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Leica M-Monochrom vs YI M1

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
YI M1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
60
Features
66
Overall
62

Leica M-Monochrom vs YI M1 Key Specs

Leica M-Monochrom
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 10000
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 600g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Announced May 2012
YI M1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 350g - 114 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched September 2016
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Leica M-Monochrom vs YI M1 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Leica M-Monochrom vs YI M1, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Leica and YI. The image resolution of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and the M1 (20MP) is pretty well matched but the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and M1 (Four Thirds) feature different sensor measurements.

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The M-Monochrom was manufactured 5 years prior to the M1 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the M-Monochrom scores vs the M1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the YI M1

 M-Monochrom M1 

Reasons to pick YI M1 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 M1 M-Monochrom 
LaunchedSeptember 2016May 2012Newer by 53 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and YI M1

 M-Monochrom M1 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs YI M1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica M-Monochrom offers outside measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the YI M1 has measurements of 114mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 350 grams (0.77 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica M-Monochrom vs YI M1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the M-Monochrom vs the M1.

Leica M-Monochrom vs YI M1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M-Monochrom and M1 is 78 and 87 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs YI M1 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs YI M1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading through specifications. The pic underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the M-Monochrom and M1.

Plainly, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The M-Monochrom because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the YI M1 will give extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged M-Monochrom is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Leica M-Monochrom vs YI M1 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs YI M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Portrait photography camera
YI M1 as a Portrait photography camera
71
has manual focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
76
manual focus
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Street photography with YI M1
65
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
74
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Sports photography with YI M1
45
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
55
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
better than average battery pack (450 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Travel photography with YI M1
54
megapixel count good (18MP)
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly display
78
better than average battery pack (450 CIPA)
supports bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
good MP (20MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography details
YI M1 Landscape photography details
58
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5")
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery pack (350 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (450 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Vlogging advice
YI M1 Vlogging advice
9
no video
33
touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone support
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Leica M-Monochrom vs YI M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and YI M1
 Leica M-MonochromYI M1
General Information
Company Leica YI
Model type Leica M-Monochrom YI M1
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-05-10 2016-09-19
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5212 x 3472 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 10000 25600
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 81
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 59 107
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Min shutter speed 32 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Slow
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 75 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC
Maximum video resolution None 4096x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 lb) 350g (0.77 lb)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 114 x 64 x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 450 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $7,950 $320