Leica M10 vs Sony NEX-5: A Tale of Two Mirrorless Cameras from Different Worlds

Choosing a camera can feel like navigating a labyrinth - especially when pitting a $7,600 luxury icon like the Leica M10 against a groundbreaking $600 entry-level mirrorless wonder such as Sony’s NEX-5. Both are mirrorless, both hail from the "rangefinder-style" lineage, yet they cater to drastically different photographers and shooting philosophies. After hours spent shooting, scrutinizing images pixel-by-pixel, and juggling specs with real-world trials, I'm here to unpack what you can truly expect from these two cameras side by side.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro pondering an investment in a boutique masterpiece or a budding enthusiast hunting for a versatile budget option, let's dive deep into how these cameras stack up across all the major photography disciplines, technical characteristics, and user experience factors. Buckle up - it's going to be an enlightening ride.

When Size Isn’t Just a Number: The Physical Feel and Ergonomics

Anybody who's wielded a Leica M10 knows it doesn’t just sit in your hands - it commands a presence. At 139x80x39 mm and 660 grams, the M10 carries a hefty but reassuring heft befitting its all-metal, rangefinder-style body. Contrast that with the Sony NEX-5, a sprightly 111x59x38 mm and 287 grams, which feels delightfully lightweight - even pocketable by some standards.

From my experience, the M10’s size and control layout suit photographers who prefer a deliberate shooting style, where every frame counts. The weight aids stability, but the absence of an electronic viewfinder means you rely on the iconic optical rangefinder window - an experience purists treasure but which newcomers might find challenging.

The NEX-5, by contrast, is a nimble playground for grab-and-go shooters or street photographers craving discretion. Its smaller body is less imposing, yet its control markings can feel a bit tight for larger hands, and the lack of a built-in viewfinder nudges you toward relying on the rear screen or an external EVF (sold separately).

Will you comfortably lug the M10 all day? Depends on your commitment - touring the urban jungle or hiking landscapes? Meanwhile, the NEX-5 seduces with portability but at the expense of some handling comfort and durability.

First Impressions: Control Layout and Design Philosophy

Let's glance down at the tops of these beauties - you'll notice a clear contrast in design ethos.

The Leica M10 sticks to a minimalist, classic approach: fewer dials, physical shutter speed knob, and no autofocus-related buttons because well... it has none. This camera is manual focus territory only, instantly classifying itself within a very niche group who cherish the pure rangefinder experience. Everything feels analog, tactile, and raw.

The Sony NEX-5 features more modern digital controls and conveniently clusters buttons for exposure compensation, ISO, and a command dial for quick setting changes. Its built-in modes cater to casual and enthusiast users. Interestingly, the NEX-5 boasts a continuous shooting speed of 7 frames per second - useful for action - while the Leica maxes out at a sedate 5 fps.

In my hands, the Leica’s layout demands patience and respect for craft. The Sony's more conventional digital controls make it immediately accessible to point-click enthusiasts and those transitioning from compact cameras.

Inside the Engine: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

All the prettiness outside only matters if what’s inside delivers stunning images, right? Time to peek under the hood at sensor size, resolution, and raw image quality.

Leica M10: boasting a full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor measuring 35.8x23.9 mm, the M10 delivers a vast 855.6 mm² sensor area that allows for exquisite detail, rich color depth (24.4 bits per DxO reports), and a fantastic dynamic range of 13.3 stops. Its native ISO spans from 100 up to a lofty 50,000, with usable results even beyond ISO 2000 in controlled tests, denoted by its high DxO low-light score of 2133.

Sony NEX-5: sports an APS-C sized 14MP CMOS sensor (23.4x15.6 mm) with roughly 365 mm² sensor area. While smaller and lower resolution (14MP), it impresses for its time with punchy color depth (22.2 bits) and respectable dynamic range (12.2 stops). ISO maxes at 12,800, with usable results below ISO 800 evidenced by a more modest low-light ranking of 796.

In practical shooting sessions, the M10 yields cleaner files with more latitude for highlight/shadow recovery - a boon for landscape and portrait photography where detail and skin tone rendition are critical. Meanwhile, the NEX-5 can perform solidly in daylight and moderate low-light but inevitably shows more noise and less fine detail in shadow areas.

The Leica’s sensor alone puts it leagues ahead for image quality purists, and that’s before considering its famed Leica lenses.

Viewing and Composing: Screens and Viewfinders

Shooting with precision demands reliable composing tools, so let's contrast the M10’s classic rangefinder viewfinder with the NEX-5’s rear LCD.

The Leica M10 offers no electronic viewfinder, placing it squarely in the rangefinder experience camp. Its optical finder has 0.73x magnification with 100% coverage, ideal for manual focusing aficionados. However, no exposure preview or focus assist is possible, which can frustrate those used to modern aids.

Contrast this to the Sony NEX-5’s tilting 3" LCD screen with reasonable 920k-dot resolution - bright, sharp, and offering live view with exposure preview and focus peaking support. That tilting design is a boon for shooting at awkward angles or selfies (even if the NEX-5 lacks a front-facing camera). Still, it lacks a built-in EVF, so you either compose on screen or attach an external viewfinder.

My shooting tests confirmed: Leica's viewfinder forces deliberate focusing and framing, rewarding patience with signature Leica image character. Sony’s screen makes spontaneous shooting easier but offers less precision.

Let’s Talk Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Usability

Autofocus - it’s the invisible assistant or sometimes the bane of a shooter’s existence. How do these cameras fare?

The Leica M10 sticks to pure manual focus. No AF system exists, no focus points, no assistance. It’s a tool for those who embrace manual focusing as an art.

The Sony NEX-5 sports a 25-point contrast-detection autofocus system (fair for its vintage era), supports single, continuous AF, and offers multi-area AF modes. Face detection is unfortunately absent - surprising for a camera of 2010 - but the AF is generally reliable in good light.

In real-world scenarios like street or event shoots, the NEX-5’s AF can pleasantly surprise but struggles in low light or fast-moving subjects; hunting focus is common. The M10 - well, it’s only for practitioners committed to focus precision by eye, aided by manual focus methods like zone focusing or rangefinder patch confirmation.

If autofocus is a high priority - say for wildlife or fast sports - neither is ideal by modern standards, but the NEX-5 is undeniably more versatile.

Shutter Mechanics and Burst Performance: How Fast Can You Go?

The M10 offers a mechanical shutter speed range of 8 to 1/4000 sec, with no electronic shutter option. Its burst rate caps at 5 fps, which can suffice for casual street or portraiture burst sequences but less so for action.

The Sony NEX-5 maxes out shutter speed also at 1/4000 sec but extends minimum shutter speed to 30 seconds for long exposures. It tops at 7 fps continuous shooting, making it broadly more capable for action and casual sports.

In testing, the NEX was able to capture quick sequences without hiccups (within its buffer limits), whereas the M10’s slower burst speed hampers action shooters wanting to nail that decisive moment.

Portraits: Rendering Skin and Bokeh

Anyone seeking ultimate portrait skin tonality and subject separation will want to focus here.

The Leica M10, paired with Leica-mount primes (famed for their micro-contrast and buttery bokeh), produces luscious skin tones that are natural but flattering. Its 24MP full-frame sensor combined with the optical rangefinder's manual focus facilitates supreme control over focus placement - eye focus precision being paramount for portraits.

The Sony NEX-5, limited by a lower MP APS-C sensor and lesser native glass (though Sony E-mount has grown massively over the years), can still shoot pleasing portraits in good light but with harsher skin rendering and less graceful bokeh. AF face detection absence is a drawback here.

For portrait photographers with patience, the Leica is a dream. For quick, affordable portraits, the Sony is an effective entry-level tool.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Considerations

Leica’s strong dynamic range and sensor detail shone brilliantly in landscape testing. Recovering details in high-contrast scenes (think sun-dappled forests) proved effortless with the M10’s sensor and 24MP resolution.

One caveat: no weather-sealing on either camera - disappointing for Leica’s price premium. Sony’s NEX-5, also unsealed, is less of a financial heartbreak if it needs weather-protected housing.

Sony's APS-C sensor combined with tilting LCD provides flexibility for framing landscapes at odd angles but has limitations in high-contrast scenarios where shadow detail tends to eat noise.

Top tip for shooters: Use RAW format on either to maximize post-processing advantage.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed, Autofocus, and Telephoto Support

Neither camera is reputation-rich for wildlife or sports, but the Sony NEX-5 is relatively better suited due to faster burst (7 fps vs 5 fps M10) and autofocus capability - even if basic contrast detection only.

Telephoto lens availability varies: Sony’s E-mount boasts over 120 lenses, including excellent telephoto zooms for wildlife, whereas Leica’s M-mount primes are mostly short focal length primes (no native super-telephoto zooms), limiting reach.

In practice, chasing birds or fast sports with the M10 manual focus and 5 fps burst is more a test of patience and skill than speed. The NEX-5’s AF can keep subjects roughly tracked, especially if you pre-focus.

Street Photography: Discretion and Responsiveness

The Leica M10 is a cultural icon precisely because of its rangefinder stealth: near-silent shutter, small physical profile relative to DSLR, and effortless zone focusing. This makes it a top pick for street photographers who value invisibility and control.

The Sony NEX-5 is more obtrusive with its mirrorless body and louder shutter but benefits from faster AF and burst rates for unpredictable street action. The shorter 16-50mm (or similar) zoom lenses available enhance versatility here.

The M10 requires a seasoned street shooter’s confidence - manual focus and deliberate framing - while the NEX-5 caters well to entry-level users craving quick reflexes.

Macro and Close-Up: Precision Focus and Magnification

Neither camera is tailored for macro, but the NEX-5’s autofocus and lens ecosystem provide more options for dedicated or budget macro lenses. The Leica M-mount system has some close-focus primes but manual focus again tests patience.

Focus stacking and bracketing aren’t supported by either, so macro enthusiasts must rely on manual techniques and precise focus.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO and Exposure Control

Leica’s high ISO ceiling (native up to 50,000) and excellent low-light noise performance shine here. The M10 allows long exposures (up to 8 sec minimum shutter speed), though lack of built-in stabilization means a sturdy tripod is mandatory.

Sony’s NEX-5 offers longer exposures (up to 30 seconds) and max ISO 12,800, but files get noisy quickly. Its lack of in-body stabilization or effective noise reduction tech from this era hobbles low-light shooting.

In my astro tests, Leica’s files had cleaner starfields and less color noise - crucial for serious night shooters.

Video Capabilities: What About Moving Pictures?

Leica M10 is a stills-only camera - no video recording at all, a clear limitation for multimedia shooters.

Sony NEX-5 offers HD video up to 1080p at 60fps with AVCHD encoding, sporting manual exposure controls and external mic input (no headphone out). While primitive by today’s standards, it was notable for 2010.

Video shooters must pick the NEX-5; the M10 is a photographic stills artisan’s tool.

Travel Photography: Versatility, Battery Life, and Convenience

Battery life: Sony’s NEX-5 impresses with about 330 shots per charge versus Leica’s modest 210 shots. For travel days, that difference can matter.

Sony’s lighter weight and tilting screen make it easier to shoot casual travel images and videos without fatigue.

The M10’s rugged full-metal build encourages long-term reliability but demands more care with fragile, expensive lenses.

Professional Workflows and Reliability

Leica M10 caters to a professional clientele who demand impeccable build, high-res RAW files, and extensive lens control. Its proprietary Maestro II processor promises stable, consistent output, perfect for commercial clients. However, its manual focus restriction limits rapid shooting scenarios.

Sony NEX-5, aimed at amateurs, lacks advanced tethering or robust file format support but remains reliable for day-to-day use.

Neither offers weather sealing or modern wireless features (Wi-Fi on Leica is basic; Sony has none), which pros may find limiting compared to newer models.

Connectivity and Storage

Sony supports HDMI out and USB 2.0, plus memory slots for both SD and Memory Stick Duo - a rarity. Leica has built-in wireless but no USB or HDMI ports, making file transfers potentially slower.

Both accept standard SD cards, with single slots - so no backup redundancy.

Price-to-Performance: What Are You Really Paying For?

At an eye-watering $7,600, the Leica M10 invests you into a storied system, premium craftsmanship, and image quality that stands apart. It's as much a statement piece as a tool - ideal for those who find joy in manual focus and timeless design.

The Sony NEX-5, at roughly $600, punches well above its weight by delivering decent image quality, video, and versatility in a compact package. Great for starters or budget-conscious travelers.

Their value is thus not comparable on a linear scale but through the prism of intent and priorities.

Overall Performance Scores and Genre-specific Strengths

The Leica dominates in image quality, low-light performance, and build but scores zero on video and autofocus. The Sony fills the entry-level niche with respectable autofocus, decent video, and portability but falls behind on sensor tech and dynamic range.

• Portrait: Leica reigns undefeated.
• Landscape: Leica leads, but Sony remains functional.
• Wildlife/Sports: Sony NEX-5 has the edge due to AF and burst rates.
• Street: Leica for discretion; Sony for speed.
• Macro: Slight nod to Sony.
• Night: Strong Leica advantage.
• Video: Sony only.
• Travel: Sony for portability and battery.
• Professional: Leica only.

Sample Image Gallery: Seeing Is Believing

Leica M10 front Leica M10 screen back Sony NEX 5 front Sony NEX 5 screen back

This side-by-side reveals Leica’s detail, tonal gradation, and low noise in a portrait shot versus Sony’s sharper but noisier edges. Landscape shots exhibit Leica’s gentle highlight roll-offs compared to Sony’s compressed dynamic range.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

If you’re a professional or serious enthusiast who reveres classic rangefinder photography, prioritizes supreme image quality, and loves the tactile engagement of manual focus - you’ll find the Leica M10 a rewarding investment. It’s less a tool and more an experience, demanding patience and technical skill, but returning iconic images and sheer joy.

If you’re an enthusiast starting out, looking for a compact and affordable entry into mirrorless photography with autofocus, live view, HD video, and a broader lens ecosystem, the Sony NEX-5 remains a viable choice - especially if street or travel photography is your goal and budget is tight.

Both cameras embody the spirit of mirrorless but play to very different audiences and philosophies. There’s no wrong choice - only what fits your style, budget, and creative ambitions.

Feel free to reach out if you want a hands-on comparison with more recent cameras or lenses - my gear locker is always ready for the next test! Until then, happy shooting and may your next click be decisive.