Leica M Edition 60 vs Leica M Monochrom

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Leica M Edition 60 and the Leica M Monochrom, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Leica M Edition 60 was introduced in September 2014 and Leica M Monochrom was introduced in May 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Leica M Edition 60 Highlights

      • 23.7 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 3.0" 920k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (rangefinder) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Leica M Monochrom Highlights

      • 19 MP Full Frame CCD Sensor
      • 160 - 10,000 Native ISO
      • 2.5" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (rangefinder) Viewfinder
      • 2.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Leica M Edition 60 and Leica M Monochrom.

      PROS

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Expensive
      •   No Video Capture
      •   160 Lowest Native ISO
      •   10,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.0 fps
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 350 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      •   Sensor Resolution - 23.7 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
      •   Sensor Resolution - 19 Megapixel
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz)

      Advantage of Leica M Edition 60

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica M Edition 60 over Leica M Monochrom.

      Leica M Edition 60 vs Leica M Monochrom
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 23.7 Megapixel vs 19 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 160
      Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 10,000
      Max Image Resolution 5952 x 3976 vs 5212 x 3472
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
      Higher Resolution Screen 920k dot vs 230k dot
      Live View vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 60 sec vs 32 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 2.0 fps
      Speaker Mono vs
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs
      Environmental Sealing vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Leica M Edition 60.

      Advantage of Leica M Monochrom

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica M Monochrom over Leica M Edition 60.

      Leica M Edition 60 vs Leica M Monochrom
      Lighter 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz) vs 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Leica M Monochrom.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Leica M Edition 60 Leica M Monochrom
        Large SensorFull FrameFull Frame
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Leica M Edition 60 Leica M Monochrom
        Timelapse Recording
        No Face Detection
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.0 fps2.0 fps
        Low Video Recording Limit30 min30 min
        No HDMI Output
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Leica M Edition 60 has a 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution and Leica M Monochrom has a 2.5" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Cameras have built-in Optical (rangefinder) viewfinders. with 0.68x magnification and with 0.68x magnification.

      Sensor

      Leica M Edition 60 features a 23.7 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 864 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400. Leica M Monochrom features a 19 megapixel Full Frame CCD sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 576 mm2. Its native ISO range is 160 - 10,000.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Leica M Edition 60 can take pictures up to 5952 x 3976 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4256 x 2832, 2976 x 1984, 1600 x 1080 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Leica M Monochrom can take pictures up to 5212 x 3472 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3840 x 2592, 2592 x 1728, 1728 x 1152, 1280 x 846 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Leica M lens mount. Due to their Full Frame sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Leica M Edition 60 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Leica M Monochrom nothing can be done. On Leica M Monochrom it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Leica M Edition 60 nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Leica M Edition 60, and up to 1/4000 sec on Leica M Monochrom. Leica M Edition 60 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Leica M Monochrom can shoot continuously up to 2.0 fps.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Leica M Monochrom ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 EV range. You can also do and manual exposure adjustment on Leica M Edition 60 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Leica M Monochrom.


      Flash

      Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on Leica M Monochrom.

      Physical Parameters

      Leica M Edition 60 body has dimensions of 139 x 80 x 42 mm (5.47 x 3.15 x 1.65") and Leica M Monochrom body has dimensions of 139 x 80 x 37 mm (5.47 x 3.15 x 1.46"). Leica M Edition 60 weighs 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz) and Leica M Monochrom weighs 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz).

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      139 mm

      80 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      139 mm

      80 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      80 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      80 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      42 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      37 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Leica M Edition 60 and Leica M Monochrom

      Leica M Edition 60 and Leica M Monochrom for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      GOOD
      82
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      POOR
      51
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      45
      •   10,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 350 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      44
      •   10,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 350 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      GOOD
      78
      •   Large Sensor
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      73
      •   Large Sensor
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      GOOD
      82
      •   Large Sensor
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
      GOOD
      78
      •   Large Sensor
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      GOOD
      81
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
      GOOD
      77
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 350 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Leica M Edition 60 and Leica M Monochrom and give them scores of 51 and 44 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      OVERALL
      51
      OVERALL
      44

      Sensor

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 23.7 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 19 Megapixel
      •   160 Lowest Native ISO
      •   10,000 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      AVERAGE
      58
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      BAD
      0
      •   No Face Detection
      BAD
      0
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      GOOD
      70
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

      Connectivity

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      POOR
      52
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Leica M Edition 60

      Leica M Monochrom

      GOOD
      78
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
      BAD
      39
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 350 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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