Leica M10 vs Leica M Monochrom

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Leica M10 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 M10 was introduced in January 2017 and Leica M Monochrom was introduced in May 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

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.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica M10 over Leica M Monochrom.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica M Monochrom over Leica M10.

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.

Screen

Leica M10 has a 3.0" screen with 1,037k 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. Leica M10 has 100% coverage with 0.73x magnification and with 0.68x magnification.

Leica M10 features a 24 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.8 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 855.6 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 50,000. 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
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Leica M10 is equipped with Maestro II processor and can take pictures up to 5952 x 3992 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 5952 x 3968 (JPEG, 24MP), 4256 x 2932 (12MP), 2976 x 1984 (6MP) 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 M10 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 M10 nothing can be done.

Built-in Wi-Fi on Leica M10

Leica M10 has a built-in Wi-Fi which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

USB Inputs

Leica M Monochrom has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.

Battery

Leica M10 comes with BP-SCL5 battery pack with battery life of 210 shots.

External Storage Slots

Leica M10 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot. Leica M Monochrom has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Leica M10, and up to 1/4000 sec on Leica M Monochrom. Leica M10 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Leica M Monochrom can shoot continuously up to 2.0 fps.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Leica M10 and Leica M Monochrom range from -1 to +20 EV and 0 to +20 EV respectively and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 EV range. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Leica M10 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 both cameras.

Leica M10 body has dimensions of 139 x 39 x 80 mm (5.47 x 1.54 x 3.15") and Leica M Monochrom body has dimensions of 139 x 80 x 37 mm (5.47 x 3.15 x 1.46"). Leica M10 weighs 660 g (1.46 lb / 23.28 oz) and Leica M Monochrom weighs 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz).

Leica M10

Leica M Monochrom

139 mm

39 mm

139 mm

80 mm

39 mm

80 mm

80 mm

37 mm