Nikon D100 vs Leica M10

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D100 and the Leica M10, 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.

Nikon D100 was introduced in July 2002 and Leica M10 was introduced in January 2017. 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 Nikon D100 over Leica M10.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica M10 over Nikon D100.

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

Nikon D100 has a 1.8" screen with 118k dot resolution and Leica M10 has a 3.0" screen with 1,037k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Viewfinder

Nikon D100 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderLeica M10 has a built-in Optical (rangefinder) viewfinder. Nikon D100 has 95% coverage with 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Leica M10 has 100% coverage with 0.73x magnification.

Nikon D100 features a 6.1 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 369.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 200 - 1,600. Leica M10 features a 24 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.8 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 571.2 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 50,000.

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

Nikon D100 can take pictures up to 3008 x 2000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2240 x 1488, 1504 x 1000 with 3:2 aspect ratios. 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.

Lens Mount

Nikon D100 has Nikon F lens mount and Leica M10 has Leica M lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor in Nikon D100 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5. Due to Full Frame sensor in Leica M10 its crop factor 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 Nikon D100 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Leica M10 nothing can be done. On Leica M10 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D100 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

Nikon D100 has a USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.

Battery

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

External Storage Slots

Nikon D100 has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA), MicroDrive card slot. Leica M10 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.

Shutter

Nikon D100 has Electronic assist shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D100, and up to 1/4000 sec on Leica M10. Nikon D100 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Leica M10 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Leica M10 ranges from -1 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D100 and ±3 EV range on Leica M10. You can also do exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D100 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Leica M10.

Flash

Nikon D100 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 11.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash. Leica M10 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on both cameras.

Nikon D100 body has dimensions of 144 x 116 x 81 mm (5.67 x 4.57 x 3.19") and Leica M10 body has dimensions of 139 x 39 x 80 mm (5.47 x 1.54 x 3.15"). Nikon D100 weighs 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz) and Leica M10 weighs 660 g (1.46 lb / 23.28 oz).

Nikon D100

Leica M10

144 mm

116 mm

139 mm

39 mm

116 mm

39 mm

81 mm

80 mm