Sony NEX-7 vs Leica M Monochrom

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony NEX-7 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.

Sony NEX-7 was introduced in December 2011 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 Sony NEX-7 over Leica M Monochrom.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica M Monochrom over Sony NEX-7.

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

Sony NEX-7 has a 3.0" Tilting screen with 921k dot resolution and Leica M Monochrom has a 2.5" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Sony NEX-7 very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting.

Viewfinder

Sony NEX-7 has a built-in Electronic viewfinderLeica M Monochrom has a built-in Optical (rangefinder) viewfinder. Sony NEX-7 has 100% coverage with 1.09x (0.73x 35mm equivalent) magnification and with 0.68x magnification.

Sony NEX-7 features a 24.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 366.6 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 16,000. 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

Sony NEX-7 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 6000 x 4000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 6000 x 3376, 4240 x 2832, 4240 x 2400, 3008 x 2000, 3008 x 1688 with 3:2, 16:9 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

Sony NEX-7 has Sony E lens mount and Leica M Monochrom has Leica M lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor in Sony NEX-7 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 M Monochrom 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 Sony NEX-7 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 Sony NEX-7 nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

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

Battery

Sony NEX-7 comes with NPFW50 battery pack with battery life of 430 shots.

External Storage Slots

Sony NEX-7 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot. Leica M Monochrom has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony NEX-7, and up to 1/4000 sec on Leica M Monochrom. Sony NEX-7 can shoot continuously up to 10.0 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 ±5 EV range on Sony NEX-7 and ±3 EV range on Leica M Monochrom. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sony NEX-7 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Leica M Monochrom.

Flash

Sony NEX-7 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 6.00 m and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Proprietary. Leica M Monochrom has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Sony NEX-7 and 1/180 sec on Leica M Monochrom.

Sony NEX-7 body has dimensions of 120 x 67 x 43 mm (4.72 x 2.64 x 1.69") and Leica M Monochrom body has dimensions of 139 x 80 x 37 mm (5.47 x 3.15 x 1.46"). Sony NEX-7 weighs 400 g (0.88 lb / 14.11 oz) and Leica M Monochrom weighs 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz).

Sony NEX-7

Leica M Monochrom

120 mm

67 mm

139 mm

80 mm

67 mm

80 mm

43 mm

37 mm