• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 320 - 10,000
  • 1.5 inch 233.8mm2
  • 13.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Leica M Monochrom advantages over Canon G1X Mark II

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.86 vs 4.30 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 66 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    18.0 vs 13.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Canon G1X Mark II advantages over Leica M Monochrom

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 32 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.3 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica M Monochrom

Review Excerpt

  • Wider, longer, faster lens than predecessor, with good overall optical quality; Faster AF performance; Closer macro shooting; Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC with remote shooting; Decent JPEG burst performance; Excellent build quality.

  • Localized flare issue when wide open; No real net improvement in image quality over predecessor; Slow burst mode when shooting RAW files; Poor battery life; Video quality is so-so (not like Canon DSLRs).

The Competition

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Leica M Monochrom
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video
Canon G1X Mark II
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Leica M Monochrom
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
Canon G1X Mark II
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Leica M Monochrom
Panasonic LX100
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon G1X Mark II
Panasonic LX100
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Leica M Monochrom
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video
Canon G1X Mark II
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Leica M Monochrom
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon G1X Mark II
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
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