• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 320 - 10,000

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Differences

Nikon D5100 advantages over Leica M Monochrom

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $900 vs $7950 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.9 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 10000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica M Monochrom advantages over Nikon D5100

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.86 vs 4.79 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.68x vs 0.52x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

  • Side-mounted tilt / swivel LCD screen; same sensor and processing as the Nikon D7000; good speed and battery life; in-camera HDR and filter effects; Full HD video capture with aperture control; audio levels control and external microphone jack.

  • AF-S lens mount doesn't offer autofocus with screw-drive lenses; popup flash isn't the greatest; no built-in wireless flash control; HDR function doesn't microalign source images.

  • Read our Nikon D5100 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A55

Nikon D5100
Sony A55
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A55

Leica M Monochrom
Sony A55
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D5100
Sony A33
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A33

Leica M Monochrom
Sony A33
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Sony A33

Compared to Sony A57

Nikon D5100
Sony A57
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A57

Leica M Monochrom
Sony A57
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Sony A57

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Nikon D5100
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Leica M Monochrom
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Nikon D5100
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Leica M Monochrom
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

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