• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 320 - 10,000

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Differences

Canon 7D advantages over Leica M Monochrom

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    22 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica M Monochrom advantages over Canon 7D

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.86 vs 4.30 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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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Buy the Canon 7D
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm lens
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Buy the Leica M Monochrom
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Silver)
All M Monochrom Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 18-megapixel sensor with impressively low noise and superb detail; Very good high ISO performance, especially for 18-megapixel subframe sensor; Rugged construction with magnesium body and weather sealing; Fast autofocus and fast burst rate of 8 fps; Full HD (1920x1080) movies at 30/25/24p, 60/50p at 1280x720.

  • No dedicated AF-assist lamp (flash is used), and AF-assist adjustment is buried in the Flash Settings menu; Kit lens (28-135mm) isn't quite up to the resolving power of the 18-megapixel sensor, odd focal length for subframe DSLR; No continuous autofocus in Movie mode.

  • Read our Canon 7D Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 7D
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Less shutter lag
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Canon 7D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Leica M Monochrom
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Canon 60D

Canon 7D
Canon 60D
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 7D vs Canon 60D

Leica M Monochrom
Canon 60D
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Canon 60D

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon 7D
Nikon D7000
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 7D vs Nikon D7000

Leica M Monochrom
Nikon D7000
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Sony A77

Canon 7D
Sony A77
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon 7D vs Sony A77

Leica M Monochrom
Sony A77
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Sony A77

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Canon 7D
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon 7D 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)

Compare Other Cameras?