• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 320 - 10,000
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Leica M Monochrom advantages over Sony NEX-6

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.86 vs 4.78 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Sony NEX-6 advantages over Leica M Monochrom

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $1000 vs $7950 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
    9.7 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    12 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

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

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica M Monochrom
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Silver)
All M Monochrom Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-6
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 16-50mm and 55-210mm Lenses
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens
All NEX-6 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; More consumer-friendly control setup than NEX-7 but more advanced (actual Mode dial) than step-down models; OLED EVF and 3-inch tilting LCD monitor provide viewfinder flexibility; Fast and decisive AF on stationary subjects, and good continuous AF on normal moving subjects; Full HD 1080p video recording at up to 60p.

  • Hybrid AF system speed and accuracy still lags somewhat behind higher-end DSLRs; Wi-Fi features still rudimentary (join the club); LCD is not a touchscreen; User interface foibles.

  • Read our Sony NEX-6 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-F3

Leica M Monochrom
Sony NEX-F3
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-F3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-F3

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Leica M Monochrom
Sony NEX-5R
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-5R
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-5R

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

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Sony NEX-6
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Compared to 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)

Sony NEX-6
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

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

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Sony NEX-6
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

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