• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 320 - 10,000

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Leica M Monochrom

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 32 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    17 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 Olympus E-M5

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.86 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.68x vs 0.58x
    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
  • 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 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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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  • Body Only
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  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Silver)
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Review Excerpt

  • Attractive body design; Well-built, weather-sealed body; Excellent image quality; Excellent image stabilization; Very fast autofocus.

  • Exposure compensation dial changes easily; Small buttons; No in-camera chromatic aberration correction; Bundled flash is weak; Video compression artifacts with rapidly-moving subjects.

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-M1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-M1

Leica M Monochrom
Olympus E-M1
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic G3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G3

Leica M Monochrom
Panasonic G3
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Panasonic G3

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Olympus E-M5
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M5 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)

Olympus E-M5
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M5 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)

Compared to Olympus E-P5

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-P5
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-P5

Leica M Monochrom
Olympus E-P5
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Olympus E-P5

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