• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 320 - 10,000

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Differences

Sony A900 advantages over Leica M Monochrom

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $3000 vs $7950 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x vs 0.68x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 18.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica M Monochrom advantages over Sony A900

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.86 vs 5.94 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    600g vs 939g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    10000 vs 6400 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 Leica M Monochrom

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A850

Sony A900
Sony A850
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Leica M Monochrom
Sony A850
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A900
Nikon D800
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Leica M Monochrom
Nikon D800
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A900
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
Leica M Monochrom
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Top deck display

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Sony A900
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
Leica M Monochrom
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Sony A900
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels
Leica M Monochrom
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
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