• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 320 - 10,000

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Leica M Monochrom

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $700 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
  • 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
    10.0 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 10000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica M Monochrom advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.86 vs 4.82 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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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Review Excerpt

  • Fast autofocus and prefocused shutter lag; Quieter shutter sound; Captures 10 frames per second; Supports AVCHD 2.0.

  • Limited first-party lens selection; Slow and confusing on-screen user interface; top-mounted, proprietary accessories are quite pricey.

  • Read our Sony NEX-5N Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-3

Leica M Monochrom
Sony NEX-3
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-C3

Leica M Monochrom
Sony NEX-C3
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-5R
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs 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

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Sony NEX-5N
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony NEX-5N 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)

Sony NEX-5N
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony NEX-5N 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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