Leica
M10 Monochrom
40MP black-and-white-only digital M with no color filter array for maximum monochrome acuity.
$8,395
Launch priceReleased Jan 2020
Sony
Alpha 1 II
50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.
$6,499
Launch priceReleased Nov 2024
Alpha 1 II is 4.8 years newer.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Wins
M10 Monochrom
Wins
Alpha 1 II
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 1 II has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 49)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 3,690,000)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher EVF refresh rate (240 Hz vs 120 Hz)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 120 frames)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareM10 Monochrom
139 × 80 × 39 mm
660 g (1.46 lb / 23.28 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
M10 Monochrom is 17mm shorter and 44mm thinner than Alpha 1 II but it is also 3mm wider.
M10 Monochrom is 83 g lighter than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 39mm M10 Monochrom · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Sensor size, to scale
M10 Monochrom
35.8 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
856 mm² area
Alpha 1 II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
M10 Monochrom: mount data unavailable
Alpha 1 II
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
M10 Monochrom
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 139, 80, 39
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 520 shots — higher is better
Weight
660 g vs 743 g — lower is better
AF frame coverage
100 % vs 94 % — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 1 II
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
AF points / zones
759 vs 49 — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
AA filter
Only Alpha 1 II supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
M10 Monochrom
Pros
- ✓40MP monochrome sensor
- ✓No Bayer filter
- ✓Stunning B&W files
- ✓Classic M body
Cons
- –Monochrome only
- –Manual focus
- –Very niche
Alpha 1 II
Pros
- ✓50MP stacked sensor
- ✓30fps blackout-free burst
- ✓8K 30p video
- ✓Best Sony AF
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Complex menus
- –Large files
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the M10 Monochrom and Alpha 1 II at major authorized retailers.
Leica M10 Monochrom
Sony Alpha 1 II
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, M10 Monochrom or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 10.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for M10 Monochrom — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the M10 Monochrom and Alpha 1 II?
M10 Monochrom is 40.89 MP and Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the M10 Monochrom and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
M10 Monochrom has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the M10 Monochrom or the Alpha 1 II?
M10 Monochrom reaches 20 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the M10 Monochrom and Alpha 1 II?
M10 Monochrom weighs 660 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the M10 Monochrom is 83 g lighter.
Do the M10 Monochrom and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
M10 Monochrom: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the M10 Monochrom and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
M10 Monochrom: Yes. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the M10 Monochrom and 520 shots for the Alpha 1 II, giving the M10 Monochrom the edge.
How much does each cost?
M10 Monochrom launched at $8,395 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The Alpha 1 II is $1,896 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way M10 Monochrom vs Alpha 1 II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Leica and Sony press materials.