Decision tools · Compare
120N vs M11 Monochrom
Quick take: The 120N is the most affordable; only the M11 Monochrom is weather sealed.
Different kinds of camera — their specs aren't comparable, so read the rows as facts, not a contest.
18 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video, Clifton Cameras, MPB, eBay and Amazon UK
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Size comparedbody only, no lens · drawn to one scale
- 120N 140 × 102 × 76 mm · 200 g
- M11 Monochrom 139 × 80 × 38 mm · 530 g
The M11 Monochrom is 22 mm shorter, 38 mm slimmer and 330 g heavier than the 120N.
Drawn to scale from the makers' dimensions (W × H × D). Front shown, depth on the slanted edge.
Verdictwhich should you buy?
M11 Monochrom — Black & White Photography: The M11 Monochrom is the finest black-and-white camera in the world. A 60MP sensor with no colour filter array produces sharpness and tonal depth no colour camera can match — combined with extended high-ISO performance. Manual focus, no video, and an extraordinary price make it a specialist instrument, but for dedicated B&W photographers it is unmatched.
Who should buy what
M11 Monochrom (2023)
is the right camera for you if…
- Dedicated black-and-white photographers who demand the finest possible monochrome files
- Fine art and documentary photographers who work exclusively in B&W
- Leica M system users who want maximum monochrome image quality
- Astrophotographers — monochrome sensors excel at capturing fine star detail
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | 120NHolga | M11 MonochromLeica · 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £17 usedBest | £8,500 |
| Sensor | — | 60.3MP Full-Frame Monochrome BSI CMOS (no colour filter array) |
| Resolution | — | 60.3MP |
| Film | 120 roll film | — |
| Video | No video | No video |
| Autofocus | Manual zone focus | Manual focus rangefinder (no autofocus) |
| Exposure | Fixed (one shutter speed and aperture) | — |
| Burst Rate | — | 5fps |
| Battery Life | No battery needed | ~700 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 200gBest | 530g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 140 × 102 × 76 mm | 138.6 × 80.0 × 38.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | Optical (SLR) | Optical rangefinder, 0.73× magnification |
| Screen | No screen | 2.3" touchscreen LCD, 2.33M dots |
| Mount | Fixed lens | Leica M-mount |
| Lens | 60 mm f/8 | — |
| Memory Cards | — | Single SD UHS-II slot + 64GB internal storage |
| Connectivity | — | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
120N
M11 Monochrom
Fun & simple
5.8/10
—
Portrait
—
3.2/10
Street
—
6.2/10
Travel
—
3.6/10
Wedding & Events
—
2.0/10
Documentary
—
2.9/10
Sports & Action
—
2.4/10
Landscape
—
7.2/10
Wildlife
—
1.5/10
Casual
—
1.6/10
Food
—
3.0/10
Macro
—
3.8/10
Architecture
—
6.7/10
Astrophotography
—
5.9/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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