UPDATE Nov 20,2025: Leica Q3 Monochrom added to the list
Leica Q3 Monochrom
If you are into Black&White photography and looking for a monochrome sensor camera, the options are limited. In fact, there are only 6 cameras in our database with a dedicated monochrome sensor: the Leica Q3 Monochrom, Leica M11 Monochrom, the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome, the Leica Q2 Monochrom, the Leica M10 Monochrom, and the Leica M-Monochrom (If you want to learn what a monochrome camera is and why one would need them, read the section at the end of this post).
Leica M11 Monochrome
The first three cameras are all available as new from retailers, while the Q2 Monochrom, M10 Monochrom and M Monochrom are discountinued and can only be bought used. Leica M11 Monochrom is the most expensive of the bunch at $10,160, followed by the Q3 Monochrom at $7,790. The Pentax is the most affordable new Monochrome camera with a price tag of $2,199.
Below is a size comparison of these four cameras, followed by a specs and feature comparison:
(click on the image for a larger version)
Pentax K-3 III Monochrome vs Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica Q2 Monochrom vs Leica M11 Monochrom Front View Size Comparison
Leica Q2 Monochrom vs Pentax K-3 III Monochrome vs Leica M11 Monochrom vs Leica M-Monochrom Top View Size Comparison
Pentax K-3 III Monochrome vs Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica Q2 Monochrom vs Leica M11 Monochrom Back View Size Comparison
What is a Monochrome Camera?
A monochrome camera has a special imaging sensor that captures different levels of light instead of a range of colors. It produces images in shades of a single color, using the lightness values of each pixel to create the photo. In contrast, a standard camera captures colors from across the spectrum.
Why buy a Monochrome Camera?
Monochrome camera sensors are more sensitive to light than color sensors, allowing for superior low-light image capture. This enhanced performance is possible because monochrome sensors do not use a Color Filter Array, which enables them to achieve better low-light sensitivity.
