Picking out the perfect monochrome camera for black and white photography may seem like a daunting task. However, if you thought that black and white photography was dead, think again. Even if you’re a photographer used to shooting in full color, picking out the right monochrome camera can help you expand and capture some amazing black and white images. And the benefits of a monochrome camera far exceed just being able to capture black and white images. In this post, we’ll look at the best monochrome cameras and how they can take you to the next level.
What is a Monochrome Camera?
Simply put, a monochrome camera is a camera that only captures differing amounts of light as opposed to different colors. Monochrome cameras only show one single color, utilizing only lightness values of each pixel to create the photo. In comparison, a standard camera is able to capture colors from across the spectrum.
Most monochrome cameras are used in black and white photography, but it’s important to note that monochrome is not only used for black and white. Many monochrome cameras can also shoot in different shades of other colors, such as cyan, sepia, or brown.
Why Buy a Monochrome Camera
The most obvious reason to buy a monochrome camera is if you are a photographer wanting to shoot black and white. Purchasing a monochrome-specific camera does keep you limited since you can’t capture color images, but there are a few reasons why a monochrome camera might be the right fit for you.
Perhaps most importantly, monochrome camera sensors are more sensitive to light than color cameras. This means that you’ll be able to capture low light images far better than you could with a color sensor. A monochrome sensor is able to achieve better low light performance because the monochrome sensor avoids using a Color Filter Array. Without getting into the details of a camera sensor, this essentially just allows more photos of light to reach the sensor, making a monochrome sensor more sensitive to light than a color sensor.
Monochrome cameras often are able to have much higher frame rates than standard color cameras. Since each pixel on a monochrome sensor can only be a maximum of 12 bits (compared to 16 bits on a color sensor), there is less data to be processed. This results in faster processing times and the ability to take more photos before reaching the image buffer.
Best Monochrome Cameras
Leica M11 Monochrom Digital Rangefinder Camera
Why We Chose This Camera:
The M11 is small, discreet, and boasts a 60 megapixel sensor with incredible dynamic range in low light situations. This allows you to capture phenomenal images and leave no detail left behind.
Key Features:
- Monochrome BSI CMOS sensor with triple resolution
- 60/36/18MP
- Leica M-mount
- Base ISO 125
- Max ISO 200,000
- 256GB internal memory
- Designated monochrome camera
Overview:
The Leica M11 is a black and white photographer’s dream. A base ISO of 125 is the lowest ever seen in a M Monochrome camera before, and a maximum ISO of 200,000 allows you to capture images in very low light. The M11 has the highest dynamic range yet for a Leica monochrome camera, and includes a 60 megapixel sensor to capture every last detail in your scene.
Despite boasting these impressive specs, the M11 remains small and compact, and the all black finish keeps this camera discreet. This is perfect for photographers who want to remain stealthy. Leica uses a high quality aluminum top cover and a scratch resistant black paint finish, and this camera really does look nice. If you’re looking for the absolute top of the line performance in your monochrome camera, the M11 should absolutely be on the top of your list.
You can read more about this camera at: New Leica M11 Monochrom Camera: What to Expect
Leica Q2 Monochrom Compact Digital Camera
Why We Chose This Camera:
The Q2 is a great way to get started with black and white photography with an excellent image sensor and a fixed 28mm f/1.7 lens.
Key Features:
- Monochrome sensor
- 47.3MP
- Fixed 28mm f/1.7 lens
- Base ISO 100
- Max ISO 100,000
- No internal memory
- Designated monochrome camera
Overview:
Leica’s Q2 Monochrom Compact Digital Camera was the first ever full frame compact camera ever to be made with a dedicated monochrome sensor. This camera benefits from IP52-rated weather sealing, meaning you’ll be able to keep shooting even in some of the toughest conditions. The menu is very easy to navigate since there are no color settings present. Its 47.3 megapixels and a maximum ISO of 100,000 ensure great image quality and high details, even at the maximum ISO. The camera comes fixed with a 28mm f/1.7 lens, meaning that everything you need to get started comes in the box.
Similar to other Leica cameras, the Q2 comes in a modern, simplistic black camera body. This helps to keep the camera discreet and stealthy for photography where stealth is important. Finally, there are a variety of different accessories compatible with the Q2, including color filters to control contrast and tonality in-camera.
You can read more about this camera at: Leica Q2 Digital Camera: Hands-On Review with Ana Linares
Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome DSLR Camera Body
Why We Chose This Camera:
The Pentax K-3 Mark III’s three different shooting modes are excellent for photographers to create images their own way in camera, without having to rely on heavy editing to create certain effects.
Key Features:
- Monochrome-specific CMOS image sensor
- 25.73MP
- Pentax K-mount
- Base ISO 200
- Max ISO 1,600,000
- No internal memory
- Designated monochrome camera
The Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome DSLR Camera Body is based on Pentax’s flagship APS-C camera, the Pentax K-3 Mark III. A new, monochrome specific image sensor is used in this camera to give you the absolute highest quality monochrome images at 25.73 megapixels. The K-3 Mark III promises an excellent natural bokeh effect, rich gradation, and extra-fine sharpness out of this designated monochrome camera.
Photographers that shoot handheld will appreciate the advanced in-body shake reduction mechanism, which helps you get sharp photos when you have to slow down the shutter speed. Even the design of this camera reflects the concept of monochrome photography. Icons and switches on the back of the camera are finished in three different shades of gray, and even the internal menu features a black-and-white color scheme as well. Finally, the Pentax K-3 Mark III has three different shooting modes to allow you to capture the image exactly how you want. Alongside Standard mode, you can choose Hard mode to create very high-contrast images, or Soft mode, to create high-key, low-contrast images.
Best Cameras that Also Shoot Monochrome
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Camera Body/a>
Why We Chose This Camera:
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Camera is an excellent entry-level camera that allows you to switch between monochrome and color shooting modes, perfect for beginners.
Key Features:
- Micro four thirds live MOS sensor
- 20MP
- Olympus OM mount
- Base ISO 100
- Max ISO 25,600
- No internal memory
- Color sensor with a built-in monochrome option
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Camera is a great choice for a novice or intermediate photographer who wants to have the option to shoot either in color or in black and white. Offering a 20 megapixel sensor, this camera is lightweight (383g) and has a flip-down monitor, perfect for taking selfies. It’s easy to flip the camera into monochrome mode when you’re ready to start taking black and white photos.
For portrait photographers, face and eye detection makes it easy to nail the focus on every shot. An improved 5-axis image stabilization gives 4.5 stops of compensation for photographers who shoot on the move. Finally, for entry-level photographers, Scene mode optimizes the settings for you according to the subject and scene, allowing you to focus on the composition, rather than trying to spend your time figuring out the camera settings. If you’re new to photography and aren’t sure if you want to shoot in color or black and white, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV might be the perfect choice for you.
You can read more about this camera at: First Look: Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
Fujifilm GFX50S II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Why We Chose This Camera:
The GFX50S II is a great camera for those that want to move to large format and have the option to shoot both in color or in monochrome mode.
Key Features:
- Large Format CMOS Image Sensor
- 51.4MP
- Fujifilm G-mount
- Base ISO 100
- Max ISO 12,800
- No Internal Memory
- Color Sensor with a Built-In Monochrome Option
Boasting a large camera sensor in a compact build, the Fujifilm GFX50S is an excellent choice of a camera for black and white photography. Inherently, this camera shoots color images. Although, it has the option to switch to monochrome mode to take black and white images. 6.5 stops of internal body image stabilization will help you get sharp photos at lower shutter speeds, and 51.4 megapixels will leave no detail left behind. Sensor readout speeds of 250fps ensure razor sharp focus, even for rapidly moving subjects.
The GFX50S II gives photographers a great camera to move up to large format on. This camera gives a great mix of accessibility and flexibility, offering excellent results for all kinds of photographers. Internally, the camera contains 19 different film simulations, advanced autofocusing, and a wide variety of exposure controls, allowing you to create exactly the image you dreamed of in camera. The Fujifilm GFX50S II is an excellent camera for the creator whose creativity knows no boundaries.
You can read more about this camera at: Fujifilm Presents the New GFX 50SII Camera and Lenses
Final Thoughts
Having a fully dedicated monochrome camera can help you achieve the absolute best image quality, while having a camera with a monochrome option will give you versatility to do many different kinds of photography. At the end of the time, picking out the right camera for you is going to depend on exactly what you want to get out of the camera, as well as your budget. Utilize this list in order to help you choose the best monochrome camera for black and white photography!
