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Canon 1D vs Leica M9

Portability
50
Imaging
43
Features
43
Overall
43
Canon EOS-1D front
 
Leica M9 front
Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49

Canon 1D vs Leica M9 Key Specs

Canon 1D
(Full Review)
  • 4MP - APS-H Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1585g - 156 x 158 x 80mm
  • Launched December 2001
  • New Model is Canon 1D MII
Leica M9
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 2500
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 585g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Announced September 2009
  • Refreshed by Leica M9-P
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Canon 1D vs Leica M9 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Canon 1D and Leica M9, one is a Pro DSLR and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Canon and Leica. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the 1D (4MP) and M9 (18MP) and the 1D (APS-H) and M9 (Full frame) possess different sensor sizes.

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The 1D was introduced 8 years prior to the M9 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Canon 1D being a Large SLR camera and the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a short introduction of how the 1D grades vs the M9 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1D over the Leica M9

 1D M9 

Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Canon 1D

 M9 1D 
AnnouncedSeptember 2009December 2001More modern by 94 months
Display dimension2.5"2"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution230k120kClearer display (+110k dot)

Common features in the Canon 1D and Leica M9

 1D M9 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Canon 1D vs Leica M9 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon 1D features outside measurements of 156mm x 158mm x 80mm (6.1" x 6.2" x 3.1") with a weight of 1585 grams (3.49 lbs) and the Leica M9 has dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon 1D and Leica M9 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the 1D compared to the M9.

Canon 1D vs Leica M9 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the 1D and M9 is 50 and 79 respectively.

Canon 1D vs Leica M9 top view buttons comparison

Canon 1D vs Leica M9 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes purely by reading through a spec sheet. The image here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the 1D and M9.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The 1D with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Leica M9 will give greater detail using its extra 14MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged 1D is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon 1D vs Leica M9 sensor size comparison

Canon 1D vs Leica M9 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 1D vs Leica M9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 1D as a Portrait photography camera
Leica M9 as a Portrait photography camera
52
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-H)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (4 megapixels)
69
you can focus manually
MP count decent (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Canon 1D Street photography info
Leica M9 Street photography info
48
nice sensor size (APS-H)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (1,585 grams)
65
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1D as a Sports photography camera
Leica M9 as a Sports photography camera
50
max shutter speed is good (1/16,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-H)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (4 megapixels)
44
MP count decent (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (350 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 1D
Travel photography with Leica M9
38
environment proofing
more heavy than average in class (1,585g)
low resolution sensor (4MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
54
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery (350 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 1D Landscape photography highlights
Leica M9 Landscape photography highlights
49
focusing manually
swap lenses (Canon EF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-H)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
tiny screen (2")
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (4MP)
60
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
MP count decent (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (350 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 1D
Vlogging with Leica M9
9
can't record video
9
no video shooting
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Canon 1D vs Leica M9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1D and Leica M9
 Canon EOS-1DLeica M9
General Information
Brand Canon Leica
Model type Canon EOS-1D Leica M9
Class Pro DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2001-12-13 2009-09-09
Physical type Large SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-H Full frame
Sensor measurements 28.7 x 19.1mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 548.2mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 4 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 2464 x 1648 5212 x 3472
Maximum native ISO 3200 2500
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 45 -
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF Leica M
Amount of lenses 250 59
Focal length multiplier 1.3 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 120k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (rangefinder)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.72x 0.68x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/16000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings External Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1585g (3.49 pounds) 585g (1.29 pounds)
Dimensions 156 x 158 x 80mm (6.1" x 6.2" x 3.1") 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 69
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 884
Other
Battery life - 350 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Launch cost $4,899 $2,750