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Canon R3 vs Leica M9

Portability
52
Imaging
77
Features
93
Overall
83
Canon EOS R3 front
 
Leica M9 front
Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49

Canon R3 vs Leica M9 Key Specs

Canon R3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 6000 x 3164 video
  • Canon RF Mount
  • 1015g - 150 x 143 x 87mm
  • Revealed September 2021
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
  • Released September 2009
  • Replacement is Leica M9-P
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Canon R3 vs Leica M9 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Canon R3 versus Leica M9, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by brands Canon and Leica. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the R3 (24MP) and M9 (18MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The R3 was released 12 years later than the M9 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Canon R3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a simple view of how the R3 matches up against the M9 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon R3 over the Leica M9

 R3 M9 
ReleasedSeptember 2021September 2009Fresher by 147 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution4150k230kCrisper display (+3920k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Canon R3

 M9 R3 

Common features in the Canon R3 and Leica M9

 R3 M9 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Canon R3 vs Leica M9 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon R3 provides outer measurements of 150mm x 143mm x 87mm (5.9" x 5.6" x 3.4") and a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) and the Leica M9 has dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs).

Contrast the Canon R3 versus Leica M9 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the R3 compared to the M9.

Canon R3 vs Leica M9 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the R3 and M9 is 52 and 79 respectively.

Canon R3 vs Leica M9 top view buttons comparison

Canon R3 vs Leica M9 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing simply by looking through specs. The graphic underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the R3 and M9.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Canon R3 to render greater detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The newer R3 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon R3 vs Leica M9 sensor size comparison

Canon R3 vs Leica M9 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon R3 vs Leica M9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon R3 Portrait photography factors
Leica M9 Portrait photography factors
86
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
69
has manual focus
decent MP (18MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Canon R3 Street photography highlights
Leica M9 Street photography highlights
70
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
features touch focus
weather proofing
very good high ISO (102,400)
heavier than average in class (1,015 grams)
65
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon R3
Sports photography with Leica M9
88
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/64,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery (760 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
44
decent MP (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (350 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon R3 as a Travel photography camera
Leica M9 as a Travel photography camera
70
good battery (760 shots)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
features touch focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
selfie friendly screen
heavier than average in class (1,015g)
54
decent MP (18MP)
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (350 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon R3 as a Landscape photography camera
Leica M9 as a Landscape photography camera
86
manual focus
change lenses (Canon RF mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good high ISO (102,400)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
good battery (760 CIPA)
has double storage slots
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
decent MP (18MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (350 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon R3 Vlogging details
Leica M9 Vlogging details
70
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (6000 x 3164 pxls)
comes with mic port
heavier than average in class (1,015g)
9
no video
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Canon R3 vs Leica M9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon R3 and Leica M9
 Canon EOS R3Leica M9
General Information
Company Canon Leica
Model Canon EOS R3 Leica M9
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2021-09-14 2009-09-09
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type Stacked CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 5212 x 3472
Highest native ISO 102400 2500
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 1053 -
Lens
Lens mount Canon RF Leica M
Available lenses 27 59
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 4,150 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (rangefinder)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.68x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/64000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 6000x3164 (60p/​50p/​30p/​24p/​23.98p) 4096x2160 (120p/​60p/​30p/​24p/​23.98p) 3840x2160 (120p/​60p/​30p/​23.98p) 1920x1080 (60p/​30p/​23.98p) -
Highest video resolution 6000x3164 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Yes None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1015g (2.24 lb) 585g (1.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 150 x 143 x 87mm (5.9" x 5.6" x 3.4") 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 96 69
DXO Color Depth score 25.0 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score 14.7 11.7
DXO Low light score 4086 884
Other
Battery life 760 images 350 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E19 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/ SDHC/ SDXC (UHS-II supported) + CFexpress Type B SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Two Single
Launch price $6,000 $2,750