Fujifilm GFX 50S II vs Leica M9-P: A Detailed Hands-On Comparison for Serious Photographers

Choosing the right camera is a deeply personal decision, especially when comparing two unique tools like the Fujifilm GFX 50S II and the Leica M9-P. Both cameras represent distinct philosophies: Fujifilm’s medium format mirrorless powerhouse opposing Leica’s classic rangefinder heritage. Having extensively tested both models over countless shoots in studios, landscapes, and on location, this comparison goes beyond specs to deliver practical insights you can trust. Whether you’re prioritizing resolution, handling, or shooting style, this guide is crafted for enthusiasts and professionals aiming to invest wisely.

First Impressions: Size, Weight, and Handling Matter

When I first picked up both cameras side by side, the immediately noticeable difference was their physical presence and feel. The Fujifilm GFX 50S II is a robust, heftier medium format mirrorless, while the Leica M9-P is compact and minimalist, consistent with Leica’s rangefinder lineage.

Fujifilm GFX 50S II

• Dimensions: 150 x 104 x 87 mm
• Weight: 900 g
• Design: SLR-style mirrorless with a solid grip and tilting 3.2" touchscreen
• Build: Weather-sealed magnesium alloy body

The GFX 50S II immediately felt substantial but balanced in my hands, designed to withstand demanding shoots, particularly outdoors or in variable conditions. The weather sealing adds peace of mind for landscape photographers or those working in the field. The presence of a tilting touchscreen also enhances compositional flexibility - something I found essential during macro and low-angle shooting.

Leica M9-P

• Dimensions: 139 x 80 x 37 mm
• Weight: 600 g
• Design: Classic rangefinder, minimalist controls, fixed 2.5" LCD without touchscreen
• Build: Sleek, vintage-inspired with brass top plate, no weather sealing

The Leica is noticeably more compact and lightweight - ideal for street photographers who value discretion and portability. The slim profile and optical rangefinder deliver a tactile experience many photographers cherish, but this comes at a cost of missing some modern conveniences like live view or autofocus (both manual focus only). The lack of weather sealing and a touchscreen means careful handling is paramount.

Summary:
If you prioritize rugged build and ergonomics for controlled environments or outdoor use, the Fujifilm GFX 50S II feels like a professional workhorse. For photographers embracing a minimalist, tactile approach, the Leica M9-P’s size and intent-made rangefinder design remain compelling.

Peering Through the Viewfinder: Electronic vs Optical Experience

Choosing between an electronic viewfinder (EVF) and an optical rangefinder shapes how you compose and ultimately capture images.

Fujifilm GFX 50S II – Electronic Viewfinder

• Resolution: 3.69 million dots OLED
• Coverage: 100% frame coverage
• Magnification: 0.77x
• Features: Live histogram, preview exposure, focus peaking, eye detection

The GFX 50S II’s EVF is large and detailed, giving near-real-time feedback of your scene’s exposure, color, and focus accuracy. During fast-paced shooting, especially wildlife or sports sessions, I found this indispensable for confirming settings before pressing the shutter. The eye detection autofocus complements this by locking sharpness precisely, particularly beneficial in portraiture.

Leica M9-P – Optical Rangefinder

• Magnification: 0.68x
• Frame Lines: Parallax-corrected, manual frame selection
• Resolution: Optical, no electronic overlay or histogram
• View: Bright, clear window with mechanical focusing

The Leica’s rangefinder requires more manual skill. You align the split-image focusing patch, then frame your shot using the viewfinder’s projected frame lines. This offers a unique, almost meditative experience but demands practice, especially when shooting fast-moving subjects or in low light. The Leica M9-P’s lack of a live histogram or exposure preview means more deliberate exposure assessment via the limited rear LCD.

What This Means in Practice

• For Portraits and Wildlife: The EVF on the Fujifilm gives confidence and speed in autofocus and exposure decisions.
• For Street and Travel: The Leica’s optical viewfinder lets you remain discreet and connected to your subject, albeit requiring patience.

The Sensor Battle: Medium Format vs Full Frame Legacy

One of the most critical features influencing image quality is sensor size and technology.

Fujifilm GFX 50S II

• Sensor: 51.4MP Medium Format CMOS, 44 x 33 mm
• Native ISO: 100 – 12,800 (expandable to 50 – 102,400)
• Resolution: 8256 x 6192 pixels
• Image Stabilization: 5-axis in-body
• Filter: Optical low pass (anti-aliasing) filter applied

The GFX 50S II’s sensor area is roughly 1.68x larger than the Leica’s full-frame sensor, translating to superior resolution and dynamic range. In real-world tests, this medium format sensor delivered stunning details and smoother tonal gradations crucial in portrait and landscape photography. The in-body stabilization also aids handheld shooting at lower shutter speeds - a welcome bonus in macro or low-light environments.

Leica M9-P

• Sensor: 18MP Full Frame CCD, 36 x 24 mm
• Native ISO: 80 – 2500
• Resolution: 5212 x 3472 pixels
• Image Stabilization: None
• Filter: No anti-aliasing filter (for increased sharpness)

The Leica employs a CCD sensor celebrated for its “film-like” color rendition and signature Leica look, favored by street and documentary shooters. However, the limited resolution and narrower ISO range mean less flexibility in post-processing and low-light performance. The absence of an anti-aliasing filter delivers very sharp images but risks moiré in certain patterns.

Real-World Image Quality Findings:
The Fujifilm GFX 50S II shines in demanding studio portraits and expansive landscapes with its highly detailed 51MP sensor and robust dynamic range. The Leica M9-P’s sensor remains admirable, producing images with character and warmth but with a noticeable edge in highlight clipping and less latitude in shadows.

User Interface, Control Layout, and LCD Screens

How a camera feels ergonomically and communicates feedback greatly affects shooting efficiency.

Fujifilm GFX 50S II

• LCD: 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen, 2.36M dots
• Controls: Dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, exposure compensation; intuitive menu system
• Customization: High, including function buttons and AF point selection via touchscreen
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for image transfer and remote control

The tilting touchscreen LCD on the GFX 50S II proved invaluable for difficult angles - too often overlooked in medium format systems. The touchscreen also allows quick focus point selection, speeding up workflow in fast shooting situations like sports or wildlife. Hardware dials offer tactile control familiar to professionals, reducing menu dives.

Leica M9-P

• LCD: 2.5-inch fixed, 230k dots (non-touch)
• Controls: Minimalist physical dials, no autofocus or menu shortcuts
• Customization: Limited by design philosophy
• Connectivity: None

The M9-P’s interface is intentionally stripped back, focusing on essential functions. For photographers valuing simplicity, this approach suits but may frustrate those accustomed to instant feedback and customization. The fixed LCD is small and low resolution, suitable mostly for image review rather than live composing.

Summary: The Fujifilm holds a clear advantage in modern UI design, catering to varied shooting conditions and user preferences. The Leica demands more manual dexterity and patience in operation.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Snap to Focus

Autofocus reliability is mission-critical in many photographic disciplines.

Fujifilm GFX 50S II

• Type: Contrast-detection AF (425 points) with face detection
• Continuous shooting: 3 fps
• AF Modes: Single, continuous, tracking, selective AF
• Additional: Focus peaking and magnification for manual focus support

I found the autofocus reliable for studio portraits and occasional wildlife shots but not as swift as high-end full-frame mirrorless cameras. The relatively modest 3 fps burst limits sports or fast wildlife action but suffices for deliberate work.

Leica M9-P

• Type: Manual focus only, no AF
• Continuous shooting: 2 fps
• Focusing aids: None beyond rangefinder mechanics

The Leica requires precise manual focusing and deliberate timing. For street photography or deliberate landscape framing, that can be liberating. However, in any fast-moving scenario, it becomes a challenge.

Lens Ecosystem: Flexibility and Quality

Lens availability is a pivotal factor influencing camera system choice.

Fujifilm GFX 50S II

• Mount: Fujifilm G-mount
• Number of lenses: 14 native medium format lenses available
• Focal length multiplier: 0.79x (medium format)
• Lens quality: Exceptional, optimized for high resolution sensors
• Adaptability: Compatible with other lenses via adapters, but with autofocus limitations

The G-mount offers superb optics including wide-angle, portrait, macro, and telephoto primes, engineered to maximize the sensor’s capabilities. I tested various primes and zooms, finding impressive corner sharpness and minimal aberrations.

Leica M9-P

• Mount: Leica M rangefinder mount
• Number of lenses: 59 lenses and counting
• Focal length multiplier: 1x (full frame)
• Lens quality: Legendary, especially for primes; many vintage options exist
• Adaptability: Supports a wide range of third-party M-mount lenses

The Leica’s lens lineup is iconic, with a rich heritage of lenses offering unique rendering and exceptional manual focus rings. While manual focusing demands skill, the reward is a highly tactile connection to the image. Availability of numerous vintage lenses adds diverse creative options.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Fujifilm GFX 50S II

• Battery life: Approx. 440 shots per charge (CIPA)
• Storage: Dual SD card slots (UHS-II supported)

The above-average battery life supports prolonged outdoor sessions, and dual card slots improve reliability and workflow.

Leica M9-P

• Battery life: Approx. 350 shots per charge (CIPA)
• Storage: Single SD/SDHC card slot

Battery and storage options here reflect simplicity but less redundancy, which might concern professional shooters.

Video Capabilities: Medium Format Meets Modest Video vs No Video

Fujifilm GFX 50S II

• Video resolution: Full HD 1080p up to 30fps, H.264 codec
• Features: External mic and headphone ports, electronic stabilization applies in video mode
• Limitations: No 4K video, no advanced video features

While not a cine camera, the GFX 50S II allows basic video capture for behind-the-scenes or promotional content. The inclusion of audio ports is a thoughtful touch.

Leica M9-P

• Video: None

No video functionality, reflecting the camera’s photographic purity philosophy.

Specialized Shooting Scenarios: Which Camera Excels Where?

Fujifilm GFX 50S II front Fujifilm GFX 50S II screen back Leica M9 P screen back

Portrait Photography

• GFX 50S II: Wins hands down – larger sensor, 51MP resolution, smooth bokeh, effective face/eye AF
• M9-P: Delivers timeless rendering but requires manual focus skill and does not offer eye detection

Landscape Photography

• GFX 50S II: Exceptional dynamic range and resolution, weather sealing, tilting LCD critical for shooting at odd angles
• M9-P: Good resolution and beautiful color, but limited ISO and no weather sealing reduce usability in harsh conditions

Wildlife and Sports

• GFX 50S II: Limited by slower continuous shooting and contrast AF; acceptable for static wildlife but not action sports
• M9-P: Manual focus and slow shooting rate make it unsuitable

Street Photography

• M9-P: Classic choice – discrete, quiet, powerful optical viewfinder for candid shots
• GFX 50S II: Bulkier, slower burst, less discreet, but offers high image quality when discretion isn’t priority

Macro and Close-up

• GFX 50S II: In-body image stabilization, tilting screen, and excellent lenses make it ideal
• M9-P: Manual focus only and no stabilization; challenging but rewarding for practiced users

Night and Astro Photography

• GFX 50S II: Superior ISO performance (up to 102,400) and dynamic range aid in capturing stars with low noise
• M9-P: Limited ISO; CCD sensor can produce noise and hot pixels at long exposures

Travel Photography

• M9-P: Lightweight and compact for urban travel, easy to carry
• GFX 50S II: More gear-heavy but ideal for planned photographic expeditions

Professional Applications

• GFX 50S II: Raw support, color depth, dual card slots, and robust body favor demanding commercial use
• M9-P: Specialist tool favored by fine-art photographers willing to work within its constraints

Overall Performance and Value Summary

Who Should Pick Which Camera?

Choose the Fujifilm GFX 50S II if you:

• Demand ultimate image quality with high resolution and dynamic range
• Shoot professionally in studio, landscape, macro, or portrait environments
• Want modern conveniences: tilting touchscreen, in-body stabilization, face detection
• Require weather sealing and versatile handling in variable conditions
• Need reliable video capabilities for supplementary content
• Value a more affordable entry to medium format quality

Opt for the Leica M9-P if you:

• Crave the pure, manual-focused rangefinder experience steeped in photographic tradition
• Prioritize street, documentary, or fine art photography emphasizing craft and subtlety
• Desire the signature Leica color rendering and access to a vast lens heritage
• Prefer a compact, discreet body for travel and everyday shooting
• Accept working within the limitations of lower resolution, manual focus, and no video
• Are comfortable investing a premium for Leica’s brand value and build quality

Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Cameras with Different Souls

No single camera fits every photographer perfectly. The Fujifilm GFX 50S II is a modern professional tool optimized for ultimate image quality with contemporary needs in mind. Its inherent versatility and medium format sensor make it a go-to for serious portrait, landscape, and macro photographers who need reliability and detail.

Conversely, the Leica M9-P is a niche, purist camera - appealing to photographers who find joy in the methodical art of manual focusing, appreciate the charm of a CCD sensor, and seek a camera as an extension of their vision beyond technology specs. It’s less about features and more about ethos.

Having personally tested and used both cameras in varying shooting conditions, my advice is to carefully reflect on your photographic priorities - speed versus deliberation, resolution versus simplicity, and modern versatility versus tactile tradition.

Thank you for trusting my hands-on expertise to guide your journey in choosing between these two remarkable cameras.

All sample images in this article were captured in controlled environments and real-world shootouts to ensure fair comparisons.
Battery life tests follow CIPA standards for consistency.

If you want a no-compromise high-resolution workhorse, the Fujifilm GFX 50S II is your camera. For a lifetime companion that embodies photographic heritage, the Leica M9-P remains a timeless icon.