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Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M9

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Leica M9 front
Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49

Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M9 Key Specs

Leica M-Monochrom
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 10000
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 600g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Released May 2012
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
  • Revealed September 2009
  • Updated by Leica M9-P
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M9 Overview

Following is a extended analysis of the Leica M-Monochrom versus Leica M9, both Pro Mirrorless cameras and both are created by Leica. The sensor resolution of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and the M9 (18MP) is very close and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The M-Monochrom was introduced 2 years after the M9 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the M-Monochrom matches up vs the M9 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Leica M9

 M-Monochrom M9 
RevealedMay 2012September 2009More modern by 33 months

Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 M9 M-Monochrom 

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Leica M9

 M-Monochrom M9 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.5"2.5"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M9 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Leica M-Monochrom offers outside dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Leica M9 has specifications of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs).

Check out the Leica M-Monochrom versus Leica M9 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the M-Monochrom against the M9.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M9 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M-Monochrom and M9 is 78 and 79 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M9 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M9 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes purely by looking through specs. The pic underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M-Monochrom and M9.

All in all, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of photos but you should always factor the release date of the cameras into account. The newer M-Monochrom will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M9 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M9 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography features
Leica M9 Portrait photography features
71
focusing manually
decent megapixels (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
69
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (18MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography info
Leica M9 Street photography info
65
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
65
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Sports photography camera
Leica M9 as a Sports photography camera
45
decent megapixels (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no liveview feature
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low battery (350 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
megapixel count decent (18MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
bad battery power (350 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Travel photography with Leica M9
54
decent megapixels (18MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery (350 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
54
megapixel count decent (18MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (350 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Landscape photography camera
Leica M9 as a Landscape photography camera
58
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica M mount)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low battery (350 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
60
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica M mount)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.5")
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
bad battery power (350 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Vlogging info
Leica M9 Vlogging info
9
no video
9
no video shooting
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Leica M9
 Leica M-MonochromLeica M9
General Information
Brand Leica Leica
Model Leica M-Monochrom Leica M9
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2012-05-10 2009-09-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 5212 x 3472 5212 x 3472
Max native ISO 10000 2500
Min native ISO 160 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Leica M
Amount of lenses 59 59
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 2.5"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover TFT color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Optical (rangefinder)
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.68x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 32s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lbs) 585 grams (1.29 lbs)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 69
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.7
DXO Low light score not tested 884
Other
Battery life 350 shots 350 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Price at launch $7,950 $2,750