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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon Z9

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Nikon Z9 front
Portability
51
Imaging
82
Features
90
Overall
85

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon Z9 Key Specs

Leica M-Monochrom
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 10000
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 600g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Released May 2012
Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 1340g - 149 x 150 x 91mm
  • Launched October 2021
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon Z9 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon Z9, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Leica and Nikon. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and Z9 (46MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The M-Monochrom was released 10 years earlier than the Z9 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Leica M-Monochrom being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon Z9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the M-Monochrom grades against the Z9 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Nikon Z9

 M-Monochrom Z9 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 Z9 M-Monochrom 
LaunchedOctober 2021May 2012More recent by 115 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution2089k230kSharper display (+1859k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon Z9

 M-Monochrom Z9 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon Z9 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Leica M-Monochrom comes with physical measurements 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 Nikon Z9 has sizing of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs).

Check out the Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon Z9 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the M-Monochrom against the Z9.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon Z9 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the M-Monochrom and Z9 is 78 and 51 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon Z9 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon Z9 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to visualise the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading through specs. The photograph here might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the M-Monochrom and Z9.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Nikon Z9 to give you more detail as a result of its extra 28 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The older M-Monochrom is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon Z9 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon Z9 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon Z9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Portrait photography with Nikon Z9
71
you can focus manually
MP count good (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
89
manual focus
MP count high (46MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography details
Nikon Z9 Street photography details
65
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
70
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
environment proof
very good ISO range (25,600)
heavier than competition in class (1,340 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Sports photography with Nikon Z9
45
MP count good (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
not so great battery (350 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
91
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
max fps high (30.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count high (46MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery life (740 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography factors
Nikon Z9 Travel photography factors
54
MP count good (18 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (350 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
65
better than average battery life (740 per charge)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
MP count high (46 megapixels)
heavier than competition in class (1,340g)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography details
Nikon Z9 Landscape photography details
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
MP count good (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
no image stabilization
not so great battery (350 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
87
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count high (46MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery life (740 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Vlogging camera
Nikon Z9 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
32
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
great video quality (7680 x 4320 resolution)
does have external mic port
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (1,340 grams)
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon Z9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon Z9
 Leica M-MonochromNikon Z9
General Information
Make Leica Nikon
Model type Leica M-Monochrom Nikon Z9
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2012-05-10 2021-10-28
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD Stacked CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 46MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5212 x 3472 8256 x 5504
Highest native ISO 10000 25600
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 160 64
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO - 32
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 493
Lens
Lens support Leica M Nikon Z
Number of lenses 59 29
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.5 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 2,089 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.8x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 32 secs 900 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs -
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 7680 x 4320 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, L
Highest video resolution None 7680x4320
Video file format - H.264, H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 lb) 1340g (2.95 lb)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 740 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL18d
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card Dual CFexpress Type B slots
Storage slots 1 2
Retail cost $7,950 $5,500