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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	

	
			Photography Glossary	

	
	
	
	

	

		
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
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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