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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A9

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A9 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
  • Introduced May 2012
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Revealed April 2017
  • Updated by Sony A9 II
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A9 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Leica M-Monochrom versus Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Leica and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and A9 (24MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The M-Monochrom was announced 6 years prior to the A9 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Leica M-Monochrom being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the M-Monochrom grades against the A9 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Sony A9

 M-Monochrom A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 A9 M-Monochrom 
RevealedApril 2017May 2012Fresher by 60 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1440k230kSharper display (+1210k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A9

 M-Monochrom A9 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Leica M-Monochrom features outside measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Sony A9 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Analyze the Leica M-Monochrom versus Sony A9 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the M-Monochrom and the A9.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A9 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M-Monochrom and A9 is 78 and 65 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing merely by checking out specifications. The graphic here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the M-Monochrom and A9.

To sum up, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony A9 to show more detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos much more aggressively. The older M-Monochrom will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Portrait photography with Sony A9
71
focusing manually
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
84
has manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Street photography with Sony A9
65
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
79
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
has focus by touch
environment sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Sports photography camera
Sony A9 as a Sports photography camera
45
decent megapixels (18MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
87
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
great battery life (650 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography information
Sony A9 Travel photography information
54
decent megapixels (18MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (350 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
74
great battery life (650 shots)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
has focus by touch
good MP (24 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography highlights
Sony A9 Landscape photography highlights
58
focusing manually
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5")
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery pack (350 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
86
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
great battery life (650 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Vlogging highlights
Sony A9 Vlogging highlights
9
no video shooting
37
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A9
 Leica M-MonochromSony Alpha A9
General Information
Make Leica Sony
Model type Leica M-Monochrom Sony Alpha A9
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-05-10 2017-04-19
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5212 x 3472 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 10000 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 693
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Sony E
Amount of lenses 59 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 32 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 grams (1.32 pounds) 673 grams (1.48 pounds)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 650 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots One Two
Retail cost $7,950 $4,498