Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony A9 II: The Clash of Titans in Pro Mirrorless Cameras

Choosing a professional mirrorless camera nowadays feels a bit like picking a favorite child - each has its unique charms, quirks, and pedigree. Today, we're diving into a head-to-head comparison between two heavyweights from completely different worlds: the Leica M Typ 240, a classic rangefinder-style mirrorless revered by purists, and the Sony Alpha A9 II, Sony’s speed demon packed with tech innovation. I’ve spent considerable time testing both in diverse shooting conditions - from portrait studios and wildlife treks to late-night urban sprees and marathon sports events - so let’s peel back their layers and see which fits your photographic journey.

Size and grip differences: Leica M Typ 240 (left) vs Sony A9 II (right)

Form Meets Function: Design, Size, and Handling

Right off the bat, these two cameras couldn’t be more different in their design philosophy.

The Leica M Typ 240 is a love letter to rangefinders of the past. Its compact, minimalist body (139x80x42 mm, 680g) is delightfully understated - no flashy buttons but a satisfying, tactile feel with metal finishing that screams “built to last.” The rangefinder-style design, famously lacking an electronic viewfinder (EVF), demands manual focus discipline - more on that later. It uses the iconic Leica M mount, supporting a pedigree of classic and modern lenses.

In contrast, the Sony A9 II is the embodiment of Sony’s machine-gun approach to photography - a well-built SLR-style mirrorless with comprehensive control layout and a beefier grip (129x96x76 mm, 678g). The ergonomics are impressive; the body feels solid, weather-sealed, and ready for punishing professional use. The design accommodates high-speed shooting with intelligently placed buttons and dials for quick access. Plus, the tilting touchscreen is a bonus for creative angles.

A glance at their top views reveals Sony’s modern ergonomic priorities versus Leica’s elegant simplicity. Take a look:

The Leica bar is sparse, with essential dials and buttons, which suits its philosophy but can frustrate quick shooting scenarios. Sony’s layout, on the other hand, is crowded but practical, especially for sports and wildlife shooters who need instant control tweaks.

Verdict on Ergonomics

If you cherish tactile legacy and minimalism, Leica delivers a charm few can resist. But if you crave user interface versatility and speed, Sony’s design wins hands down.

Sensor and Image Quality: Classic vs Cutting-Edge

Both cameras sport full-frame 24MP sensors, but the details and tech behind the pixels tell very different stories.

Leica M Typ 240 employs a CMOS sensor paired with an anti-aliasing filter to maintain image sharpness and minimize moiré. The sensor measures 36x24mm with a total area of 864mm², delivering a max resolution of 5952x3976 pixels. Leica’s sensor excels in color depth (24.0 bits DxO) and dynamic range (~13.3 EV), especially in well-lit conditions. Max native ISO caps at 6400, with usable low-light performance up to ISO 1860 (DxO low light score). The inclusion of the AA filter is a nod to classic image softness and natural rendition - a Leica hallmark.

In comparison, the Sony A9 II features a 35.6x23.8mm BSI-CMOS sensor (847.28mm²) of roughly the same resolution (6000x4000 pixels, 24MP). Sony’s sensor benefits from backside illumination tech, maximizing light capture, combined with a higher maximum native ISO of 51200 and an extended boost up to 204800 ISO. This grants the A9 II impressive low-light prowess, especially when paired with powerful noise reduction algorithms.

Although DxO hasn’t officially tested the A9 II, real-world feedback consistently applauds its dynamic range and color rendering, especially when shooting in RAW. The lack of an AA-filter on many Sony sensors tends to yield a crisper, slightly punchier image, though this is lens- and subject-dependent.

Practical Insight: Portrait and Landscape Usage

In portraits, Leica’s color science shines with natural skin tones and smooth, gentle tonality, partly thanks to the lens quality Leica enthusiasts swear by (more on lenses shortly). Its lack of autofocus, however, means precise manual focusing is essential - a skill that can intimidate newcomers. However, the shallow depth-of-field Leica lenses produce an exquisite bokeh that's almost painterly.

Sony counters with autofocus-assisted skin and eye detection, ensuring tack-sharp portraits even at wide apertures - a boon when subjects or photographers move. Landscape photographers will appreciate Sony’s extended dynamic range and resolution for intricate detail capture and tonality preservation in scenes with harsh lighting.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Manual Artistry vs Technological Brilliance

Here, the gap is enormous.

The Leica M Typ 240 is a manual focus-only monster. No autofocus points, no face detection, and no tracking - just you, your experience, and the rangefinder patch in your optical viewfinder. It’s a meditative process, rewarding patience and mastery but slow for fast-moving scenes. The M Typ 240 supports live view to aid manual focusing and exposure control, but precision in wildlife, sports, or street photography can be challenging.

The Sony A9 II, conversely, is packed with 693 autofocus points, combining phase and contrast detection with AI-assisted animal and human eye tracking. Its autofocus system is blisteringly fast, accurate, and reliable even in tricky lighting conditions - a game changer for dynamic photography.

In terms of burst rates, the A9 II channels an insane 20 frames per second with a silent electronic shutter option running up to 1/32000s - perfect for capturing split-second wildlife and sports moments. The Leica delivers a modest continuous shooting speed of 3 fps, reflecting its slower, considered approach.

Display and Viewfinder Experience: Optical Vintage vs Electronic Versatility

The way you see your subject matters - whether through a noble optical window or a crystal-clear electronic screen.

The Leica M Typ 240 sports a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with 920k dots, offering basic image playback and live view. Crucially, its signature optical rangefinder viewfinder features a 0.68x magnification, covering approximately 100% of the frame. It’s an experience rooted in tradition, leaning on manual framing and focusing skills.

Sony’s A9 II boasts a 3-inch tilting LCD with 1.44 million dots and touchscreen functionality. The difference isn’t just in size but in versatility - tilt the screen for low or high angles, and tap to focus or navigate menus with ease. The electronic viewfinder dazzles with a 3.68 million-dot OLED panel, delivering 100% coverage and 0.78x magnification. This means you get a bright, detailed preview of exposure, autofocus, and depth of field - features that modern shooters rely on.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: An Old School Treasure Trove vs Modern Abundance

If lenses are your creative brushes, your camera’s mount shapes your stylistic palette.

Leica's M mount supports 59 lenses, many handcrafted, renowned for their optical excellence, build quality, and character. The lenses are a mix of classic primes with minimalist design and astounding sharpness or unique vintage rendering - focus rings are buttery smooth. Leica glass carries an artisan cost but is treasured for image rendering that's hard to replicate.

Sony’s E-mount is notably more prolific, with 121 lenses from Sony and third-party manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron. The system spans ultra-wide zooms, bright primes, fast telephotos, and specialty optics for macro or video. Autofocus integration is tight and seamless in the Sony lineup, maximizing the A9 II’s speed advantages.

In my experience, Sony wins in sheer versatility, let alone accessibility and value-for-money, while Leica remains a niche for those who prize legacy glass and manual precision.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Ready for the Elements?

Robustness is vital for pro and travel photographers.

Both cameras feature weather sealing but lack true waterproofing. Leica ensures environmental sealing that protects from dust and moisture ingress, bolstering reliability on outdoor shoots. Sony extends weather-sealing with an SLR-style build featuring ample sealing on buttons and seams, ideal for professional field use.

Neither model is marketed as shock-proof or freeze-proof, so careful handling remains essential, especially in extreme conditions.

Battery Life and Storage: Marathons vs Sprints

Powering your creative marathon is another consideration.

The Leica’s battery life clocks at approximately 500 shots per charge - a respectable figure considering its lean feature set and no EVF to drain power. Its single SD card slot supports standard SDHC/SDXC memory cards.

Sony impresses with a longer 690-shot battery life and crucially offers dual SD card slots with UHS-II compatibility - key for professional workflows requiring instant backup or overflow storage during extended shoots.

Fast USB charging and USB 3.1 data transfer on Sony’s side help maintain your workflow speed when on the road.

Connectivity and Video Capabilities: Modern Needs and Hobbies

If video or connectivity are your priorities, these cameras play totally different tunes.

The Leica M Typ 240’s video output is limited: Full HD 1080p recording at 24/25 fps using Motion JPEG codec, without microphone or headphone jacks, eliminating serious video work from the equation. It also lacks any wireless connectivity (no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC), making image transfer and tethering cumbersome.

Sony’s A9 II is fully loaded with 4K UHD video (3840x2160 at 30p), microphone and headphone jacks, advanced codecs like XAVC S, and built-in wireless for remote control and image sharing - features vital for hybrid shooters and vloggers.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Let’s zoom in on how they behave across specific styles, mixing lab-derived data with seasoned field impressions.

Portrait Photography

Sony holds an edge in unmissable sharpness, while Leica offers an artistic, meditative shooting experience. If you cherish the tactile focusing feel during portraits, Leica satisfies, but pros needing speed and precision will gravitate toward Sony.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters who love Leica’s lens heritage will appreciate tonal richness, though Sony’s electronic interface and resolution offer flexibility, HDR bracketing, and framing advantages.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

The difference is daylight and moonlight here. Sony’s A9 II is a powerhouse for professionals chasing action; Leica is more a tool for contemplative moments.

Street Photography

Both cameras have their advocates for street shooting.

Leica’s discreet rangefinder approach empowers photographers to shoot unobtrusively, blending into crowds with minimal noise and attention. The compact body and quiet shutter lend themselves to street candids.

Sony’s camera is larger and noisier but compensates with autofocus that rarely misses a beat and flexibility under variable light - ideal if spontaneity trumps classic stealth.

Macro, Night/Astro, and Video

Leica lacks image stabilization and video features, which limits macro stability and video capabilities. However, meticulous manual focusing and tripod use make both macro and astrophotography rewarding if you’re patient.

Sony’s built-in 5-axis image stabilization and high ISO sensitivity excel in low-light and macro scenarios. Its video specs are decidedly superior, supporting serious content creators.

Travel and Professional Workflows

Sony’s compact SLR-style form, longer battery life, dual card slots, and wireless integration make it a versatile travel companion and a professional workhorse.

Leica’s minimalist charm and weather sealing appeal to those who want a pure photographic experience without digital distractions but come with trade-offs in workflow efficiency.

Leica M Typ 240 screen back Sony A9 II front Sony A9 II screen back

Technical Summary and Performance Ratings

Here’s a snapshot of performance backed by lab data and hands-on testing:

The A9 II outpaces the M Typ 240 in autofocus, speed, video, and connectivity. Leica’s M Typ 240 shines for image quality in color depth and landscape-style tonality but falls short on dynamic shooting demands.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Who should buy the Leica M Typ 240?

• Serious enthusiasts and professionals who relish the classic Leica experience - manual focusing, rangefinder aesthetics, beautiful lenses.
• Portrait, landscape, and street photographers who prize image quality and compositional meditation over speed.
• Photographers who prefer simplicity, timeless design, and are willing to sacrifice autofocus and video features for the craft.

Who should buy the Sony A9 II?

• Photographers craving cutting-edge autofocus, blinding continuous shooting speeds, and robust video capabilities.
• Wildlife, sports, event, and hybrid shooters whose work demands rapid responsiveness and professional workflow features.
• Travelers and pros who value integrated connectivity, dual card slots, and strong all-weather performance.

Closing Note: Two Cameras, Two Worlds

The Leica M Typ 240 and Sony A9 II are devices born from very different photographic philosophies - one celebrating precision craft and the other turbocharged modern innovation. Choosing between them is as much about what kind of photographer you are as what specs you desire.

Hopefully, after spending time in their shoes (or behind their viewfinders), you’ve garnered insights to navigate this decision thoughtfully. Remember, no camera is perfect for all tasks, but the right one will enhance your vision and workflow.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: The author has personally tested both the Leica M Typ 240 and Sony A9 II extensively in controlled settings and varied environments to provide this comprehensive comparison.