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Leica M8 vs Nikon Z9

Portability
79 Imaging
50 Features
31 Overall
42
Leica M8 front
 
Nikon Z9 front
Portability
51 Imaging
81 Features
90 Overall
84

Leica M8 vs Nikon Z9 Key Specs

Leica M8
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-H Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 2500
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 591g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Launched July 2007
Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 1340g - 149 x 150 x 91mm
  • Revealed October 2021
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Leica M8 vs Nikon Z9 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Leica M8 vs Nikon Z9, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Leica and Nikon. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the M8 (10MP) and Z9 (46MP) and the M8 (APS-H) and Z9 (Full frame) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The M8 was manufactured 15 years earlier than the Z9 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Leica M8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon Z9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the M8 grades versus the Z9 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Nikon Z9

		

		

			
 M8 Z9 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Leica M8

		

		

			
 Z9 M8 
RevealedOctober 2021July 2007Fresher by 173 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution2089k230kSharper screen (+1859k dot)
Touch screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Leica M8 and Nikon Z9

		

		

			
 M8 Z9 
Focus manually  Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen  No selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Leica M8 vs Nikon Z9 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Leica M8 has outer measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Nikon Z9 has specifications of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") having a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs).
Compare the Leica M8 vs Nikon Z9 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the M8 versus the Z9.
Leica M8 vs Nikon Z9 size comparison
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M8 and Z9 is 79 and 51 respectively.
Leica M8 vs Nikon Z9 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Leica M8 vs Nikon Z9 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Sometimes, it can be tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing technical specs. The graphic below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the M8 and Z9.
As you have seen, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The M8 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Nikon Z9 will offer more detail due to its extra 36MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The older M8 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.
	
			Leica M8 vs Nikon Z9 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Leica M8 vs Nikon Z9 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Leica M8 vs Nikon Z9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
			Photography Glossary	

	
	
	
	

	

		
Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
 Leica M8 as a Portrait photography camera
 Nikon Z9 as a Portrait photography camera
54
 focusing manually
 nice sensor size (APS-H)
 saves RAW files
 does not have liveview
 MP count low (10MP)
88
 focusing manually
 MP count amazing (46MP)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 features face detection focus
 delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison
 Leica M8 as a Street photography camera
 Nikon Z9 as a Street photography camera
62
 nice sensor size (APS-H)
 saves RAW files
 screen does not articulate
 lack of image stabilization
70
 has a tilting screen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 delivers RAW files
 supports touch focus
 environment sealing
 good ISO range (25,600)
 more heavy than average in class (1,340g)
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Sports Comparison
 Leica M8 as a Sports photography camera
 Nikon Z9 as a Sports photography camera
43
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
 nice sensor size (APS-H)
 better than average battery (550 per charge)
 does not have liveview
 no shutter priority
 lack of image stabilization
 MP count low (10MP)
 does not have phase detect AF
90
 quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
 max frames per second high (30.0 frames/s)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count amazing (46 megapixels)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 features tracking autofocus
 environment sealing
 better than average battery life (740 shots)
 supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
Leica M8 Travel photography advice
Nikon Z9 Travel photography advice
51
 better than average battery (550 CIPA)
 does not have Timelapse recording
 MP count low (10MP)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
65
 better than average battery life (740 per charge)
 environment sealing
 has bluetooth
 supports touch focus
 MP count amazing (46 megapixels)
 more heavy than average in class (1,340g)
 does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison
Leica M8 Landscape photography advice
Nikon Z9 Landscape photography advice
55
 focusing manually
 swap lenses (Leica M mount)
 nice sensor size (APS-H)
 does not have low pass filter
 saves RAW files
 better than average battery (550 per charge)
 screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
 does not have liveview
 lack of image stabilization
 MP count low (10 megapixels)
 does not have Timelapse recording
87
 focusing manually
 switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
 pretty good screen size (3.2")
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count amazing (46MP)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 good ISO range (25,600)
 delivers RAW files
 environment sealing
 better than average battery life (740 shots)
 has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison
Vlogging with Leica M8
Vlogging with Nikon Z9
9
 can't shoot video
32
 touchscreen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 features face detection focus
 good video quality (7680 x 4320 pixels)
 comes with external microphone jack
 does not contain selfie friendly display
 more heavy than average in class (1,340 grams)
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Leica M8 vs Nikon Z9 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M8 and Nikon Z9
 Leica M8Nikon Z9
General Information
Make Leica Nikon
Model Leica M8 Nikon Z9
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2007-07-31 2021-10-28
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD Stacked CMOS
Sensor size APS-H Full frame
Sensor measurements 27 x 18mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 486.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 46 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and  16:9
Max resolution 3936 x 2630 8256 x 5504
Max native ISO 2500 25600
Max enhanced ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 160 64
RAW files    
Lowest enhanced ISO - 32
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
AF touch    
AF continuous    
AF single    
AF tracking    
AF selectice    
AF center weighted    
Multi area AF    
Live view AF    
Face detect focusing    
Contract detect focusing    
Phase detect focusing    
Number of focus points - 493
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Nikon Z
Amount of lenses 59 29
Focal length multiplier 1.3 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.5" 3.2"
Resolution of display 230k dot 2,089k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch operation    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.8x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 900 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs -
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 30.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB    
Image stabilization    
Inbuilt flash    
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings 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    
AE bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Fastest flash sync 1/250 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
Max video resolution None 7680x4320
Video file format - H.264, H.265
Microphone input    
Headphone input    
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 proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 591 grams (1.30 lbs) 1340 grams (2.95 lbs)
Physical 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 score 59 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 663 not tested
Other
Battery life 550 images 740 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL18d
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording    
Storage media SD/SDHC card Dual CFexpress Type B slots
Storage slots Single 2
Cost at release $4,400 $5,500