Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z8
78 Imaging
63 Features
30 Overall
49


55 Imaging
82 Features
83 Overall
82
Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z8 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - Full frame Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 2500
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 600g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
- Introduced June 2011
- Old Model is Leica M9
(Full Review)
- 46MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.20" Tilting Screen
- ISO 64 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 7680 x 4320 video
- Nikon Z Mount
- 910g - 144 x 119 x 83mm
- Released May 2023

Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z8 Overview
Here, we will be evaluating the Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z8, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by competitors Leica and Nikon. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the M9-P (18MP) and Z8 (46MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (Full frame).

The M9-P was manufactured 13 years before the Z8 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Leica M9-P being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon Z8 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving into a full comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the M9-P scores versus the Z8 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z8 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Leica M9-P and Nikon Z8. The entire galleries are viewable at Leica M9-P Gallery and Nikon Z8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M9-P over the Nikon Z8
M9-P | Z8 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon Z8 over the Leica M9-P
Z8 | M9-P | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | May 2023 | ![]() | June 2011 | Fresher by 144 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3.20" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.7") |
Screen resolution | 2089k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+1859k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Leica M9-P and Nikon Z8
M9-P | Z8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen |
Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z8 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to carry your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Leica M9-P enjoys outside measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Nikon Z8 has proportions of 144mm x 119mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.7" x 3.3") having a weight of 910 grams (2.01 lbs).
Examine the Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z8 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the M9-P and the Z8.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M9-P and Z8 is 78 and 55 respectively.

Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z8 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through a spec sheet. The visual here might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the M9-P and Z8.
As you can see, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Nikon Z8 to show greater detail due to its extra 28MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older M9-P will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z8 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z8 Specifications
Leica M9-P | Nikon Z8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Leica | Nikon |
Model | Leica M9-P | Nikon Z8 |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2011-06-21 | 2023-05-10 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | Stacked CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 36 x 24mm | 35.9 x 23.9mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 858.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 46 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 8256 x 5504 |
Highest native ISO | 2500 | 25600 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 102400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 64 |
RAW support | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | - | 32 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 493 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Leica M | Nikon Z |
Total lenses | 59 | 46 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 2.5 inches | 3.20 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 2,089 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 3,686 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | 0.8x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 900 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | - |
Maximum quiet shutter speed | - | 1/32000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames/s | 30.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash options | 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 | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/200 seconds |
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 data 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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 600g (1.32 lbs) | 910g (2.01 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 144 x 119 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.7" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 68 | 98 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 26.3 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.6 | 14.2 |
DXO Low light score | 854 | 2548 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 shots | 330 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | EN-EL15c |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card | one CFexpress Type B slot and one UHS-II SD slot |
Storage slots | 1 | 2 |
Price at launch | $7,995 | $3,999 |