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Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z9

Portability
78
Imaging
64
Features
30
Overall
50
Leica M9-P front
 
Nikon Z9 front
Portability
51
Imaging
82
Features
90
Overall
85

Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z9 Key Specs

Leica M9-P
(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
  • Released June 2011
  • Older Model is Leica M9
Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Raise 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 M9-P vs Nikon Z9 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Leica M9-P and Nikon Z9, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by rivals Leica and Nikon. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the M9-P (18MP) and Z9 (46MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The M9-P was announced 11 years earlier than the Z9 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Leica M9-P being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon Z9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the M9-P grades versus the Z9 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9-P over the Nikon Z9

 M9-P Z9 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Leica M9-P

 Z9 M9-P 
LaunchedOctober 2021June 2011More modern by 126 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution2089k230kSharper screen (+1859k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M9-P and Nikon Z9

 M9-P Z9 
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z9 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Leica M9-P comes with physical 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) while 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).

Check the Leica M9-P and Nikon Z9 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the M9-P and the Z9.

Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z9 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the M9-P and Z9 is 78 and 51 respectively.

Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z9 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z9 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through specifications. The picture underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the M9-P and Z9.

Plainly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Nikon Z9 to show greater detail with its extra 28MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged M9-P will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z9 sensor size comparison

Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z9 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon Z9 as a Portrait photography camera
70
focusing manually
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
89
focusing manually
resolution is amazing (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Street photography camera
Nikon Z9 as a Street photography camera
64
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
70
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
weather sealing
above average high ISO (25,600)
heavier than competition (1,340g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M9-P
Sports photography with Nikon Z9
44
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (350 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
91
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (30.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is amazing (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
better than average battery (740 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9-P Travel photography factors
Nikon Z9 Travel photography factors
54
decent megapixels (18MP)
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (350 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
better than average battery (740 per charge)
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
boasts touch focus
resolution is amazing (46MP)
heavier than competition (1,340 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon Z9 as a Landscape photography camera
60
focusing manually
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
decent megapixels (18MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
supports RAW files
small screen (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (350 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
87
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is amazing (46 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
better than average battery (740 shots)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9-P Vlogging factors
Nikon Z9 Vlogging factors
9
no video
32
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 pixels)
includes external mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (1,340g)
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Leica M9-P vs Nikon Z9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9-P and Nikon Z9
 Leica M9-PNikon Z9
General Information
Brand Leica Nikon
Model type Leica M9-P Nikon Z9
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2011-06-21 2021-10-28
Physical type 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 18 megapixel 46 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5212 x 3472 8256 x 5504
Maximum native ISO 2500 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO - 32
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 493
Lens
Lens support Leica M Nikon Z
Amount of lenses 59 29
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 2,089k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.8x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 900 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs -
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 30.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 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 synchronize - 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
Maximum video resolution None 7680x4320
Video file format - H.264, H.265
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 pounds) 1340g (2.95 pounds)
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 All around rating 68 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 854 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 shots 740 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL18d
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card Dual CFexpress Type B slots
Card slots One Dual
Price at launch $7,995 $5,500