Leica M9-P vs Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III: An Expert’s Deep Dive Into Two Pro Mirrorless Icons

Choosing a camera can feel a bit like picking your favorite child - or grocery store cookie variety. Each option comes with a unique blend of strengths, quirks, and price tags. Today, we’re pitting two very different pro mirrorless cameras against each other: the Leica M9-P, a revered full-frame rangefinder from the dawn of digital Leica mastery, and the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, a technologically dense Micro Four Thirds powerhouse crafted for the modern versatile shooter.

Having handled thousands of cameras over 15 years - running through tech specs, vigorous field trials, pixel-peeping, and user experience nitpicks - this comparison aims to demystify what these giants offer, where they thrive, and who exactly they serve best. No marketing fluff here, just honest pros, cons, and practical recommendations.

First Impressions: Two Worlds, Two Eras, One Frame

At first glance, the Leica M9-P and Olympus E-M1 III couldn’t be more different - not just in design, but ethos. The M9-P is a quiet, retro-styled digital rangefinder that channels Leica’s storied heritage. In contrast, the E-M1 III embraces the full arsenal of ultra-modern tech in a rugged SLR-like mirrorless body.

Take a look at these images comparing their physical footprints:

The Leica's compact, angular form hugs the enthusiast with a love of minimalist controls and manual focus discipline, weighing in at 600 grams with a trim 139 x 80 x 37 mm profile. Meanwhile, Olympus posits a chunkier, weather-sealed body - the 580-gram E-M1 III is notably deeper (134 x 91 x 69 mm), packing a handier grip and extensive physical dials.

If you prize a device you can almost forget in your hand while crafting artful images, the Leica's low-profile charm is undeniable. But if you want commanding ergonomics designed for action - be it wildlife or sports - the Olympus might feel more at home.

Sensors and Image Quality – Where Pixels Make Their Mark

If image quality were the final frontier, much rides on sensor tech and processing chops. Let’s glance at the technical heart:

Leica M9-P: The CCD Classic

The M9-P employs a full-frame 36x24mm CCD sensor yielding 18MP resolution (5212 x 3472 pixels). This CCD sensor is a bit of a dinosaur by today’s CMOS standards but remains celebrated for its exceptional color depth (22.5-bit according to DxOMark) and high dynamic range (~11.6 EV). The lack of an anti-aliasing filter boosts micro-contrast and detail, giving images a distinctive punch with crisp fine textures and painterly skin tones that collectors covet.

Yet, the CCD sensor comes with ISO limitations - the max native ISO tops out at a modest 2500. Practically, this means low-light shooting requires careful exposure or supplemental lighting. The M9-P’s maximum shutter speed is 1/4000s, enough for typical daylight work, but without electronic shutter options.

Olympus E-M1 III: The Modern CMOS Wonder

Olympus opts for a 20MP Four Thirds sized CMOS sensor (17.4x13mm). Its smaller physical size - approximately 226 mm² versus Leica’s 864 mm² - means a bigger depth of field and higher crop factor (2.1x). But it more than makes up with advanced TruePic IX image processing, extending ISO up to 25600 (and down to 64 in extended modes), enabling serious low-light and high-speed shooting.

While the smaller sensor size traditionally equates to less ultimate resolution and somewhat less dynamic range, Olympus's modern chip balances a respectable tonal range, excellent color fidelity, though not quite in the rarefied atmosphere Leica’s CCD inhabits.

Bottom line: Leica M9-P excels at pure image quality for controlled studio, portrait, or landscape work under optimal light. Olympus presents a versatile, ISO-friendly sensor for aggressive, variable conditions where speed and adaptability shine.

Focusing and Autofocus: Patience vs Speed

Here is where Leica and Olympus embody opposite philosophies.

Leica M9-P: Manual Focus Mastery Only

No autofocus, no focus points, no face detection. Focusing via the M9-P’s classic optical rangefinder finder at 0.68x magnification is an art.

This requires a steady eye, precise control of the aperture ring, and familiarity with hyperfocal distance. For some shooters, especially portrait photographers and dedicated rangefinder fans, this is pure intimacy with their lens - a tactile joy enhancing connection to each shot.

However, this is a significant barrier for wildlife, sports, and run-and-gun photography, where subject movement and split-second timing demand technology. Leica’s manual-only focus also means no live view focus peaking or magnification aids.

Olympus E-M1 III: Autofocus on Steroids

Olympus takes autofocus seriously. With 121 phase-detection cross-type AF points covering most of the frame, face and eye-detection, and contrast-detection in live view mode, the E-M1 III offers blistering autofocus performance.

Continuous AF tracking up to 60 frames per second is available using the electronic shutter, making this body a beast for capturing fast wildlife or sports action. The mix of on-sensor PDAF and elaborate AF algorithms can maintain snappy, reliable focus on unpredictable subjects in moderately low light.

Focus bracketing and stacking give Olympus macro shooters tools Leica’s M9-P could only dream of.

Build Quality, Ergonomics, and Controls - Handling the Real World

Feel matters - and it affects how long you want to keep shooting and with what ease.

Here’s a side-by-side peek at the top controls and body design language:

Leica M9-P’s Minimalist Charm

The M9-P is unashamedly minimalist. With just a few dials - shutter speed, ISO, aperture, and a shutter release button - plus an exposure compensation wheel, it strips away distractions.

The fixed 2.5” low-res 230k LCD adds virtually zero live feedback; no live view, no touchscreen. The optical rangefinder is the lens - what you see is what you get (literally). Weight 600g makes it pleasantly portable but with enough solidity.

There’s no weather sealing here, and the body is vulnerable to dust and moisture - something to keep in mind if your adventures involve anything beyond pristine studio or cityscape conditions.

Olympus E-M1 III: Ergonomic Swiss Army Knife

Olympus counters with a weather-sealed body ready for freeze, rain, and dust. The deeply contoured grip and extensive button layouts - including customizable function buttons and a fully articulating 3” touchscreen LCD (with 1,037k dots) - offer tactile joy and workflow efficiency.

The 2.36M-dot EVF at 0.74x magnification offers precise framing and instant feedback - a far cry from the M9-P’s optical finder, especially in tricky light.

Double SD card slots with UHS-II support on slot 1 provide storage peace-of-mind for pros. Wireless connectivity (built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) integrates well with modern workflows.

While heavier than some micro four thirds models, at 580g it's still quite manageable for all-day shooting.

For users craving speed and control - especially in variable environments - the Olympus is undeniably the more rugged and ergonomic instrument.

A Quick Tour of Displays and Interface

Let’s examine how both cameras communicate information to the user:

Leica’s 2.5” LCD, while charmingly classic, is tiny and low-res, without live view or touchscreen input. Adjustments are wheel or dial-based - perfect for those who cherish old-school manual operation but challenging for photographers who expect overhead live exposure previews or immediate feedback.

Olympus’s touchscreen LCD not only offers touch AF and menu navigation, but can articulate 180 degrees for vlogging, selfies, or tricky angles. Combined with a high-res EVF, this camera promises a far more interactive and modern user experience.

Photography Disciplines in Action: Who Excels Where?

How do these cameras hold up across various photo genres? Let’s break it down by use case.

Portraiture: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

Leica’s M9-P, with full-frame CCD sensor and classic Leica M lenses, delivers sublime skin tone rendition and a characteristic three-dimensionality. The absence of autofocus encourages slower, more thoughtful composition - perfect for portraits that are as much about atmosphere as sharpness.

Bokeh from M-mount primes is buttery smooth and shapes the subject organically. However, the slow continuous shooting rate (2 fps) and lack of eye detection limit capturing fleeting expressions.

Olympus E-M1 III’s 20MP sensor and excellent autofocus with face and eye detection translate to practical portrait shooting. While the smaller sensor yields deeper depth of field (less subject isolation and creamier bokeh), excellent in-body stabilization aids sharp handheld shots at longer focal lengths. Portrait professionals valuing precision focus at speed may prefer Olympus’s tech.

Landscape: Dynamic Range, Resolution, Weather Sealing

Landscape photographers lust after sensor dynamic range and weather resistance. Leica’s CCD sensor scores an impressive ~11.6 EV DR, capturing deep shadows and nuanced skies beautifully.

Paired with high-quality Leica M wide-angle primes, the M9-P offers stellar resolution and color fidelity - if you don’t mind manual focus and no weather sealing. No in-body stabilization means tripods are a must for slow shutter landscapes.

Olympus’s E-M1 Mark III offers rugged weather sealing, a slightly lower dynamic range (due to smaller sensor and CMOS tech), but benefits from sophisticated image stabilization and 20MP resolution with excellent sharpness.

The heavier body and weather resistance make the Olympus a more versatile field companion for landscape pros who trek in unpredictable conditions.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed and Burst Rates

In these high-speed disciplines, the Leica M9-P is… sadly out of the race. Manual focus, 2 fps max burst, and lack of AF tracking render it a poor fit for fast, unpredictable subjects.

Olympus, however, is a champion here - up to 60 fps burst with autofocus, advanced subject tracking, and a rugged body allow photographers to chase birds in flight or fast soccer matches with confidence.

Street Photography and Travel: Discretion, Low-Light, Portability

Here the Leica's quiet shutter mechanism, retro styling, and compact build truly shine. The lack of an electronic viewfinder means you rely on rangefinder framing, minimizing screen glow. The CCD sensor’s smooth tonality and natural skin rendition make street portraits compelling.

Olympus is larger but still pocketable with smaller lenses, featuring versatile zooms and color-accurate JPEGs. However, louder shutter noise and more electronic interface can hinder stealth.

Battery life favors Olympus slightly (420 vs 350 shots per charge), and dual storage is a plus for travelers.

Macro and Night Photography: Stabilization and ISO Performance

Olympus’s 5-axis in-body stabilization paired with high native ISO up to 25600 and focus bracketing/stacking opens doors for macro and astro-photographers.

Leica’s M9-P lacks stabilization and doesn’t exceed ISO 2500 natively, limiting night performance. Its image quality does reward long exposures when used on a tripod, especially with fast primes.

Video Capabilities: Olympus Takes the Lead

Leica’s M9-P doesn’t offer video recording.

E-M1 Mark III shoots 4K UHD up to 30p, with full external microphone and headphone ports, plus HDMI output making it a serious hybrid tool for vloggers and filmmakers.

Connectivity, Storage, and Workflow Integration

As expected, the Leica makes do with just a USB 2.0 port and singular SD card slot - fine for simple transfer and backup.

Olympus edges ahead with USB 3.1 Gen 1 (faster transfers), dual SD cards with UHS-II speed support, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control and image transfer, and extended battery life.

This makes Olympus appealing to professional workflows demanding faster asset movement and networked operation.

Pricing and Value Analysis: The Elephant in the Room

Leica M9-P: ~$8000 USD (used market, as it’s discontinued but still revered). This places it firmly as a luxury, niche collector's item or tool for purists.

Olympus E-M1 III: ~$1800 USD new, offering tremendous bang for the buck considering features and durability. Pay for modern versatility, speed, and rugged engineering - at less than a quarter the price of the Leica.

Summing Up the Scores: Performance at a Glance

Here’s an overview of the overall and genre-specific performance, digesting years of measurements, lab tests, and field experience:

Leica M9-P dominates in pure image quality for portraits and controlled shooting but falters sharply in autofocus, burst, and versatility. Olympus E-M1 III excels in autofocus, speed, stabilization, video, weather sealing, and general adaptability - though with somewhat lower dynamic range and less ultimate resolution.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose Leica M9-P if:

• You crave classic Leica rangefinder experience, manual focus intimacy, and full-frame CCD image quality.
• Your photography is deliberate - portraits, fine art, and landscape under controlled lighting.
• Budget is no object and you value heritage and collector status.
• You don’t need autofocus, fast continuous shooting, video, or rugged weather sealing.

Choose Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III if:

• You want a versatile, rugged hybrid camera for wildlife, sports, travel, and event photography.
• Rapid autofocus and high burst rates are critical.
• You need excellent in-body stabilization and robust video capability.
• You want weather sealing and dual storage for professional robustness.
• Budget-conscious with a desire for a feature-packed, modern tool.

Closing Thoughts: Different Cameras for Different Souls

Comparing the Leica M9-P and Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is really a dialogue between legacy craftsmanship and contemporary technology. The Leica M9-P invites deliberate artistry, a slower pace, an embrace of photographic history. The Olympus E-M1 III urges adaptability, speed, and corner-cutting versatility to excel in today’s fast-paced shooting worlds.

Neither camera is strictly “better.” They serve different creative instincts, styles, and shooting conditions. The joy is in knowing what matters most to you as a photographer - and picking the tool that empowers your vision with confidence.

Bonus: See Them in Action

Wondering how the two cameras’ output compares? Check out these sample images side-by-side to judge for yourself:

Leica M9 P screen back Olympus E M1 III front Olympus E M1 III screen back

From skin tone nuances to low-light detail, to the whole composition and mood - they both have stories to tell.

At the end of the day, both the Leica M9-P and Olympus E-M1 III are remarkable tools crafted with passion. I encourage you to try them hands-on if you can - nothing replaces the magic of feeling a camera truly fit you.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera be your trusty creative companion!

Author’s Note: All DxOMark data and specs referenced here are as of early 2024, compiled from trusted lab tests and personal evaluations.