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Leica M9-P vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
78
Imaging
64
Features
30
Overall
50
Leica M9-P front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66

Leica M9-P vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Leica M9-P
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 2500
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 600g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Replaced the Leica M9
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Announced August 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-S2
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Leica M9-P vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Leica M9-P vs Pentax K-S1, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Leica and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the M9-P (18MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is relatively similar but the M9-P (Full frame) and K-S1 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The M9-P was revealed 4 years before the K-S1 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Leica M9-P being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the M9-P scores vs the K-S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9-P over the Pentax K-S1

 M9-P K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Leica M9-P

 K-S1 M9-P 
AnnouncedAugust 2014June 2011Newer by 38 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Leica M9-P and Pentax K-S1

 M9-P K-S1 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Leica M9-P vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera often, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Leica M9-P offers exterior dimensions 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 Pentax K-S1 has sizing of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica M9-P vs Pentax K-S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the M9-P compared to the K-S1.

Leica M9-P vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the M9-P and K-S1 is 78 and 69 respectively.

Leica M9-P vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9-P vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by going over specs. The image underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the M9-P and K-S1.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The M9-P with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Pentax K-S1 will deliver greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged M9-P is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica M9-P vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Leica M9-P vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9-P vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
70
you can focus manually
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
78
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica M9-P
Street photography with Pentax K-S1
64
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
good high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Sports photography camera
44
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
bad battery power (350 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
69
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (5.4 frames per second)
not so great battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9-P Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography highlights
54
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (350 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
lighter than competition in class (558g)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
60
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5")
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
bad battery power (350 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
not so great battery (410 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Vlogging camera
9
lack of video recording
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Leica M9-P vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9-P and Pentax K-S1
 Leica M9-PPentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Name Leica Pentax
Model Leica M9-P Pentax K-S1
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-06-21 2014-08-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 5212 x 3472 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 2500 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica M Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 59 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lb) 558 grams (1.23 lb)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 68 78
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 13.0
DXO Low light score 854 1061
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 410 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $7,995 $339