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Leica M9-P vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
78
Imaging
64
Features
30
Overall
50
Leica M9-P front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Leica M9-P vs Pentax Q-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
  • Previous Model is Leica M9
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Revealed August 2014
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Leica M9-P vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Leica M9-P vs Pentax Q-S1, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the M9-P (18MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the M9-P (Full frame) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") posses different sensor size.

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The M9-P was announced 4 years prior to the Q-S1 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the M9-P grades against the Q-S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 M9-P Q-S1 

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

 Q-S1 M9-P 
RevealedAugust 2014June 2011More modern by 38 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

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

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

Leica M9-P vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Leica M9-P offers exterior dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

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Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the M9-P compared to the Q-S1.

Leica M9-P vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M9-P and Q-S1 is 78 and 92 respectively.

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

Leica M9-P vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizes just by seeing a spec sheet. The image underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the M9-P and Q-S1.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The M9-P having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Leica M9-P will provide extra detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged M9-P will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
70
manual focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
46
manual focus
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica M9-P
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
64
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (203 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
44
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no liveview feature
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9-P Travel photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography factors
54
megapixel count good (18MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery pack (350 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than average (203g)
built-in flash
low battery life (250 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
60
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (350 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9-P Vlogging details
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging details
9
can't shoot video
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (203g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic support
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Leica M9-P vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9-P and Pentax Q-S1
 Leica M9-PPentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Leica Pentax
Model Leica M9-P Pentax Q-S1
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-06-21 2014-08-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Q Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5212 x 3472 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 2500 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Pentax Q
Available lenses 59 8
Crop factor 1 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600g (1.32 pounds) 203g (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 68 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 854 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 250 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $7,995 $250