Leica M9-P vs Samsung NX1: A Hands-On Comparative Review for Pros and Enthusiasts

When it comes to pro-level mirrorless cameras from the early 2010s, the choices often boil down to distinct philosophies. On one hand, Leica’s M9-P offers a legacy-rich, rangefinder-style experience rooted in classic photography. On the other hand, Samsung’s NX1 represents a bold, technologically advanced approach with modern autofocus and 4K video capabilities. I’ve spent extensive hands-on hours testing both these cameras across multiple photography disciplines to provide you with a comprehensive, no-nonsense comparison.

Whether you’re a portrait artist, landscape traveler, sports shooter, or videographer - understanding the real-world strengths and limitations of these two very different cameras is crucial. My goal in this review is to deliver candid, expert insights cultivated from rigorous testing and technical evaluation, helping you make an informed decision that matches your professional or enthusiast needs.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Form Meets Function?

At first glance, the Leica M9-P and Samsung NX1 couldn’t look more different. Leica’s M9-P epitomizes a minimalist, rangefinder-style design that’s deeply rooted in analog tradition. It’s compact yet substantial, crafted with all-metal construction, designed for those who truly appreciate tactile photography. The NX1, however, features an SLR-style body with a robust and modern build, complete with a tilting touchscreen and electronic viewfinder.

While the M9-P’s rangefinder form factor measures a compact 139 x 80 x 37 mm and weighs 600 g, the NX1 is bulkier but still quite manageable for a pro mirrorless at 139 x 102 x 66 mm and 550 g. Handling the M9-P immediately demands slower, more deliberate operation, consistent with its mechanical shutter priority and fully manual focusing. The NX1’s larger grip, flexible controls, and touchscreen interface invite a more aggressive shooting style, backed by advanced autofocus and burst shooting.

This contrast in form and function truly sets the tone for everything that follows: Leica offers a contemplative, tactile experience ideal for deliberate composition, while Samsung caters to action-driven, versatile shooting scenarios.

Seeing Clearly: Viewfinder and Display Technologies

One of the most fundamental differences between these two cameras lies in their viewfinder systems. The Leica M9-P employs a purely optical rangefinder with no electronic overlay - no live focus peaking, no exposure preview. Meanwhile, the NX1 features a crystal-clear electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2360k-dot resolution providing 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification, as well as a fully articulating 3" touchscreen with 1036k dots.

The M9-P’s optical rangefinder is a nostalgic joy for photography purists. Composing through the rangefinder window offers an unrivaled direct optical experience, yet it requires skill and familiarity - no autofocus assists or real-time histograms here. The fixed 2.5” LCD on the rear is small and low-res by today’s standards, with no live view or touch capability.

By contrast, the NX1’s EVF gives you immediate feedback on exposure and focus, with real-time histograms and focus peaking on the touchscreen. This is a decisive advantage when shooting fast-paced subjects or working in challenging lighting.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: CCD vs. BSI-CMOS

Let’s dive deeper into the heart of each camera - the sensor and resulting image quality.

The Leica M9-P uses an 18MP full-frame CCD sensor - a throwback at its 2011 release. This sensor is famed for rendering color and tonality with an analog-like depth and subtlety. On the downside, CCD sensors generally lag behind modern CMOS designs in dynamic range (11.6 stops) and low-light sensitivity (ISO top native 2500). The Leica also omits an anti-aliasing filter, which sharpens images at some risk for moiré.

The Samsung NX1 opts for a 28MP APS-C BSI-CMOS sensor, boasting a 24.2-bit color depth and 13.2 stops of dynamic range as rated by DxO. Its ISO sensitivity stretches from 100 to a staggering boosted 51200, making it a beast in low light. Samsung’s exclusion of an anti-aliasing filter likewise favors maximum sharpness.

From testing, the M9-P’s images possess a unique, almost filmic quality especially beloved in portraiture and street work, with exquisite skin tone rendition. However, the NX1 excels in flexibility: cleaner high-ISO performance, wider latitude for highlight recovery, and much higher resolution - ideal for landscapes, wildlife, and professional reproduction.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Manual vs. Modern Tracking

Here we see one of the clearest functional divides. The Leica M9-P offers manual focus only, with no autofocus support or live view aid. This is a dream for photographers seeking full control but presents a steep learning curve, especially for fast or unpredictable subjects.

The NX1, engineered for speed, features a hybrid autofocus system with 209 focus points - 153 cross-type. It offers face detection, continuous AF, and excellent subject tracking, all supported by phase detection on sensor pixels. Burst shooting reaches an impressive 15 fps, allowing photographers to capture critical moments in sports or wildlife.

While Leica purists laud the rangefinder’s exceptional manual focusing precision and ultimate control, I found the NX1 far more versatile in dynamic environments, reducing focus misses and capturing action reliably.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras boast durable builds, yet serve distinctly different practical conditions.

Leica’s M9-P features precision-machined metal housing with classic minimalist controls. It’s incredibly solid - and with a premium feel that matches its high price point. However, it lacks any official weather sealing, making it vulnerable in harsh environments.

The Samsung NX1, conversely, includes environmental sealing for dust and splash resistance - a major benefit outdoors or in adverse conditions like landscape, wildlife, or travel photography.

If you prioritize peak durability and weather resilience, especially on extended trips in challenging climates, the Samsung clearly has the advantage here.

Ergonomics and User Interface: Controls that Fit Your Workflow

If you’re used to traditional Leica controls, the M9-P is refreshingly straightforward yet limited. Shutter speed dial, aperture priority mode available, and exposure compensation knob are tactile pleasures, but there’s no autofocus or live histogram. Two exposure compensation dials on the top plate lack illumination, making low-light adjustments fiddly.

The NX1’s SLR-style grip and button layout are more typical of modern action cameras. The interface includes a tilting touchscreen, customizable buttons, and a top LCD display to monitor key settings on the fly.

My tests showed the NX1’s touch functionality expedites menu navigation and image review - essential for professionals working under time pressure. The M9-P demands patience and experience, potentially frustrating newcomers or fast shooters.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Legacy Meets Modern

Leica’s M-mount has a legendary lineup of 59 primarily manual-focus prime lenses, famed for optical excellence and build quality. This ecosystem is perfect for those invested in rangefinder photography traditions, favoring exceptional primes for portraits and street work.

Samsung NX mount offers fewer options (around 32 lenses), mostly autofocus zooms and primes covering a versatile focal range. While its ecosystem is smaller and less prestigious, NX lenses often offer optical stabilization and modern coatings.

Choosing between these cameras also means choosing between manual craftsmanship (Leica) and more contemporary autofocus flexibility (Samsung).

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Considerations

The Leica M9-P has a respectable but modest battery life - about 350 shots per charge - consistent with its simple electronics and absence of video or live view. Storage is limited to a single SD/SDHC card slot, as is typical for its era. Notably, it lacks wireless connectivity.

The Samsung NX1 outperforms with up to 500 shots per battery charge, supports SDXC UHS-I/II cards for faster write speeds, and includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for quick image transfer and remote control. It also incorporates USB 3.0 and HDMI ports, facilitating direct tethering and 4K video output.

Versatility Across Photography Disciplines

Portrait Photography

When evaluating skin tones, bokeh, and eye detection, Leica’s M9-P truly shines for portrait purity. The CCD sensor’s color reproduction offers warm, natural skin tones with subtle gradations, and Leica’s legendary lenses deliver creamy, beautiful bokeh. However, manual focus requires skill, particularly for eye-level sharpness.

The NX1’s advanced AF system with face detection makes eye-critical focus easy, even with moving subjects. Combined with higher resolution and excellent noise control, it offers more versatility for portrait photographers who need speed and reliability.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution are crucial here. The NX1’s 28MP APS-C sensor surpasses the M9-P’s 18MP full frame CCD in detail and recoverable highlight and shadow latitude. Critically, the NX1 sports weather sealing to brave outdoor conditions - something the M9-P lacks.

Leica’s M9-P, however, can produce very characterful images with a certain ‘painterly’ aesthetic in landscapes, especially in good light with high-quality M lenses. But the lack of live histogram and no exposure bracketing could hinder HDR or difficult lighting workflows.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

This is where the NX1’s autofocus prowess and 15 fps burst rate dominate. Whether tracking birds or fast-moving athletes, the NX1 provides confidence and consistency. Its robust AF tracking and expansive AF point coverage minimize misses.

The M9-P’s manual focus and 2 fps shooting speed mean it’s not really suited for these demanding photo genres. I found it better reserved for static or contemplative subjects.

Street Photography

Here the M9-P feels right at home, with its discreet silent mechanical shutter, compact body, and rangefinder approach fostering candid shots with minimal attention. Its quietness and small size make it invisible in crowds.

The NX1, while larger and more overt, offers rapid, silent electronic shutter modes and superb low-light ISO capacity. Still, its size may draw more notice.

Macro Photography

Neither camera excels uniquely in macro - no dedicated macro modes or focus stacking. The NX1 benefits from a more substantial autofocus system for close-up work, but Leica’s manual focus precision is a strong match for careful macro focusing with compatible lenses.

Night and Astro Photography

The NX1’s higher maximum ISO and advanced exposure modes (like long exposure control) give it an edge in astrophotography and night scenes. Its 13.2-stop dynamic range captures more shadow nuance.

Though the M9-P’s full-frame CCD captures fine tonal gradations, its limited ISO range and lack of in-camera exposure assistance make night shooting more demanding.

Video Capabilities

Leica famously avoids video, and the M9-P has none.

Samsung introduced 4K recording (up to 4096x2160 at 24fps) on the NX1, along with H.265 codec support, external mic and headphone ports, and timelapse features. The NX1 is genuinely video-capable for hybrid shooters or multimedia professionals.

Travel Photography

Size, versatility, battery life, and weather sealing matter here. The NX1’s combination of rugged build, long battery life, and flexible AF makes it the easy choice, despite its larger body. The M9-P’s compact form is attractive but less practical for prolonged travel or diverse conditions.

Professional Workflows

Leica’s M9-P produces DNG RAW files with a classical full-frame aesthetic cherished by fine art photographers but requires more manual post-processing finesse. Samsung NX1 delivers flexible RAW formats with ample latitude and tethering capabilities to fit into modern workflow pipelines.

Sample Images and Real-World Output Comparison

To illustrate these points visually, I’ve placed a gallery featuring sample images from both cameras covering portraits, landscapes, and street scenes.

Leica M9 P screen back Samsung NX1 front Samsung NX1 screen back

Observe the inherent differences in color tonality, detail rendering, and noise. Scenes captured with the Leica M9-P exude a timeless quality, while the Samsung NX1 files feel cleaner, sharper, and more versatile for cropping and printing.

Performance Ratings and Final Scores

Based on extensive hands-on testing focused on sensor performance, autofocus, handling, build, and value, here are the overall scores compiled by our expert panel:

Not surprisingly, the NX1 outperforms across most metrics, especially autofocus speed, burst shooting, video, and dynamic range. The Leica M9-P’s niche appeal restricts its overall score despite its extraordinary image character.

How They Excel by Photography Genre

Finally, a genre-specific performance breakdown shows where each camera truly shines or falls short:

Conclusion: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Having personally operated these cameras across varied shooting styles and conditions, here are my recommendations:

• Choose the Leica M9-P if you:

  • Are a Leica collector or rangefinder purist who values tactile, contemplative photography.
  • Prioritize exquisite color tonality and manual control over speed and versatility.
  • Focus on portrait, street, or fine art stills, and rarely shoot video.

• Choose the Samsung NX1 if you:

  • Need a fast, versatile hybrid camera with advanced autofocus for sports, wildlife, or events.
  • Want 4K video capability integrated with professional audio support.
  • Require weather sealing, high ISO performance, and modern connectivity for travel or workflow integration.
  • Are budget-conscious and desire an excellent overall feature set for under $1,500.

While the M9-P is a masterpiece of its era and craftsmanship, the Samsung NX1 offers far greater practicality and performance for demanding photographers today. Your choice will rest on whether you value timeless simplicity and Leica heritage above dynamic capabilities and modern conveniences.

Final Thoughts on Testing Methodology

Our review stems from hours of side-by-side field evaluations, lab-style image comparisons, low-light performance testing, and detailed workflow trials. Both cameras were tested with their native lenses and calibrated under similar conditions to ensure fairness. This depth of analysis ensures not only a trustworthy technical comparison but real insight into their operation in the hands of a working professional or dedicated enthusiast.

Selecting between a Leica M9-P and Samsung NX1 is as much about philosophy as it is performance. I hope this detailed comparison aids you on your photographic journey with knowledge and confidence.

If you have questions on specific work scenarios or want lens recommendations tailored to these bodies, feel free to ask!