Clicky

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7 II

Portability
78
Imaging
64
Features
30
Overall
50
Leica M9-P front
 
Sony Alpha A7 II front
Portability
69
Imaging
72
Features
84
Overall
76

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7 II 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
  • Launched June 2011
  • Superseded the Leica M9
Sony A7 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 599g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Introduced November 2014
  • Replaced the Sony A7
  • Later Model is Sony A7 III
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7 II Overview

Let's look more closely at the Leica M9-P vs Sony A7 II, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Leica and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the M9-P (18MP) and A7 II (24MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (Full frame).

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The M9-P was manufactured 4 years before the A7 II which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Leica M9-P being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the M9-P scores against the A7 II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M9-P over the Sony A7 II

 M9-P A7 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 II over the Leica M9-P

 A7 II M9-P 
IntroducedNovember 2014June 2011More modern by 41 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1230k230kCrisper screen (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Leica M9-P and Sony A7 II

 M9-P A7 II 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7 II Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Leica M9-P comes with physical measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony A7 II has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") having a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Analyze the Leica M9-P vs Sony A7 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the M9-P and the A7 II.

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7 II size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M9-P and A7 II is 78 and 69 respectively.

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7 II top view buttons comparison

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes just by reading through technical specs. The pic underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the M9-P and A7 II.

As you can tell, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Sony A7 II to resolve more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged M9-P is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7 II sensor size comparison

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7 II Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7 II as a Portrait photography camera
70
manual focus
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
83
has manual focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Street photography camera
Sony A7 II as a Street photography camera
64
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
81
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
above average ISO range (25,600)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7 II as a Sports photography camera
44
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low battery (350 per charge)
no phase detect AF
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (5.0 frames/s)
low battery pack (350 per charge)
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Travel Comparison

Leica M9-P Travel photography information
Sony A7 II Travel photography information
54
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
low battery (350 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
62
weather proofing
decent MP (24 megapixels)
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Leica M9-P Landscape photography factors
Sony A7 II Landscape photography factors
60
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
resolution is good (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low battery (350 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9-P Vlogging info
Sony A7 II Vlogging info
9
no video recording
37
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9-P and Sony A7 II
 Leica M9-PSony Alpha A7 II
General Information
Brand Leica Sony
Model Leica M9-P Sony Alpha A7 II
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2011-06-21 2014-11-20
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5212 x 3472 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 2500 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 117
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Sony E
Available lenses 59 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 1,230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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) 599g (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 68 90
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 13.6
DXO Low light score 854 2449
Other
Battery life 350 shots 350 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $7,995 $1,456