Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R
78 Imaging
63 Features
30 Overall
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78 Imaging
73 Features
76 Overall
74
Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R Key Specs
(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
- Announced June 2011
- Old Model is Leica M9
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
- Launched February 2014
- Newer Model is Sony A7R II

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R Overview
Let's look a bit more closely at the Leica M9-P versus Sony A7R, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Leica and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the M9-P (18MP) and A7R (36MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

The M9-P was launched 3 years prior to the A7R and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Leica M9-P being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the M9-P matches up versus the A7R for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Leica M9-P and Sony Alpha A7R. The complete galleries are provided at Leica M9-P Gallery and Sony A7R Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M9-P over the Sony A7R
M9-P | A7R |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Leica M9-P
A7R | M9-P | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2014 | ![]() | June 2011 | More recent by 32 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+1000k dot) |
Common features in the Leica M9-P and Sony A7R
M9-P | A7R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Leica M9-P provides exterior measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony A7R has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs).
Take a look at the Leica M9-P versus Sony A7R in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the M9-P versus the A7R.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the M9-P and A7R is 78 and 78 respectively.

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's hard to visualize the difference between sensor measurements merely by going over specs. The visual here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the M9-P and A7R.
All in all, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Sony A7R to deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older M9-P is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R Specifications
Leica M9-P | Sony Alpha A7R | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Leica | Sony |
Model | Leica M9-P | Sony Alpha A7R |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Announced | 2011-06-21 | 2014-02-13 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 864.0mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 36 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 7360 x 4912 |
Maximum native ISO | 2500 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Leica M | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 59 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 1,230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT color LCD | Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames per sec | 4.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
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 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 600g (1.32 pounds) | 465g (1.03 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 68 | 95 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 25.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.6 | 14.1 |
DXO Low light score | 854 | 2746 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 images | 340 images |
Battery format | 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 recording | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $7,995 | $1,898 |