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Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R

Portability
78
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9-P front
 
Sony Alpha A7R front
Portability
78
Imaging
73
Features
76
Overall
74

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R 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
  • Announced June 2011
  • Old Model is Leica M9
Sony A7R
(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
Photography Glossary

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).

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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.

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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 
LaunchedFebruary 2014June 2011More recent by 32 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1230k230kCrisper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R size comparison

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

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9-P Portrait photography highlights
Sony A7R Portrait photography highlights
69
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
83
focusing manually
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M9-P Street photography features
Sony A7R Street photography features
64
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
79
has a tilting screen
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
lighter than competition in class (465 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9-P Sports photography details
Sony A7R Sports photography details
44
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have liveview
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
bad battery (350 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
61
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
excellent megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
terrible battery life (340 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M9-P
Travel photography with Sony A7R
53
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery (350 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition in class (465g)
weather proofing
excellent megapixels (36MP)
terrible battery life (340 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica M9-P
Landscape photography with Sony A7R
60
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
bad battery (350 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
excellent megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
no image stabilization
terrible battery life (340 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9-P Vlogging highlights
Sony A7R Vlogging highlights
9
can't shoot video
36
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic jack
lighter than competition in class (465g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
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Leica M9-P vs Sony A7R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9-P and Sony A7R
 Leica M9-PSony 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