Clicky

Leica M9-P vs Sony A9

Portability
78
Imaging
64
Features
30
Overall
50
Leica M9-P front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Leica M9-P vs Sony A9 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
  • Revealed June 2011
  • Earlier Model is Leica M9
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Announced April 2017
  • Newer Model is Sony A9 II
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Leica M9-P vs Sony A9 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Leica M9-P and Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the M9-P (18MP) and A9 (24MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (Full frame).

AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

The M9-P was manufactured 6 years earlier than the A9 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Leica M9-P being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a concise view of how the M9-P matches up versus the A9 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M9-P over the Sony A9

 M9-P A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Leica M9-P

 A9 M9-P 
AnnouncedApril 2017June 2011Fresher by 70 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1440k230kSharper screen (+1210k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M9-P and Sony A9

 M9-P A9 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Leica M9-P vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and size. 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 A9 has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Analyze the Leica M9-P and Sony A9 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the M9-P compared to the A9.

Leica M9-P vs Sony A9 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M9-P and A9 is 78 and 65 respectively.

Leica M9-P vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9-P vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by looking through specs. The graphic here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the M9-P and A9.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Sony A9 to render more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The older M9-P will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica M9-P vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Leica M9-P vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9-P vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M9-P
Portrait photography with Sony A9
70
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
84
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica M9-P
Street photography with Sony A9
64
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
79
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
weather proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Sports Comparison

Leica M9-P Sports photography info
Sony A9 Sports photography info
44
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
no phase detect AF
87
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery pack (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Travel Comparison

Leica M9-P Travel photography highlights
Sony A9 Travel photography highlights
54
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (350 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly display
74
great battery pack (650 shots)
weather proof
has bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Landscape Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
60
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
86
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
great battery pack (650 shots)
has double storage slots
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica M9-P
Vlogging with Sony A9
9
no video recording
37
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone port
does not contain selfie friendly screen
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Leica M9-P vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9-P and Sony A9
 Leica M9-PSony Alpha A9
General Information
Company Leica Sony
Model type Leica M9-P Sony Alpha A9
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-06-21 2017-04-19
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5212 x 3472 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 2500 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 693
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Sony E
Number of lenses 59 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 pounds) 673g (1.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 68 92
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 13.3
DXO Low light rating 854 3517
Other
Battery life 350 shots 650 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots One 2
Launch pricing $7,995 $4,498