Leica M9-P vs Sony NEX-5N
78 Imaging
64 Features
30 Overall
50


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Leica M9-P vs Sony NEX-5N 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
- Introduced June 2011
- Previous Model is Leica M9
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Launched October 2011
- Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
- Replacement is Sony NEX-5R

Leica M9-P vs Sony NEX-5N Overview
In this article, we will be looking at the Leica M9-P and Sony NEX-5N, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Sony. The resolution of the M9-P (18MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is relatively close but the M9-P (Full frame) and NEX-5N (APS-C) possess totally different sensor measurements.

The M9-P was manufactured 3 months before the NEX-5N so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the M9-P matches up vs the NEX-5N when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Leica M9-P vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Leica M9-P and Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The entire galleries are viewable at Leica M9-P Gallery and Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M9-P over the Sony NEX-5N
M9-P | NEX-5N |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Leica M9-P
NEX-5N | M9-P | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Leica M9-P and Sony NEX-5N
M9-P | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2011 | ![]() | October 2011 | Same generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Leica M9-P vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Leica M9-P features exterior dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Analyze the Leica M9-P and Sony NEX-5N in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the M9-P vs the NEX-5N.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the M9-P and NEX-5N is 78 and 89 respectively.

Leica M9-P vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching a spec sheet. The visual here might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M9-P and NEX-5N.
As you can see, the two cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The M9-P because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Leica M9-P will provide you with greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a little more aggressively.

Leica M9-P vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9-P vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Leica M9-P | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Leica | Sony |
Model | Leica M9-P | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
Category | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2011-06-21 | 2011-10-03 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 2500 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Leica M | Sony E |
Available lenses | 59 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 2.5" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT color LCD | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 600 grams (1.32 lbs) | 269 grams (0.59 lbs) |
Dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 68 | 77 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.6 | 12.7 |
DXO Low light score | 854 | 1079 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photos | 460 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $7,995 | $550 |