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Leica M9-P vs Sony a1

Portability
78
Imaging
64
Features
30
Overall
50
Leica M9-P front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Leica M9-P vs Sony a1 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
  • Superseded the Leica M9
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Introduced January 2021
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Leica M9-P vs Sony a1 Overview

The following is a detailed comparison of the Leica M9-P and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Leica and Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the M9-P (18MP) and a1 (50MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The M9-P was released 10 years earlier than the a1 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Leica M9-P being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the M9-P scores against the a1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9-P over the Sony a1

 M9-P a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Leica M9-P

 a1 M9-P 
IntroducedJanuary 2021June 2011Newer by 116 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1440k230kClearer screen (+1210k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M9-P and Sony a1

 M9-P a1 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Leica M9-P vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Leica M9-P features external 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 a1 has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Check the Leica M9-P and Sony a1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the M9-P against the a1.

Leica M9-P vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the M9-P and a1 is 78 and 61 respectively.

Leica M9-P vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9-P vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions just by researching specifications. The image here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the M9-P and a1.

Plainly, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Sony a1 to render extra detail as a result of its extra 32 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged M9-P will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica M9-P vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Leica M9-P vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9-P vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9-P Portrait photography factors
Sony a1 Portrait photography factors
70
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
89
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/400 seconds)
high megapixels (50 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M9-P Street photography highlights
Sony a1 Street photography highlights
64
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
79
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch to focus
weather proofing
great ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9-P Sports photography highlights
Sony a1 Sports photography highlights
44
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no liveview feature
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (350 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
91
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (30.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (50 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
better than average battery life (530 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Travel photography camera
Sony a1 as a Travel photography camera
54
megapixel count decent (18MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery life (350 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
74
better than average battery life (530 shots)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
high megapixels (50MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica M9-P
Landscape photography with Sony a1
60
focusing manually
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (350 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
88
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (50MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
great ISO range (32,000)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
better than average battery life (530 per charge)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9-P Vlogging details
Sony a1 Vlogging details
9
lack of video recording
37
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (7680 x 4320 pixels)
does have external microphone support
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Leica M9-P vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9-P and Sony a1
 Leica M9-PSony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model Leica M9-P Sony Alpha a1
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-06-21 2021-01-26
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5212 x 3472 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO 2500 32000
Max enhanced ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Sony E
Amount of lenses 59 133
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/400 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution None 7680x4320
Video file format - XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 gr (1.32 pounds) 737 gr (1.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 68 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 854 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 530 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots 1 Two
Price at release $7,995 $6,498