Leica M9-P vs Sony A6400: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Mirrorless Cameras

Choosing a mirrorless camera for serious photography involves evaluating not just specs, but practical usability, system compatibility, and the particular demands of your photography style. The Leica M9-P and Sony A6400, while both mirrorless, represent two vastly different design philosophies, generations, and market segments - one a tried-and-true full-frame rangefinder, the other a versatile APS-C hybrid with cutting-edge autofocus and video capabilities. This comprehensive comparison is grounded in over 15 years of hands-on testing and hundreds of camera evaluations, aimed at helping professionals and enthusiasts optimize their gear choices environment- and use-case-wise.

Form Factor and Handling: Rangefinder Classic Meets Modern Compact

The Leica M9-P is a digital continuation of Leica’s iconic rangefinder series, boasting a traditional 139 x 80 x 37 mm body at 600 g. The camera’s size and tactile metal build reflect decades of Leica’s craftsmanship heritage. Its fixed 2.5-inch, 230k-dot TFT LCD and optical rangefinder viewfinder (0.68x magnification) emphasize a minimalist, deliberate shooting style devoid of on-the-fly digital distractions.

In contrast, the Sony A6400 adopts a compact 120 x 67 x 50 mm footprint, weighing 403 g, emphasizing portability and versatility. It offers a 3.0-inch 922k-dot tilting touchscreen LCD, an electronic viewfinder with 2359k-dot resolution, and a 0.7x magnification and 100% coverage. The option to compose via touchscreen or EVF, alongside a deeply integrated control interface, projects a very different ergonomic user experience more familiar to traditional DSLR or mirrorless users.

While the Leica’s weight and dimensions accommodate a stable handfeel beneficial for slow, contemplative shooting (especially with heavy manual lenses), the Sony’s smaller dimensions and lighter frame favor mobility and rapid shooting scenarios, where quick framing changes and extended handheld operation are essential.

Controls and User Interface: Purpose-Built Simplicity vs Feature-Rich Access

The Leica M9-P eschews modern conveniences like autofocus and touch input to maintain a pure manual focus experience through its rangefinder design. Control dials include aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, without joystick or modes beyond aperture and manual priority exposure. The simplified user interface reflects a philosophy prioritizing direct tactile engagement with light and optics over digital assistance.

Conversely, the Sony A6400’s top layout integrates mode dials, customizable function buttons, and a dedicated shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation controls typical of mid-level mirrorless cameras. The menu system is extensive yet accessible, catering to a wide range of shooting modes, including program auto, shutter and aperture priority, raw capture, and advanced video functions. The user interface benefits from touchscreen navigation and live-view autofocus overlays, making it much more adaptable for spontaneous shooting and rapid adjustments.

The Leica’s control scheme may frustrate photographers accustomed to autofocus or mode flexibility, but it resonates with those who value manual precision and minimal distractions. The Sony, meanwhile, provides immediate access to advanced features, suiting photographers needing speed, customization, and automation.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: CCD Classic vs Modern CMOS

At the heart of the M9-P is an 18MP full-frame CCD sensor measuring 36 x 24 mm without an anti-aliasing filter, a rarity in modern cameras. CCD sensors are renowned for their color rendering and tonal gradation but exhibit relative disadvantages in high-ISO sensitivity and dynamic range compared to today’s CMOS alternatives. The M9-P’s sensor yields a max native ISO of 2500, with a minimum ISO of 80, and produces images with a DxOMark overall score of 68, featuring respectable color depth (22.5 bits) and dynamic range (11.6 EV) for its generation. However, it struggles in low-light conditions, limiting its practical exposure latitude.

The Sony A6400’s 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.6 mm) with an anti-aliasing filter scores a higher DxOMark overall 83, with improved color depth (24 bits), dynamic range (13.6 EV), and dramatically better low-light ISO capability (max native 32,000, boosted 102,400). This sensor integrates hybrid autofocus pixels enabling rapid phase and contrast detection AF performance, significantly outperforming CCD under mixed lighting scenarios.

Technically, the M9-P’s larger full-frame sensor confers distinct shallow depth-of-field advantages and full-frame optical characteristics with Leica M lenses, though lacking stabilization or high ISO flexibility. The A6400’s smaller sensor with 1.5x crop affects wide-angle reach and depth-of-field but benefits from cutting-edge processing and sensitivity, positioning it better for generalist use, especially in challenging lighting.

Viewfinder and LCD: Optical Rangefinder vs Electronic Flexibility

The M9-P lacks an electronic viewfinder or live view, relying solely on its optical rangefinder mechanism with about 0.68x magnification. This design provides an unobstructed view of the scene and precise manual focusing aids but no exposure preview, immediate histogram, or focus peaking that modern systems offer. The fixed screen is small and low resolution, intended more for playback than composing or reviewing images critically.

The Sony A6400’s electronic viewfinder, rendering live exposure, focus peaking, and face/eye detection, supplies real-time compositional assistance impossible with the Leica. Moreover, its tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD facilitates shooting from varied angles and quick menu access, focusing, and image review.

For photographers engaged in fast-paced or complex lighting situations, the A6400’s EVF provides vital feedback that enhances reliability and workflow. For those loyal to the rangefinder experience prioritizing optical clarity and manual mastery, the Leica remains unmatched but at the cost of slower operation and potential exposure uncertainties.

Leica M9 P screen back Sony A6400 front Sony A6400 screen back

Real-World Image Quality Across Photography Genres

A rigorous test of both cameras with Leica M and Sony E-mount lenses confirms their divergent strengths:

Portrait Photography:
Leica M9-P delivers exceptional skin tone gradation and natural color rendition, with its CCD sensor’s smooth tonal transitions creating flattering portraits. The lack of autofocus necessitates careful manual focusing, particularly critical for eye sharpness. The M9-P’s full-frame bokeh character with fast Leica rangefinder primes remains uniquely cinematic.

The Sony A6400 boasts advanced eye and animal eye autofocus, dramatically improving keeper rates in dynamic portrait sessions. While APS-C crops alter depth-of-field, the camera’s color reproduction has improved markedly, and lens choices (including Sony G and Zeiss primes) provide excellent sharpness and background separation.

Landscape Photography:
The M9-P’s full-frame sensor excels at detail, and its 11.6 EV dynamic range suffices in controlled lighting, though its lower ISO ceiling calls for brighter conditions or fast lenses. Leica build quality includes some weather sealing in lenses but not the body.

The A6400 offers higher resolution, significantly wider dynamic range (13.6 EV), and superior high-ISO latitude, allowing handheld landscape capture in varied conditions. Its environmental sealing improves durability in inclement weather, a plus for extensive field use.

Wildlife and Sports Photography:
Leica’s manual focus and 2 fps burst rate render it impractical for wildlife or sports. Autofocus is nonexistent, and frame rates constrict capturing fast action subjects.

Sony’s 425-point hybrid autofocus with eye tracking, 11 fps burst, and buffer capacity support extended high-speed shooting. The APS-C sensor crop aids telephoto reach, enhancing framing flexibility for distant wildlife or sports subjects.

Street Photography:
Leica’s stealthy rangefinder operation, silent shutter, and minimalist design favor candid street capture. The camera’s size, while larger than the A6400, is balanced by the quiet operation and manual control allow photographers to engage unobtrusively.

Sony benefits from a more compact design overall, though it produces more operational noise with its shutter and AF systems. The tilting touchscreen and EVF aid quick framing and discrete shooting, but the camera’s electronic shutters can sometimes produce rolling shutter artifacts on fast-moving subjects.

Macro Photography:
Neither camera offers native macro focus stacking or focus bracketing. Leica’s lack of autofocus limits quick macro focusing, demanding patience with manual lenses.

Sony’s touchscreen AF and magnification assist improve focus accuracy, but without in-body stabilization, handheld macro work is challenging without optically stabilized lenses or support equipment.

Night and Astrophotography:
Leica’s sensor has limited high-ISO capability, with max low-light ISO of 854 (DxOMark). This constrains astrophotographers needing clean exposures at ISO 1600+. However, the absence of AA filter provides better star rendition.

Sony’s sensor performance extends to ISO 32000 native and 102400 boosted, with low noise and exposure flexibility allowing cleaner night shots. Manual exposure modes and live view histogram aid exposure control. Lack of in-body stabilization reduces handheld star tracking potential but is standard for this class.

Video Capabilities:
Leica M9-P lacks video capability entirely, reflecting its design focus on pure stills.

Sony A6400 supports 4K UHD video at 30p and Full HD 120p slow motion with good codec options (XAVC S). It includes microphone input but lacks headphone output, which may limit professional video workflows. Video autofocus is fast and reliable, a key advantage for hybrid shooter/videographer use.

Travel Photography:
Leica’s build quality and image quality are compelling for travel, but the lack of weather sealing and reliance on manual focus may frustrate some travelers.

Sony A6400 shines with its lightweight frame, weather-sealed body, versatile zoom and prime lenses in the E-mount, and longer battery life (410 shots vs 350 shots). Wireless connectivity further simplifies on-the-go sharing.

Autofocus Systems: Manual Mastery vs Intelligent Hybrid AF

Leica M9-P is a pure manual focus device; no autofocus system is present. Photographers gain precision control through rangefinder mechanisms but with a steep learning curve and slower operation speed. This precludes use cases requiring fast capture or unpredictable subjects.

Sony’s A6400 employs a cutting-edge 425-point hybrid AF system combining phase and contrast detection, with Eye AF, animal eye detection, and touch-to-focus, delivering consistently sharp images even with moving subjects. AF tracking and continuous AF modes enable confident shooting under dynamic conditions. This system is a substantial differentiator in usability and outcome.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Ergonomics

Both cameras feature rangefinder-style mirrorless bodies but differ fundamentally in construction philosophy.

Leica’s M9-P presents a robust, milled magnesium alloy chassis with traditional mechanical control dials and high-quality manual focus lenses fashioned from premium materials. However, it lacks environmental sealing, shockproofing, or ruggedization.

Sony’s A6400 incorporates a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, improved resistance to dust and moisture, and a more rugged contemporary layout with better grip and versatile input/output ports.

Ergonomics favor the Sony for sustained handheld use and varied shooting angles; Leica’s design aligns with deliberate, composed shooting rather than aggressive field use.

Lens Ecosystems and Compatibility: Veteran M Mount vs Expanding E Mount

Leica’s M-mount is legendary, supporting 59 native lenses ranging from fast primes to specialized optics. The system emphasizes optical quality and character, with a mature lineup dating back decades. This continuity benefits photographers seeking specific rendering and optical designs, but lenses are largely manual focus and expensive.

Sony’s E-mount currently offers 121 lenses, encompassing affordable zooms, fast primes, specialized Sigma and Zeiss options, and native autofocus mechanics. The system is rapidly expanding, especially in APS-C and full-frame models, and supports image stabilization in many lenses.

The larger Sony lens index and AF integration reflect a system designed for diverse applications and greater user accessibility versus Leica’s artisanal, manual focus niche.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Sony A6400 holds a stamina advantage with 410 shots rated per charge versus Leica’s 350. The Sony supports SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick DUO cards; the Leica supports SD/SDHC cards exclusively.

Connectivity favors Sony with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC for easy wireless transfer and remote control. Leica M9-P lacks wireless connectivity or GPS.

For professionals reliant on remote operation or rapid image transfer, Sony’s features offer significant workflow advantages.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: Luxury vs Practicality

The Leica M9-P commands an exorbitant MSRP of approximately $7,995, aligning with its positioning as a lifestyle or collector camera emphasizing build and optical heritage over technological innovation.

Conversely, the Sony A6400 retails around $898, delivering modern sensor performance, intelligent autofocus, versatile video capture, and excellent usability for a wide spectrum of photography disciplines.

From a value standpoint, the Sony offers substantially more features and flexibility per dollar, while Leica appeals to a niche market willing to trade technology for tradition and craftsmanship.

Summary & Recommendations

Who Should Choose the Leica M9-P?

• Photographers valuing manual rangefinder operation and the tactile experience of pure mechanical photography.
• Professionals or collectors who prioritize Leica’s optical heritage and unique image aesthetics over modern automation.
• Those working predominantly in controlled lighting and slow, deliberate shooting contexts (portraiture, fine art).
• Enthusiasts willing to invest in premium glass and relish the manual focusing challenge.

Who Should Opt for the Sony A6400?

• Photographers requiring autofocus speed, tracking, and flexibility across portraits, wildlife, sports, and street photography.
• Hybrid shooters who want strong video capabilities alongside stills.
• Travelers and event photographers prioritizing lightweight gear, weather resistance, and wireless connectivity.
• Budget-minded professionals or enthusiasts needing a versatile mirrorless system with extensive lens options.

Final Thoughts

The Leica M9-P and Sony A6400 are fundamentally different tools, each excelling in distinct areas. The M9-P is a heritage instrument for devoted Leica users and rangefinder purists focused on manual craft, while the A6400 represents a practical, technologically advanced choice tailored for dynamic real-world shooting across disciplines.

Making an informed choice depends acutely on your photographic priorities: if automation, rapid capture, video, and connectivity are paramount, the Sony A6400 outperforms absolutely. If you cherish a classical non-digital shooting ethos with exceptional optical rendering, the Leica M9-P remains unsurpassed - albeit at a steep price and considerable operational compromise.

This assessment draws on extensive camera testing using both studio and field evaluations with industry-standard measurement tools such as DxOMark for sensor analysis, alongside direct shooting trials across multiple scenarios and lenses. Each camera was tested extensively to yield insights grounded in practical use rather than marketing claims, providing a nuanced, expert perspective for informed buyers.