Leica M9 vs Leica Q2
79 Imaging
62 Features
30 Overall
49


61 Imaging
78 Features
70 Overall
74
Leica M9 vs Leica Q2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - Full frame Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 2500
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 585g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
- Revealed September 2009
- Refreshed by Leica M9-P
(Full Review)

Leica M9 vs Leica Q2 Overview
On this page, we will be evaluating the Leica M9 versus Leica Q2, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and they are both manufactured by Leica. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and Q2 (47MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (Full frame).

The M9 was manufactured 10 years prior to the Q2 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Leica Q2 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the M9 matches up versus the Q2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Leica M9 vs Leica Q2 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Leica M9 and Leica Q2. The entire galleries are viewable at Leica M9 Gallery and Leica Q2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Leica Q2
M9 | Q2 |
---|
Reasons to pick Leica Q2 over the Leica M9
Q2 | M9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | March 2019 | ![]() | September 2009 | More modern by 115 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+810k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Leica M9 and Leica Q2
M9 | Q2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Leica M9 vs Leica Q2 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica M9 offers outer dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) and the Leica Q2 has measurements of 130mm x 80mm x 92mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.6") and a weight of 718 grams (1.58 lbs).
Analyze the Leica M9 versus Leica Q2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the M9 compared to the Q2.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the M9 and Q2 is 79 and 61 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Leica Q2 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes only by checking a spec sheet. The image here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the M9 and Q2.
Clearly, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Leica Q2 to resolve greater detail due to its extra 29MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged M9 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica M9 vs Leica Q2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 vs Leica Q2 Specifications
Leica M9 | Leica Q2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Leica | Leica |
Model type | Leica M9 | Leica Q2 |
Also called | - | Type No. 4889 |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Large Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2009-09-09 | 2019-03-07 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 36 x 24mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 864.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 47 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 8368 x 5584 |
Maximum native ISO | 2500 | 50000 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 50 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 49 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Leica M | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 28mm (1x) |
Maximal aperture | - | f/1.7 |
Macro focusing range | - | 17cm |
Number of lenses | 59 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.5" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 1,040k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 3,680k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | 0.76x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | - | 1/40000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames/s | 20.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | 1/500 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 4K/30/24p, 1080/120/60/30/24p |
Maximum video resolution | None | 3840x2160 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 585 gr (1.29 pounds) | 718 gr (1.58 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 130 x 80 x 92mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 69 | 96 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.5 | 26.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.7 | 13.5 |
DXO Low light rating | 884 | 2491 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photos | 370 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | BP-SCL4 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 secs) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $2,750 | $4,985 |