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Leica M9 vs Leica Q2

Portability
79
Imaging
62
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Leica Q2 front
Portability
61
Imaging
78
Features
70
Overall
74

Leica M9 vs Leica Q2 Key Specs

Leica M9
(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
Leica Q2
(Full Review)
  • 47MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 50000
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 28mm (F1.7) lens
  • 718g - 130 x 80 x 92mm
  • Introduced March 2019
  • Alternative Name is Type No. 4889
  • Old Model is Leica Q
  • Replacement is Leica Q3
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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).

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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.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Leica Q2

 M9 Q2 

Reasons to pick Leica Q2 over the Leica M9

 Q2 M9 
IntroducedMarch 2019September 2009More modern by 115 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Leica M9 vs Leica Q2 size comparison

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

Leica M9 vs Leica Q2 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Leica Q2 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Leica Q2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M9
Portrait photography with Leica Q2
69
you can focus manually
MP count good (18 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
86
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
high MP (47MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 as a Street photography camera
Leica Q2 as a Street photography camera
64
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
no image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus via touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (50,000)
screen is fixed
heavier than average (718g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 Sports photography details
Leica Q2 Sports photography details
43
MP count good (18MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesn't have liveview
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (350 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
77
quiet shutter (1/40,000 seconds)
high max fps (20.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high MP (47 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
environment proof
better than average battery life (370 per charge)
can't change focal length (28mm)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M9
Travel photography with Leica Q2
54
MP count good (18MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (350 shots)
does not have selfie friendly display
70
better than average battery life (370 per charge)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
includes focus via touch
high MP (47 megapixels)
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
heavier than average (718 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 Landscape photography details
Leica Q2 Landscape photography details
59
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
supports RAW files
small screen (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (350 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
79
focusing manually
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high MP (47 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (50,000)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery life (370 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging info
Leica Q2 Vlogging info
9
can't record video
32
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
missing external mic socket
heavier than average (718 grams)
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Leica M9 vs Leica Q2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Leica Q2
 Leica M9Leica 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