Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2
79 Imaging
63 Features
30 Overall
49
![Leica M9 front Leica M9 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Leica-M9/Leica-M9-front.jpg)
![Nikon 1 J2 front Nikon 1 J2 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Nikon-1-J2.jpg)
91 Imaging
40 Features
60 Overall
48
Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - Full frame Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 2500
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 585g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
- Announced September 2009
- Updated by Leica M9-P
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 238g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
- Released August 2012
- Replaced the Nikon 1 J1
- New Model is Nikon 1 J3
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 Overview
In this write-up, we are looking at the Leica M9 and Nikon 1 J2, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Nikon. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and 1 J2 (10MP) and the M9 (Full frame) and 1 J2 (1") enjoy different sensor measurements.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
The M9 was brought out 3 years before the 1 J2 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short summary of how the M9 matches up vs the 1 J2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Leica M9 & Nikon 1 J2. The entire galleries are available at Leica M9 Gallery & Nikon 1 J2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Nikon 1 J2
M9 | 1 J2 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J2 over the Leica M9
1 J2 | M9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2012 | ![]() | September 2009 | Fresher by 35 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Leica M9 and Nikon 1 J2
M9 | 1 J2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Leica M9 offers outer measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) and the Nikon 1 J2 has specifications of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs).
Check the Leica M9 and Nikon 1 J2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the M9 and the 1 J2.
![Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 size comparison Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-M9-vs-Nikon-1-J2-size-comparison.jpg)
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M9 and 1 J2 is 79 and 91 respectively.
![Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 top view buttons comparison Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-M9-vs-Nikon-1-J2-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing only by reviewing specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the M9 and 1 J2.
All in all, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The M9 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Leica M9 will deliver more detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older M9 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.
![Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 sensor size comparison Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Leica-M9-vs-Nikon-1-J2-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 Screen and ViewFinder
![Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-M9-vs-Nikon-1-J2-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 Specifications
Leica M9 | Nikon 1 J2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Leica | Nikon |
Model | Leica M9 | Nikon 1 J2 |
Type | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2009-09-09 | 2012-08-09 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Expeed 3 |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | 1" |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 116.2mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 10MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 3872 x 2592 |
Maximum native ISO | 2500 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 135 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Leica M | Nikon 1 |
Total lenses | 59 | 13 |
Crop factor | 1 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT color LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (rangefinder) | None |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Max silent shutter speed | - | 1/16000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 5.00 m |
Flash options | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/180s | 1/60s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 585 gr (1.29 pounds) | 238 gr (0.52 pounds) |
Dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 69 | 54 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 21.3 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.7 | 10.8 |
DXO Low light score | 884 | 363 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photos | 230 photos |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | EN-EL20 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $2,750 | $550 |