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Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Nikon 1 J2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
60
Overall
48

Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 Key Specs

Leica M9
(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
Nikon 1 J2
(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
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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.

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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.

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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 
ReleasedAugust 2012September 2009Fresher by 35 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Leica M9 and Nikon 1 J2

 M9 1 J2 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeFixed 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

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

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M9
Portrait photography with Nikon 1 J2
69
has manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
48
manual focus
sensor size is nice (1")
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 as a Street photography camera
Nikon 1 J2 as a Street photography camera
65
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
69
sensor size is nice (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than others (238g)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 Sports photography advice
Nikon 1 J2 Sports photography advice
44
resolution is good (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (350 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
48
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
sensor size is nice (1")
supports tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 Travel photography information
Nikon 1 J2 Travel photography information
54
resolution is good (18MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (350 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly display
60
lighter than others (238g)
has built in flash
bad battery pack (230 shots)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 Landscape photography highlights
Nikon 1 J2 Landscape photography highlights
60
has manual focus
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
resolution is good (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (350 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
56
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is nice (1")
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging details
Nikon 1 J2 Vlogging details
9
can't record video
30
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (238 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no mic port
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Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Nikon 1 J2
 Leica M9Nikon 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