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Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3

Portability
79
Imaging
62
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Nikon 1 J3 front
Portability
92
Imaging
44
Features
63
Overall
51

Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3 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
  • Released September 2009
  • Replacement is Leica M9-P
Nikon 1 J3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 201g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Revealed November 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon 1 J2
  • Successor is Nikon 1 J4
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Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Nikon. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and 1 J3 (14MP) and the M9 (Full frame) and 1 J3 (1") provide different sensor size.

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The M9 was introduced 5 years prior to the 1 J3 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise overview of how the M9 matches up vs the 1 J3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Nikon 1 J3

 M9 1 J3 

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Leica M9

 1 J3 M9 
RevealedNovember 2013September 2009More modern by 51 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Leica M9 and Nikon 1 J3

 M9 1 J3 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Leica M9 enjoys 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) whilst the Nikon 1 J3 has proportions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3 in the new 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 choose at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the M9 versus the 1 J3.

Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the M9 and 1 J3 is 79 and 92 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes simply by reviewing technical specs. The image below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the M9 and 1 J3.

As you can tell, each of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The M9 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh easier and the Leica M9 will offer you extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged M9 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3 sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon 1 J3 as a Portrait photography camera
69
focusing manually
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
58
you can focus manually
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica M9
Street photography with Nikon 1 J3
64
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
70
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition (201 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 Sports photography details
Nikon 1 J3 Sports photography details
43
good megapixels (18MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview feature
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (350 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
57
silent mode (1/16,000s)
MP count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (220 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 Travel photography advice
Nikon 1 J3 Travel photography advice
54
good megapixels (18MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (350 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly display
69
lighter than competition (201 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
low battery pack (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon 1 J3 as a Landscape photography camera
59
focusing manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
supports RAW files
small screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (350 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
64
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
MP count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (220 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica M9
Vlogging with Nikon 1 J3
9
no video recording
30
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (201 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone support
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Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Nikon 1 J3
 Leica M9Nikon 1 J3
General Information
Brand Name Leica Nikon
Model type Leica M9 Nikon 1 J3
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-09-09 2013-11-30
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5212 x 3472 4608 x 3072
Maximum native ISO 2500 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 160
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 135
Cross type focus points - 41
Lens
Lens support Leica M Nikon 1
Amount of lenses 59 13
Crop factor 1 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 15.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/60 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 585 grams (1.29 pounds) 201 grams (0.44 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 69 52
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 11.0
DXO Low light rating 884 420
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 220 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL20
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Cost at release $2,750 $170