Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3
79 Imaging
62 Features
30 Overall
49
92 Imaging
44 Features
63 Overall
51
Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3 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
- Released September 2009
- Replacement is Leica M9-P
(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
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images 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.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe 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 Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Leica M9 and Nikon 1 J3. The whole galleries are provided at Leica M9 Gallery and Nikon 1 J3 Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | November 2013 | September 2009 | More modern by 51 months | |
| Display size | 3" | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") | |
| Display resolution | 921k | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Leica M9 and Nikon 1 J3
| M9 | 1 J3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Dial accurate focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Leica M9 vs Nikon 1 J3 Specifications
| Leica M9 | Nikon 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 |