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Leica M9 vs Nikon Z6

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Nikon Z6 front
Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
88
Overall
80

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z6 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
  • Launched September 2009
  • Updated by Leica M9-P
Nikon Z6
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 68mm
  • Introduced August 2018
  • Refreshed by Nikon Z6 II
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Leica M9 vs Nikon Z6 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Leica M9 versus Nikon Z6, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by competitors Leica and Nikon. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and Z6 (25MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (Full frame).

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The M9 was brought out 10 years prior to the Z6 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon Z6 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the M9 scores versus the Z6 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Nikon Z6

 M9 Z6 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z6 over the Leica M9

 Z6 M9 
IntroducedAugust 2018September 2009Fresher by 109 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution2100k230kClearer screen (+1870k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M9 and Nikon Z6

 M9 Z6 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z6 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Leica M9 has physical dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) while the Nikon Z6 has sizing of 134mm x 101mm x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs).

Look at the Leica M9 versus Nikon Z6 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the M9 against the Z6.

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z6 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M9 and Z6 is 79 and 62 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z6 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z6 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor sizing purely by looking through specifications. The visual below will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M9 and Z6.

Plainly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Nikon Z6 to provide you with extra detail having its extra 7MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older M9 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z6 sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z6 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 Portrait photography info
Nikon Z6 Portrait photography info
69
manual focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
no liveview
85
focusing manually
MP count amazing (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 Street photography features
Nikon Z6 Street photography features
65
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
78
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
offers focus via touch
weather proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 Sports photography highlights
Nikon Z6 Sports photography highlights
44
good MP (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
not so great battery power (350 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count amazing (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
bad battery life (330 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon Z6 as a Travel photography camera
54
good MP (18MP)
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (350 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
66
weather proof
has bluetooth
offers focus via touch
MP count amazing (25MP)
bad battery life (330 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 Landscape photography advice
Nikon Z6 Landscape photography advice
60
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
good MP (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
exports RAW files
small screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
no image stabilization
not so great battery power (350 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
81
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
bad battery life (330 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging details
Nikon Z6 Vlogging details
9
lack of video recording
36
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
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Leica M9 vs Nikon Z6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Nikon Z6
 Leica M9Nikon Z6
General Information
Brand Name Leica Nikon
Model type Leica M9 Nikon Z6
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2009-09-09 2018-08-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed 6
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5212 x 3472 6048 x 4024
Highest native ISO 2500 51200
Highest enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 273
Lens
Lens support Leica M Nikon Z
Available lenses 59 15
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.5 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 2,100 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,690 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.8x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 585g (1.29 lbs) 675g (1.49 lbs)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 134 x 101 x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 69 95
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 25.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 14.3
DXO Low light rating 884 3299
Other
Battery life 350 photos 330 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card XQD card
Storage slots One One
Price at release $2,750 $1,997