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Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7

Portability
79
Imaging
62
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Nikon Z7 front
Portability
62
Imaging
78
Features
89
Overall
82

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7 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
  • Revealed September 2009
  • New Model is Leica M9-P
Nikon Z7
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 68mm
  • Released August 2018
  • Successor is Nikon Z7 II
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Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by competitors Leica and Nikon. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and Z7 (46MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The M9 was introduced 10 years earlier than the Z7 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon Z7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise view of how the M9 matches up against the Z7 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Nikon Z7

 M9 Z7 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z7 over the Leica M9

 Z7 M9 
ReleasedAugust 2018September 2009More modern by 109 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution2100k230kCrisper screen (+1870k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M9 and Nikon Z7

 M9 Z7 
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Leica M9 offers exterior dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) while the Nikon Z7 has dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") along with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs).

Check out the Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the M9 vs the Z7.

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the M9 and Z7 is 79 and 62 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizes just by researching a spec sheet. The image underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the M9 and Z7.

As you can see, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Nikon Z7 to provide you with extra detail using its extra 28MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged M9 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7 sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon Z7 as a Portrait photography camera
69
you can focus manually
good resolution (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
86
has manual focus
fantastic MP (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 as a Street photography camera
Nikon Z7 as a Street photography camera
64
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
79
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
offers focus via touch
weather proof
great high ISO (25,600)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Leica M9 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon Z7 as a Sports photography camera
43
good resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no liveview feature
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (350 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery life (330 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 Travel photography information
Nikon Z7 Travel photography information
54
good resolution (18MP)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery (350 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
67
weather proof
supports bluetooth
offers focus via touch
fantastic MP (46 megapixels)
low battery life (330 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 Landscape photography features
Nikon Z7 Landscape photography features
59
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
good resolution (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (350 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
82
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
low battery life (330 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging highlights
Nikon Z7 Vlogging highlights
9
can't record video
36
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Nikon Z7
 Leica M9Nikon Z7
General Information
Make Leica Nikon
Model Leica M9 Nikon Z7
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-09-09 2018-08-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Expeed 6
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 46MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5212 x 3472 8256 x 5504
Highest native ISO 2500 25600
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO - 32
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 493
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica M Nikon Z
Number of lenses 59 15
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.5 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 2,100k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,690k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.8x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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 synchronize 1/180s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 585 grams (1.29 pounds) 675 grams (1.49 pounds)
Physical 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 score 69 99
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 26.3
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 14.6
DXO Low light score 884 2668
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 330 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card XQD card
Card slots One One
Launch price $2,750 $2,797