Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7
79 Imaging
62 Features
30 Overall
49


62 Imaging
78 Features
89 Overall
82
Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7 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
- Revealed September 2009
- New Model is Leica M9-P
(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

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).

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.

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Leica M9 and Nikon Z7. The whole galleries are available at Leica M9 Gallery and Nikon Z7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Nikon Z7
M9 | Z7 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon Z7 over the Leica M9
Z7 | M9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2018 | ![]() | September 2009 | More modern by 109 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.7") |
Screen resolution | 2100k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z7 Specifications
Leica M9 | Nikon 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 |