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Leica M9 vs Nikon Z8

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Nikon Z8 front
Portability
55
Imaging
83
Features
83
Overall
83

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z8 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 Z8
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.20" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 910g - 144 x 119 x 83mm
  • Launched May 2023
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Leica M9 vs Nikon Z8 Overview

Below is a thorough analysis of the Leica M9 and Nikon Z8, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Leica and Nikon. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and Z8 (46MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The M9 was released 14 years earlier than the Z8 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon Z8 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the M9 scores versus the Z8 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Nikon Z8

 M9 Z8 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z8 over the Leica M9

 Z8 M9 
LaunchedMay 2023September 2009More recent by 166 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.20"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution2089k230kSharper display (+1859k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M9 and Nikon Z8

 M9 Z8 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z8 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Leica M9 enjoys exterior 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 Z8 has measurements of 144mm x 119mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.7" x 3.3") having a weight of 910 grams (2.01 lbs).

See the Leica M9 and Nikon Z8 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the M9 versus the Z8.

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z8 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the M9 and Z8 is 79 and 55 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z8 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z8 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements purely by looking at technical specs. The graphic here should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the M9 and Z8.

As you can tell, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Nikon Z8 to give you greater detail as a result of its extra 28 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The older M9 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z8 sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z8 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Nikon Z8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 Portrait photography info
Nikon Z8 Portrait photography info
69
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
89
you can focus manually
high MP (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 Street photography advice
Nikon Z8 Street photography advice
65
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
72
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
features focus via touch
weather proof
good high ISO (25,600)
heavier than others in class (910g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 Sports photography information
Nikon Z8 Sports photography information
44
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have liveview
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
81
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (30.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (46MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
max shutter speed is low (1/ seconds)
terrible battery power (330 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M9
Travel photography with Nikon Z8
54
megapixel count decent (18MP)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery (350 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
61
weather proof
supports bluetooth
features focus via touch
high MP (46 megapixels)
terrible battery power (330 shots)
heavier than others in class (910g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 Landscape photography highlights
Nikon Z8 Landscape photography highlights
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
saves RAW files
small screen (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (350 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
84
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3.20 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
terrible battery power (330 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon Z8 as a Vlogging camera
9
lack of video recording
33
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
good video quality (7680 x 4320 resolution)
comes with mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than others in class (910g)
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Leica M9 vs Nikon Z8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Nikon Z8
 Leica M9Nikon Z8
General Information
Company Leica Nikon
Model type Leica M9 Nikon Z8
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2009-09-09 2023-05-10
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD Stacked CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 46 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5212 x 3472 8256 x 5504
Highest native ISO 2500 25600
Highest boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO - 32
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 493
Lens
Lens support Leica M Nikon Z
Total lenses 59 46
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5" 3.20"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 2,089 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.8x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 900 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds -
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 7680 x 4320 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, L
Highest video resolution None 7680x4320
Video format - H.264, H.265
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 585g (1.29 pounds) 910g (2.01 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 144 x 119 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.7" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 69 98
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 26.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 14.2
DXO Low light rating 884 2548
Other
Battery life 350 shots 330 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL15c
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card one CFexpress Type B slot and one UHS-II SD slot
Storage slots One Two
Price at launch $2,750 $3,999