Leica M9 vs Olympus E-M1 III
79 Imaging
62 Features
30 Overall
49


67 Imaging
62 Features
96 Overall
75
Leica M9 vs Olympus E-M1 III Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - Full frame Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 2500
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 585g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
- Released September 2009
- Renewed by Leica M9-P
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 4096 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
- Announced February 2020
- Older Model is Olympus E-M1 II

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-M1 III Overview
Its time to look more in depth at the Leica M9 vs Olympus E-M1 III, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by brands Leica and Olympus. The resolution of the M9 (18MP) and the E-M1 III (20MP) is fairly comparable but the M9 (Full frame) and E-M1 III (Four Thirds) posses totally different sensor size.

The M9 was manufactured 11 years before the E-M1 III and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the M9 grades against the E-M1 III in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-M1 III Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica M9 and Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III. The entire galleries are viewable at Leica M9 Gallery and Olympus E-M1 III Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Olympus E-M1 III
M9 | E-M1 III |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Leica M9
E-M1 III | M9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2020 | ![]() | September 2009 | Fresher by 126 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+807k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Leica M9 and Olympus E-M1 III
M9 | E-M1 III | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing |
Leica M9 vs Olympus E-M1 III Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Leica M9 enjoys exterior measurements 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 Olympus E-M1 III has proportions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).
Examine the Leica M9 vs Olympus E-M1 III in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the M9 vs the E-M1 III.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M9 and E-M1 III is 79 and 67 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-M1 III Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing simply by going through specifications. The photograph underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the M9 and E-M1 III.
To sum up, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The M9 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-M1 III will produce more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images way more aggressively. The older M9 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-M1 III Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-M1 III Specifications
Leica M9 | Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Leica | Olympus |
Model type | Leica M9 | Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Released | 2009-09-09 | 2020-02-11 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | TruePic IX |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 36 x 24mm | 17.4 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 864.0mm² | 226.2mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3 |
Highest resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 5184 x 3888 |
Highest native ISO | 2500 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW photos | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | - | 64 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 121 |
Cross type focus points | - | 121 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Leica M | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 59 | 107 |
Crop factor | 1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display size | 2.5" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230k dot | 1,037k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | TFT color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,360k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | 0.74x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Maximum quiet shutter speed | - | 1/32000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames per second | 60.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/180 secs | 1/250 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
Highest video resolution | None | 4096x2160 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 585 grams (1.29 pounds) | 580 grams (1.28 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 69 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.5 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.7 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 884 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photographs | 420 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | BLH-1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) |
Storage slots | One | 2 |
Cost at launch | $2,750 | $1,800 |