Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PL7
79 Imaging
62 Features
30 Overall
49


86 Imaging
53 Features
81 Overall
64
Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PL7 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
- Released September 2009
- Later Model is Leica M9-P
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
- Announced September 2014
- Older Model is Olympus E-PL6
- Successor is Olympus E-PL8

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PL7 Overview
Lets look much closer at the Leica M9 and Olympus E-PL7, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Leica and Olympus. The resolution of the M9 (18MP) and the E-PL7 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the M9 (Full frame) and E-PL7 (Four Thirds) posses different sensor sizes.

The M9 was brought out 6 years prior to the E-PL7 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the M9 scores against the E-PL7 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PL7 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Leica M9 & Olympus PEN E-PL7. The entire galleries are available at Leica M9 Gallery & Olympus E-PL7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Olympus E-PL7
M9 | E-PL7 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL7 over the Leica M9
E-PL7 | M9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | September 2014 | ![]() | September 2009 | Fresher by 60 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+807k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Leica M9 and Olympus E-PL7
M9 | E-PL7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing |
Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PL7 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Leica M9 provides exterior dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL7 has proportions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs).
Analyze the Leica M9 and Olympus E-PL7 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the M9 against the E-PL7.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the M9 and E-PL7 is 79 and 86 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PL7 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing specifications. The photograph underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the M9 and E-PL7.
Plainly, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The M9 because of its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Leica M9 will provide more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The older M9 will be behind in sensor tech.

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PL7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PL7 Specifications
Leica M9 | Olympus PEN E-PL7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Leica | Olympus |
Model | Leica M9 | Olympus PEN E-PL7 |
Type | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2009-09-09 | 2014-09-01 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | TruePic VII |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 2500 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 81 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Leica M | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 59 | 107 |
Crop factor | 1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 1,037 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | TFT color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0fps | 8.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | no built-in flash |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/180 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | H.264, Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 585 grams (1.29 lbs) | 357 grams (0.79 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 69 | 72 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.7 | 12.4 |
DXO Low light score | 884 | 873 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photographs | 350 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | BLS-50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $2,750 | $499 |