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Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PM2 Key Specs

Leica M9
(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
  • Announced September 2009
  • Updated by Leica M9-P
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced May 2013
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PM1
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Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PM2, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Leica and Olympus. The image resolution of the M9 (18MP) and the E-PM2 (16MP) is fairly similar but the M9 (Full frame) and E-PM2 (Four Thirds) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The M9 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the E-PM2 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the M9 grades versus the E-PM2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Olympus E-PM2

 M9 E-PM2 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Leica M9

 E-PM2 M9 
AnnouncedMay 2013September 2009More modern by 45 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M9 and Olympus E-PM2

 M9 E-PM2 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Leica M9 offers physical measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) and the Olympus E-PM2 has proportions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PM2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the M9 versus the E-PM2.

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M9 and E-PM2 is 79 and 89 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reviewing technical specs. The picture here should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the M9 and E-PM2.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The M9 with its larger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Leica M9 will offer you extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The more aged M9 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography info
69
has manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
71
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 Street photography details
Olympus E-PM2 Street photography details
65
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 Sports photography factors
Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography factors
44
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (350 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 Travel photography factors
Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography factors
54
resolution is good (18MP)
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (350 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
66
includes touch to focus
good megapixels (16MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography factors
60
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
resolution is good (18MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5")
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (350 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
74
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging information
Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging information
9
can't shoot video
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
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Leica M9 vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Olympus E-PM2
 Leica M9Olympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Make Leica Olympus
Model type Leica M9 Olympus PEN E-PM2
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-09-09 2013-05-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Highest resolution 5212 x 3472 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 2500 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 35
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 59 107
Crop factor 1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 585 gr (1.29 lb) 269 gr (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 69 72
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 12.2
DXO Low light rating 884 932
Other
Battery life 350 images 360 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $2,750 $448