Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1
79 Imaging
62 Features
30 Overall
49


54 Imaging
74 Features
84 Overall
78
Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1 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
- Introduced September 2009
- New Model is Leica M9-P
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Leica L Mount
- 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
- Announced February 2019

Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1 Overview
Its time to take a more detailed look at the Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by competitors Leica and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and S1 (24MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (Full frame).

The M9 was introduced 10 years earlier than the S1 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the M9 matches up against the S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Leica M9 & Panasonic Lumix DC-S1. The whole galleries are provided at Leica M9 Gallery & Panasonic S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Panasonic S1
M9 | S1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Leica M9
S1 | M9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2019 | ![]() | September 2009 | More recent by 114 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display size | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.7") |
Display resolution | 2100k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+1870k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Leica M9 and Panasonic S1
M9 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Leica M9 offers outer measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) and the Panasonic S1 has specifications of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") accompanied by a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs).
Look at the Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the M9 against the S1.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M9 and S1 is 79 and 54 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching specs. The photograph underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the M9 and S1.
All in all, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic S1 to result in extra detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older M9 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications
Leica M9 | Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Leica | Panasonic |
Model | Leica M9 | Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 |
Type | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2009-09-09 | 2019-02-01 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Venus Engine |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 35.6 x 23.8mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 847.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 6000 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 2500 | 51200 |
Max boosted ISO | - | 204800 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Min boosted ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 225 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Leica M | Leica L |
Number of lenses | 59 | 30 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 2.5" | 3.2" |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 2,100k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | TFT color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 5,760k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | 0.78x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4s | 60s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
Highest silent shutter speed | - | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0fps | 9.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/180s | 1/320s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM |
Max video resolution | None | 3840x2160 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 585g (1.29 lbs) | 1021g (2.25 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 69 | 95 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 25.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.7 | 14.5 |
DXO Low light score | 884 | 3333 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 images | 380 images |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card | - |
Card slots | 1 | Dual |
Pricing at launch | $2,750 | $2,498 |