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Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
79
Imaging
62
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
Portability
54
Imaging
74
Features
84
Overall
78

Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1 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
  • Introduced September 2009
  • New Model is Leica M9-P
Panasonic S1
(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
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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).

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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.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Panasonic S1

 M9 S1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Leica M9

 S1 M9 
AnnouncedFebruary 2019September 2009More recent by 114 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution2100k230kClearer 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

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

Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography highlights
69
you can focus manually
MP count good (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
84
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/320 seconds)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 Street photography info
Panasonic S1 Street photography info
64
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
70
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
includes focus via touch
environment proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
heavier than average in class (1,021 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic S1 Sports photography highlights
43
MP count good (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesn't have liveview
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
bad battery power (350 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
75
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
low battery power (380 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
54
MP count good (18 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (350 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
59
environment proofing
has bluetooth
includes focus via touch
decent megapixels (24MP)
low battery power (380 shots)
heavier than average in class (1,021g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 Landscape photography features
Panasonic S1 Landscape photography features
59
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
MP count good (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
bad battery power (350 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
80
focusing manually
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
low battery power (380 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging advice
Panasonic S1 Vlogging advice
9
can't record video
32
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
heavier than average in class (1,021g)
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Leica M9 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Panasonic S1
 Leica M9Panasonic 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