Leica M9 vs Pentax Q
79 Imaging
62 Features
30 Overall
49


93 Imaging
35 Features
47 Overall
39
Leica M9 vs Pentax Q 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
- Revealed September 2009
- Later Model is Leica M9-P
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
- Released June 2011
- Refreshed by Pentax Q10

Leica M9 vs Pentax Q Overview
In this article, we are contrasting the Leica M9 vs Pentax Q, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and Q (12MP) and the M9 (Full frame) and Q (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizing.

The M9 was revealed 21 months before the Q making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the M9 grades versus the Q with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Leica M9 vs Pentax Q Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Leica M9 and Pentax Q. The full galleries are viewable at Leica M9 Gallery and Pentax Q Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Pentax Q
M9 | Q |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Leica M9
Q | M9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2011 | ![]() | September 2009 | More recent by 21 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Leica M9 and Pentax Q
M9 | Q | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Absent Touch display |
Leica M9 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Leica M9 comes with external measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).
Analyze the Leica M9 vs Pentax Q in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the M9 compared to the Q.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the M9 and Q is 79 and 93 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be hard to see the difference in sensor measurements simply by viewing specifications. The visual underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the M9 and Q.
To sum up, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The M9 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Leica M9 will render extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older M9 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica M9 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 vs Pentax Q Specifications
Leica M9 | Pentax Q | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Leica | Pentax |
Model | Leica M9 | Pentax Q |
Type | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2009-09-09 | 2011-06-23 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 864.0mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 2500 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Leica M | Pentax Q |
Number of lenses | 59 | 8 |
Crop factor | 1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT color LCD | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (rangefinder) | None |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 5.60 m |
Flash settings | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 585 gr (1.29 lbs) | 180 gr (0.40 lbs) |
Dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 69 | 47 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 20.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.7 | 11.1 |
DXO Low light score | 884 | 189 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photographs | 230 photographs |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | D-LI68 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $2,750 | $695 |