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Leica M9 vs Pentax Q

Portability
79
Imaging
62
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Leica M9 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Revealed September 2009
  • Later Model is Leica M9-P
Pentax Q
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Pentax Q

 M9 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Leica M9

 Q M9 
ReleasedJune 2011September 2009More recent by 21 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Leica M9 and Pentax Q

 M9 Q 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed 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).

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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.

Leica M9 vs Pentax Q size comparison

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

Leica M9 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M9
Portrait photography with Pentax Q
69
you can focus manually
good resolution (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
45
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
64
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than average in class (180g)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 Sports photography details
Pentax Q Sports photography details
43
good resolution (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
bad battery (350 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 shots)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M9
Travel photography with Pentax Q
54
good resolution (18MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery (350 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
57
lighter than average in class (180 grams)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
59
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5")
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
bad battery (350 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
51
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (180 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
missing external mic support
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Leica M9 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Pentax Q
 Leica M9Pentax 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