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Leica M9 vs Samsung NX mini

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Samsung NX mini front
Portability
93
Imaging
52
Features
68
Overall
58

Leica M9 vs Samsung NX mini 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
  • Replacement is Leica M9-P
Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Introduced March 2014
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Leica M9 vs Samsung NX mini Overview

Here is a extended overview of the Leica M9 versus Samsung NX mini, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the M9 (18MP) and the NX mini (20.5MP) is pretty comparable but the M9 (Full frame) and NX mini (1") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The M9 was launched 5 years before the NX mini and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the M9 scores vs the NX mini when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Samsung NX mini

 M9 NX mini 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Leica M9

 NX mini M9 
IntroducedMarch 2014September 2009Fresher by 55 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M9 and Samsung NX mini

 M9 NX mini 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Leica M9 vs Samsung NX mini Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you should take into account its weight and size. The Leica M9 enjoys exterior measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) and the Samsung NX mini has specifications of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs).

Look at the Leica M9 versus Samsung NX mini in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the M9 versus the NX mini.

Leica M9 vs Samsung NX mini size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the M9 and NX mini is 79 and 93 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Samsung NX mini top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Samsung NX mini Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the M9 and NX mini.

As you can see, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The M9 because of its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Samsung NX mini will provide more detail utilizing its extra 2.5 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The older M9 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica M9 vs Samsung NX mini sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Samsung NX mini Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Samsung NX mini Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 Portrait photography information
Samsung NX mini Portrait photography information
69
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
71
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (20.5MP)
nice sensor size (1")
features face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 Street photography details
Samsung NX mini Street photography details
65
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
81
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
lighter than average in class (196g)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 Sports photography information
Samsung NX mini Sports photography information
44
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (350 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
54
maximum shutter speed is high (1/16,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (20.5 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
better than average battery (650 per charge)
slow frames per second (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 Travel photography factors
Samsung NX mini Travel photography factors
54
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery (350 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
76
better than average battery (650 shots)
lighter than average in class (196g)
boasts touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (20.5 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 Landscape photography features
Samsung NX mini Landscape photography features
60
focusing manually
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (350 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
68
focusing manually
swap lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (20.5 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (650 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging features
Samsung NX mini Vlogging features
9
can't record video
38
touch screen
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic jack
lighter than average in class (196g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
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Leica M9 vs Samsung NX mini Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Samsung NX mini
 Leica M9Samsung NX mini
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Samsung
Model type Leica M9 Samsung NX mini
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-09-09 2014-03-19
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 20.5 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5212 x 3472 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 2500 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 160
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 21
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Samsung NX-M
Amount of lenses 59 2
Focal length multiplier 1 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT color LCD TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt)
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/16000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (all 30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 585 grams (1.29 lb) 196 grams (0.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 69 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 884 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 650 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - B740
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2-30 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $2,750 $530