Leica M9 vs Samsung NX300M
79 Imaging
62 Features
30 Overall
49


86 Imaging
62 Features
73 Overall
66
Leica M9 vs Samsung NX300M 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
- Released September 2009
- Updated by Leica M9-P
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 331g - 122 x 64 x 41mm
- Announced January 2013

Leica M9 vs Samsung NX300M Overview
Its time to take a more detailed look at the Leica M9 vs Samsung NX300M, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Leica and Samsung. The image resolution of the M9 (18MP) and the NX300M (20MP) is pretty close but the M9 (Full frame) and NX300M (APS-C) use different sensor sizes.

The M9 was announced 4 years before the NX300M which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the M9 scores against the NX300M when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Leica M9 vs Samsung NX300M Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Leica M9 and Samsung NX300M. The whole galleries are available at Leica M9 Gallery and Samsung NX300M Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Samsung NX300M
M9 | NX300M |
---|
Reasons to pick Samsung NX300M over the Leica M9
NX300M | M9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2013 | ![]() | September 2009 | More modern by 40 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimension | 3.3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.8") |
Screen resolution | 768k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+538k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Leica M9 and Samsung NX300M
M9 | NX300M | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Leica M9 vs Samsung NX300M Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Leica M9 features exterior dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) and the Samsung NX300M has dimensions of 122mm x 64mm x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") with a weight of 331 grams (0.73 lbs).
Contrast the Leica M9 vs Samsung NX300M in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the M9 and the NX300M.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the M9 and NX300M is 79 and 86 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Samsung NX300M Sensor Comparison
Often, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes only by researching a spec sheet. The picture below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the M9 and NX300M.
Clearly, both of those cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The M9 using its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Samsung NX300M will render greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged M9 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Leica M9 vs Samsung NX300M Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 vs Samsung NX300M Specifications
Leica M9 | Samsung NX300M | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Leica | Samsung |
Model | Leica M9 | Samsung NX300M |
Category | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2009-09-09 | 2013-01-03 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | DRIMe IV |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 864.0mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 5472 x 3648 |
Max native ISO | 2500 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 247 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Leica M | Samsung NX |
Amount of lenses | 59 | 32 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 2.5" | 3.3" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 768 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | TFT color LCD | Active Matrix OLED screen |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (rangefinder) | None |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0 frames/s | 9.0 frames/s |
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 settings | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/180s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 585 grams (1.29 lbs) | 331 grams (0.73 lbs) |
Dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 122 x 64 x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 69 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.7 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 884 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photographs | 330 photographs |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | BP1130 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $2,750 | $699 |