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Leica M9 vs Sigma fp L

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Sigma fp L front
Portability
83
Imaging
82
Features
80
Overall
81

Leica M9 vs Sigma fp L 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
  • Announced September 2009
  • New Model is Leica M9-P
Sigma fp L
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Increase to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 427g - 113 x 70 x 45mm
  • Launched March 2021
  • Older Model is Sigma fp
Photography Glossary

Leica M9 vs Sigma fp L Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Leica M9 versus Sigma fp L, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Sigma. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and fp L (61MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The M9 was introduced 12 years before the fp L and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the M9 matches up versus the fp L in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Sigma fp L

 M9 fp L 

Reasons to pick Sigma fp L over the Leica M9

 fp L M9 
LaunchedMarch 2021September 2009Fresher by 140 months
Screen sizing3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution2100k230kSharper screen (+1870k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M9 and Sigma fp L

 M9 fp L 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Leica M9 vs Sigma fp L Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Leica M9 comes with exterior dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) while the Sigma fp L has sizing of 113mm x 70mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs).

Check out the Leica M9 versus Sigma fp L in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the M9 compared to the fp L.

Leica M9 vs Sigma fp L size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M9 and fp L is 79 and 83 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Sigma fp L top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Sigma fp L Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing only by researching a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M9 and fp L.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Sigma fp L to result in extra detail using its extra 43MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The older M9 will be behind in sensor tech.

Leica M9 vs Sigma fp L sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Sigma fp L Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Sigma fp L Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 Portrait photography info
Sigma fp L Portrait photography info
69
you can focus manually
MP count good (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no liveview
89
has manual focus
great megapixels (61MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 Street photography info
Sigma fp L Street photography info
65
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
78
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
offers touch focus
environment proof
very good high ISO (25,600)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma fp L as a Sports photography camera
44
MP count good (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
not so great battery (350 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
great megapixels (61 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (240 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 Travel photography advice
Sigma fp L Travel photography advice
54
MP count good (18MP)
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery (350 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
73
environment proof
offers touch focus
great megapixels (61 megapixels)
terrible battery power (240 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma fp L as a Landscape photography camera
60
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
saves RAW files
small screen (2.5")
no liveview
no image stabilization
not so great battery (350 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
great megapixels (61 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (240 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging details
Sigma fp L Vlogging details
9
can't record video
38
touchscreen enabled
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Leica M9 vs Sigma fp L Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Sigma fp L
 Leica M9Sigma fp L
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sigma
Model type Leica M9 Sigma fp L
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2009-09-09 2021-03-25
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 61 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5212 x 3472 9520 x 6328
Max native ISO 2500 25600
Max boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Min boosted ISO - 6
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 49
Lens
Lens support Leica M Leica L
Number of lenses 59 40
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 2,100k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.83x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (USB Power Delivery supported)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 585 gr (1.29 lb) 427 gr (0.94 lb)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 113 x 70 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8")
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 shots 240 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BP-51
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $2,750 $2,499