Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV
79 Imaging
63 Features
30 Overall
49
![Leica M9 front Leica M9 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Leica-M9/Leica-M9-front.jpg)
![Sony Alpha A7 IV front Sony Alpha A7 IV front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-A7-IV/Sony-A7-IV-front.jpg)
61 Imaging
81 Features
92 Overall
85
Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV Key Specs
(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
- Released September 2009
- Refreshed by Leica M9-P
(Full Review)
- 33MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
- Launched October 2021
- Old Model is Sony A7 III
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV Overview
Here, we are evaluating the Leica M9 versus Sony A7 IV, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by companies Leica and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and A7 IV (33MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (Full frame).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
The M9 was unveiled 13 years prior to the A7 IV which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7 IV being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the M9 grades versus the A7 IV in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Leica M9 & Sony Alpha A7 IV. The full galleries are provided at Leica M9 Gallery & Sony A7 IV Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Sony A7 IV
M9 | A7 IV |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A7 IV over the Leica M9
A7 IV | M9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2021 | ![]() | September 2009 | More modern by 147 months |
Display type | Fully articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 1440k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+1210k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Leica M9 and Sony A7 IV
M9 | A7 IV | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus |
Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to carry around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica M9 offers exterior dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) while the Sony A7 IV has dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") and a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs).
Look at the Leica M9 versus Sony A7 IV in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the M9 vs the A7 IV.
![Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV size comparison Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-M9-vs-Sony-Alpha-A7-IV-size-comparison.jpg)
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M9 and A7 IV is 79 and 61 respectively.
![Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV top view buttons comparison Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-M9-vs-Sony-Alpha-A7-IV-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through technical specs. The image here will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the M9 and A7 IV.
As you have seen, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Sony A7 IV to show more detail having an extra 15 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged M9 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.
![Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV sensor size comparison Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Leica-M9-vs-Sony-Alpha-A7-IV-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV Screen and ViewFinder
![Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-M9-vs-Sony-Alpha-A7-IV-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Leica M9 vs Sony A7 IV Specifications
Leica M9 | Sony Alpha A7 IV | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Leica | Sony |
Model | Leica M9 | Sony Alpha A7 IV |
Category | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Released | 2009-09-09 | 2021-10-21 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 35.8 x 23.8mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 852.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 33MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 7008 x 4672 |
Max native ISO | 2500 | 51200 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 204800 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 759 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Leica M | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 59 | 172 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fully articulated |
Screen size | 2.5" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 1,440 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | TFT color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 3,690 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | 0.78x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | no built-in flash |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/200 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 3843840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 600 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 500 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 300 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 250 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 240 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / |
Max video resolution | None | 3840x2160 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | Yes (USB PD supported) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 585g (1.29 pounds) | 699g (1.54 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 photos | 600 photos |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-FZ100 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card | Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots |
Card slots | One | Two |
Cost at release | $2,750 | $2,500 |