Leica M9 vs Sony A7R
79 Imaging
62 Features
30 Overall
49


78 Imaging
73 Features
76 Overall
74
Leica M9 vs Sony A7R 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
- Launched September 2009
- Newer Model is Leica M9-P
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
- Released February 2014
- Successor is Sony A7R II

Leica M9 vs Sony A7R Overview
In this article, we are looking at the Leica M9 versus Sony A7R, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by companies Leica and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and A7R (36MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (Full frame).

The M9 was revealed 5 years earlier than the A7R which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the M9 matches up versus the A7R when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Leica M9 vs Sony A7R Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Leica M9 & Sony Alpha A7R. The full galleries are viewable at Leica M9 Gallery & Sony A7R Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Sony A7R
M9 | A7R |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Leica M9
A7R | M9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2014 | ![]() | September 2009 | Newer by 53 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+1000k dot) |
Common features in the Leica M9 and Sony A7R
M9 | A7R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Leica M9 vs Sony A7R Physical Comparison
For those who are going to travel with your camera, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Leica M9 enjoys outside 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 Sony A7R has sizing of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") and a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs).
Look at the Leica M9 versus Sony A7R in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the M9 compared to the A7R.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the M9 and A7R is 79 and 78 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Sony A7R Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor dimensions merely by viewing a spec sheet. The pic here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the M9 and A7R.
Clearly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Sony A7R to result in more detail because of its extra 18 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged M9 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica M9 vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 vs Sony A7R Specifications
Leica M9 | Sony Alpha A7R | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Leica | Sony |
Model | Leica M9 | Sony Alpha A7R |
Type | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Launched | 2009-09-09 | 2014-02-13 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 36 x 24mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 864.0mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 36MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 7360 x 4912 |
Highest native ISO | 2500 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Leica M | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 59 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 1,230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | TFT color LCD | Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 585 gr (1.29 lbs) | 465 gr (1.03 lbs) |
Dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 69 | 95 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 25.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.7 | 14.1 |
DXO Low light score | 884 | 2746 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 pictures | 340 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) |
Time lapse shooting | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $2,750 | $1,898 |