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Leica M9 vs Sony A7R II

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R II front
Portability
68
Imaging
76
Features
84
Overall
79

Leica M9 vs Sony A7R II 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
  • Launched September 2009
  • Newer Model is Leica M9-P
Sony A7R II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 625g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Launched June 2015
  • Superseded the Sony A7R
  • Newer Model is Sony A7R III
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Leica M9 vs Sony A7R II Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Leica M9 vs Sony A7R II, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Leica and Sony. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and A7R II (42MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (Full frame).

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The M9 was unveiled 6 years before the A7R II and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7R II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a brief overview of how the M9 matches up against the A7R II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Sony A7R II

 M9 A7R II 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R II over the Leica M9

 A7R II M9 
LaunchedJune 2015September 2009Fresher by 70 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1229k230kSharper screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Leica M9 and Sony A7R II

 M9 A7R II 
Manual focus More precise focus
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Leica M9 vs Sony A7R II Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Leica M9 provides 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) and the Sony A7R II has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") along with a weight of 625 grams (1.38 lbs).

See the Leica M9 vs Sony A7R II in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the M9 and the A7R II.

Leica M9 vs Sony A7R II size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M9 and A7R II is 79 and 68 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Sony A7R II top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Sony A7R II Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing only by reviewing specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M9 and A7R II.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Sony A7R II to deliver more detail having an extra 24MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older M9 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica M9 vs Sony A7R II sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Sony A7R II Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Sony A7R II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 Portrait photography factors
Sony A7R II Portrait photography factors
69
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
85
manual focus
sensor resolution is fantastic (42MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 as a Street photography camera
Sony A7R II as a Street photography camera
65
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
81
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 Sports photography advice
Sony A7R II Sports photography advice
44
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview feature
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (350 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (42MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 Travel photography advice
Sony A7R II Travel photography advice
54
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery (350 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
62
environment proofing
sensor resolution is fantastic (42 megapixels)
not so great battery (290 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7R II as a Landscape photography camera
60
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no low pass filter
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5")
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (350 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
82
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (42 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
not so great battery (290 per charge)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging advice
Sony A7R II Vlogging advice
9
no video
37
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Leica M9 vs Sony A7R II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Sony A7R II
 Leica M9Sony Alpha A7R II
General Information
Make Leica Sony
Model Leica M9 Sony Alpha A7R II
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2009-09-09 2015-06-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-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 42MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5212 x 3472 7974 x 5316
Highest native ISO 2500 25600
Highest boosted ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 399
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica M Sony E
Number of lenses 59 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 5.0 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 no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
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 585g (1.29 lb) 625g (1.38 lb)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 69 98
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 13.9
DXO Low light score 884 3434
Other
Battery life 350 photos 290 photos
Form 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 recording With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $2,750 $2,913