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Leica M9 vs Sony A7S

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Sony Alpha A7S front
Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65

Leica M9 vs Sony A7S 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
  • Revealed September 2009
  • Updated by Leica M9-P
Sony A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Successor is Sony A7S II
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Leica M9 vs Sony A7S Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Leica M9 versus Sony A7S, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by brands Leica and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and A7S (12MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The M9 was launched 5 years prior to the A7S and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a short view of how the M9 matches up against the A7S with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Sony A7S

 M9 A7S 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Leica M9

 A7S M9 
AnnouncedApril 2014September 2009More recent by 55 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1230k230kSharper display (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Leica M9 and Sony A7S

 M9 A7S 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Leica M9 vs Sony A7S Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Leica M9 offers outside measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) whilst the Sony A7S has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs).

Compare the Leica M9 versus Sony A7S in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the M9 against the A7S.

Leica M9 vs Sony A7S size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M9 and A7S is 79 and 77 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Sony A7S top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Sony A7S Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to picture the difference in sensor measurements just by looking through specifications. The photograph underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the M9 and A7S.

To sum up, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Leica M9 to provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos way more aggressively. The older M9 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Leica M9 vs Sony A7S sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Sony A7S Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Sony A7S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M9
Portrait photography with Sony A7S
69
has manual focus
megapixel count good (18MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview
68
focusing manually
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 as a Street photography camera
Sony A7S as a Street photography camera
65
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
76
screen tilts
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
lighter than competition (489 grams)
very good high ISO (409,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M9
Sports photography with Sony A7S
44
megapixel count good (18MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (350 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
52
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (360 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7S as a Travel photography camera
54
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
58
lighter than competition (489 grams)
environment proofing
not so great battery power (360 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 Landscape photography advice
Sony A7S Landscape photography advice
60
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (350 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
66
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good high ISO (409,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
not so great battery power (360 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging information
Sony A7S Vlogging information
9
no video shooting
34
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with mic port
lighter than competition (489g)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Leica M9 vs Sony A7S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Sony A7S
 Leica M9Sony Alpha A7S
General Information
Make Leica Sony
Model type Leica M9 Sony Alpha A7S
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-09-09 2014-04-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5212 x 3472 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 2500 409600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Sony E
Total lenses 59 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 1,230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps)
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 585 gr (1.29 lbs) 489 gr (1.08 lbs)
Physical 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 rating 69 87
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 13.2
DXO Low light rating 884 3702
Other
Battery life 350 photos 360 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - 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 media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $2,750 $1,998