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Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 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
  • Released September 2009
  • Later Model is Leica M9-P
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5N
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Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Leica and Sony. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and NEX-5 (14MP) and the M9 (Full frame) and NEX-5 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

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The M9 was launched 9 months before the NEX-5 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the M9 scores versus the NEX-5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Sony NEX-5

 M9 NEX-5 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Leica M9

 NEX-5 M9 
LaunchedJune 2010September 2009Fresher by 9 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Leica M9 and Sony NEX-5

 M9 NEX-5 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Leica M9 comes with exterior measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Analyze the Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the M9 versus the NEX-5.

Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the M9 and NEX-5 is 79 and 89 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing just by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the M9 and NEX-5.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The M9 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Leica M9 will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older M9 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography details
69
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 Street photography information
Sony NEX-5 Street photography information
65
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography information
44
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (350 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
52
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Leica M9 Travel photography features
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography features
54
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
low battery power (350 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
59
megapixel count good (14MP)
missing Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography advice
60
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (350 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
68
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-5 Vlogging information
9
no video recording
28
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing external microphone port
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Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Sony NEX-5
 Leica M9Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model Leica M9 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-09-09 2010-06-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5212 x 3472 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 2500 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Sony E
Number of lenses 59 121
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 585g (1.29 lbs) 287g (0.63 lbs)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 69 69
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 22.2
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 12.2
DXO Low light score 884 796
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 330 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $2,750 $599