Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5
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 NEX-5 front Sony Alpha NEX-5 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-NEX-5/Sony-NEX-5-front.jpg)
89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
55
Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 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
- Released September 2009
- Later Model is Leica M9-P
(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
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Leica M9 and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The complete galleries are provided at Leica M9 Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2010 | ![]() | September 2009 | Fresher by 9 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
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 Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-M9-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5-size-comparison.jpg)
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 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-M9-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
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 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Leica-M9-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder
![Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-M9-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-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/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Leica M9 | Sony 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 |