Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5T: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Mirrorless Eras

In the rapidly evolving world of mirrorless cameras, comparing two models as architecturally and philosophically divergent as the Leica M9 and Sony NEX-5T reveals not only their individual merits and flaws but also illustrates how photographic technology has transformed between their releases in 2009 and 2013. The Leica M9 represents the pinnacle of rangefinder tradition, combining classic analog sensibilities with one of the earliest full-frame digital sensors, whereas the Sony NEX-5T epitomizes the rise of compact, versatile, and feature-rich mirrorless systems targeted at entry-level and enthusiast circles.

Bringing a wealth of hands-on experience with thousands of cameras tested over the last 15 years, this article meticulously compares these two quintessential models through every critical dimension - from sensor technology to ergonomics, and across a broad swath of photographic genres such as portrait, landscape, wildlife, and video. For readers seeking an authoritative, real-world analysis that balances technical detail with usability, here is a comprehensive guide to these two cameras that might at first seem incomparable but whose direct contrast yields valuable insights for different user needs and budgets.

First Impressions and Ergonomic Feel

Physical Dimensions and Handling

At a glance, the Leica M9 weighs in significantly heavier at 585 grams compared to the ultra-light Sony NEX-5T’s 276 grams, underscoring a fundamental difference in design philosophy. The M9’s body measures 139x80x37mm, reflecting a classic rangefinder silhouette that sits comfortably for extended handheld use, especially with manual focus and mechanical controls. Its heft and solid metal construction contribute to a reassuring tactile experience often cherished by traditionalists.

Conversely, the NEX-5T is designed for portability, sporting a compact 111x59x39mm shell that fits snugly in one hand or a small bag, appealing to travel photographers and casual users requiring system versatility without bulk. Both cameras use a rangefinder-style mirrorless layout, but the NEX-5T emphasizes convenience over the artisanal presence of the M9.

Control Layout and Interface

The Leica M9 sticks to the bare essentials with manual aperture rings on lenses, a shutter speed dial on top, and minimal buttons - ideal for photographers who prefer tactile directness over menu diving. Absence of autofocus and exposure modes like shutter priority or program means learning curve steepens but encourages thoughtful shooting.

Sony’s NEX-5T, meanwhile, packs a dual-dial system, customizable buttons, and a comprehensive menu system, including touchscreen operation, enhancing ease of use for novices and video shooters alike. Despite its miniaturized form, the NEX-5T delivers more versatility in exposure control (shutter priority, aperture priority, manual) and intuitive focus selection (touch-to-focus), bridging user experience and modern expectations adeptly.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison

The Leica M9 boasts a groundbreaking 18MP full-frame (36x24mm) CCD sensor, notable as the world’s first full-frame digital sensor in a rangefinder camera, capturing high-resolution 5212x3472 images with impressive detail and dynamic range for its time. Its lack of an anti-aliasing filter enhances perceived sharpness, but CCD technology inherently limits high-ISO performance and dynamic range compared to CMOS sensors released years later.

In sharp contrast, the Sony NEX-5T uses a 16MP APS-C (23.4x15.6mm) CMOS sensor with a 1.5x crop factor. While smaller in physical size (365.04mm² sensor area vs. M9’s 864mm²), it benefits from modern sensor design, backside illumination, and integrated noise reduction techniques. This yields cleaner images at high ISO (up to 25600) and wider dynamic range, rated as 13.0 EV by DxOMark compared to the M9’s 11.7 EV, making the Sony better suited for challenging lighting and low-light environments.

Color Depth and Noise Performance

With a DxOMark score of 69, the Leica M9’s color depth of 22.5 bits still impresses, delivering rich, nuanced skin tones coveted by portrait photographers, yet the CCD sensor's noise level rises noticeably beyond ISO 800, accentuating grain. The NEX-5T outperforms with an overall score of 78 and a color depth of 23.6 bits, maintaining cleaner files at elevated ISOs - a crucial advantage for wildlife or event shooters reliant on faster shutter speeds.

Real-World Image Comparison

Leica M9 front Leica M9 screen back Sony NEX 5T front Sony NEX 5T screen back

Test images show the Leica M9 excels in natural skin tone rendition and classic “film-like” aesthetic, with delicate falloff in out-of-focus areas forming smooth bokeh - an effect amplified by the Leica M lens lineup renowned for optical excellence. The Sony NEX-5T produces crisp detail with slightly more clinical color accuracy. Its high ISO performance enables sharper captures in dim conditions, albeit with less characterful rendering.

Autofocus and Performance in Action

Autofocus System Capabilities

A marked limitation of the Leica M9 is its complete reliance on manual focus, lacking autofocus, focus points, or any phase detection elements in the body - typical for a rangefinder. This necessitates deliberate focusing techniques and restricts rapid subject acquisition, especially for moving motifs like sports or wildlife.

The NEX-5T compensates robustly with a hybrid autofocus system using both contrast-detection and phase-detection, incorporating 99 focus points. Features like continuous AF, touch focus, face detection, tracking, and selective AF improve lock-on speed and precision dramatically. This makes Sony’s camera much more versatile for action and dynamic shooting.

Shutter Speed and Continuous Shooting

Both cameras share a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000 sec, but the Sony NEX-5T’s burst shooting at 10fps far surpasses the Leica’s 2fps, accommodating fast-paced sports or wildlife environments where frame rate and buffer capacity influence success.

Build Quality and Durability

Despite the M9 lacking environmental sealing or shock-resistance, its rugged metal chassis and understated weather resistance satisfy professional demands if used with care. The Sony NEX-5T features a plastic/polycarbonate body that feels less premium and with no weather sealing, reflecting its budget orientation and lighter use case.

Display and Viewfinder Experience

The Leica M9’s fixed 2.5-inch 230k-dot TFT LCD offers basic image review but no live view or touchscreen; its optical rangefinder viewfinder, though no frame coverage data available, provides a tactile and direct framing method cherished by many analog shooters.

The NEX-5T delivers a larger 3-inch tilting LCD at 922k dots, touchscreen-enabled and self-friendly with a 180° flip up function for selfies and vlogging. While no built-in EVF is present, an optional Sony viewfinder attachment can augment this. The digital interface caters to faster adjustments, focus confirmation, and previewing exposure.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The Leica M9’s proprietary Leica M mount supports a niche but culturally esteemed collection of 59 Leica lenses acclaimed for optical precision and character, though generally at premium price points. Manual focus and aperture control demand dedication but reward with unmatched craftsmanship and image quality.

Sony leverages the E-mount with a vast and growing third-party and Sony native ecosystem boasting over 120 lens options from wide-angle primes to telephoto zooms, including stabilised lenses, compatible adapters, and macro elements - profoundly increasing creative versatility and cost accessibility.

Battery Life and Storage

The Leica M9 achieves a respectable 350 shots per battery, slightly ahead of the NEX-5T’s 330 shots per charge, though the Sony’s lighter consuming electronics and compact battery (NPFW50) allow easy spares and longer active usage with the LCD.

Storage-wise, both rely on a single SD/SDHC card slot, but the NEX-5T expands compatibility to SDXC and Memory Stick formats, facilitating higher capacity and throughput for video.

Advanced Connectivity and Features

The Leica M9, designed in an era preceding Wi-Fi or NFC, has no wireless capabilities or live view, focusing purely on manual mechanical experience.

By contrast, the NEX-5T embraces built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for instant sharing, remote control via smartphones, and firmware updates, aligning with modern user expectations for social media and workflow speed.

Photography Genre Analysis: Which Camera Excels Where?

Portrait Photography

Leica M9’s skin tone rendition, overall tonal layering, and bokeh quality reign supreme for portraitists valuing a naturalistic and artistic look. Its sensor facilitates rich color depth despite lower ISO headroom. The manual focus, however, challenges rapid impromptu shooting.

Sony NEX-5T trades some tonal charm for razor-sharp focus accuracy with face and eye detection, autofocus, and sufficient detail in low light, supporting lifestyle and event portraits with ease.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range becomes critical in landscapes; here, the NEX-5T leads with superior DR (13.0 EV) and cleaner high ISO performance, allowing post-processing latitude in shadows and highlights. Yet the Leica M9’s full-frame sensor yields excellent spatial resolution and detail where light is ample. Weather sealing is absent on both, necessitating caution in inclement conditions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Sony’s fast 10 fps burst rate, expansive AF system with tracking, and wide ISO range position the NEX-5T well for movement-heavy genres. Leica offers none of these, relying on deliberate, slow focusing unsuitable for fast subjects.

Street Photography

The Leica M9’s discreetness, silent leaf shutter options, and compact body make it a favorite for traditional rangefinder street shooting. The NEX-5T is less unobtrusive but still portable and benefits from quick AF and touchscreen control, optimal for spontaneous shooting.

Macro Photography

Neither camera is optimized for macro; Sony’s newer lens options and autofocus assistance provide a more flexible macro experience relative to Leica’s manual approach.

Night and Astro Photography

NEX-5T’s higher maximal ISO and better low-light noise handling allow cleaner night sky and astro imaging, while Leica’s limited ISO ceiling restricts usability under faint illumination.

Video Capabilities

Leica M9 has no video functions, emblematic of its stills-only lineage.

Sony NEX-5T delivers solid 1080p HD video at multiple frame rates (60p/60i/24p), with common codecs (MPEG-4, AVCHD). Although lacking 4K, this suits casual filmmaking and enthusiast videographers. No external mic or headphone jacks limit audio control.

Travel Photography

Sony’s small body, tilting screen, autofocus, and wireless features cater to travel photographers needing versatility and efficiency. Leica M9’s greater weight and manual operation favor purists willing to sacrifice convenience for image quality and tactile experience.

Professional Workflows

Leica’s mechanical precision and file fidelity support high-end professional use, especially where image character and manual control matter. Sony’s files integrate seamlessly into modern workflows with faster shooting speed, versatile file formats, and wireless data transfer.

Pricing and Value Proposition

At $2750, the Leica M9 commands a premium investment reflecting its status, build, and historical significance, demanding a specialized user seeking traditional photographic craftsmanship.

Sony’s NEX-5T at approximately $400 presents exceptional value, delivering modern features, fast autofocus, and solid image quality for cost-conscious buyers or those transitioning into mirrorless photography.

Summary: Who Should Choose Which?

Final Thoughts

The Leica M9 and Sony NEX-5T occupy virtually distinct spheres within the mirrorless universe. Our rigorous side-by-side exploration reveals that the Leica M9, while aging in sensor technology and lacking autofocus, remains an irreplaceable icon for photographers whose priority is legacy craftsmanship, superior full-frame image character, and manual shooting ethos. Contrastingly, the Sony NEX-5T symbolizes the modern mirrorless spirit - affordable, user-friendly, feature-packed, and versatile enough to tackle most photographic disciplines from portraits to video.

Prospective buyers must weigh these critical differences in sensor tech, autofocus, usability, and price, aligning choices with their shooting genres, workflows, and budgetary parameters. For professionals or enthusiasts seeking an immersive rangefinder experience, the Leica M9 is a collectible and serious tool, albeit with limitations in speed and flexibility. Entry-level shooters, vloggers, and those craving a lightweight yet capable system will find the Sony NEX-5T a solid gateway into mirrorless photography with future-proof features.

This detailed evaluation synthesizes firsthand testing, extensive technical analysis, and practical user insights, guiding photographers to an informed decision suited to their creative ambitions.

Appendix: Technical Specifications Recap Comparison

If you wish to explore specific aspects such as lens reviews for these mounts or post-processing workflows, feel free to reach out for deeper custom insights.