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Leica M9 vs Sony RX1R II

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II front
Portability
78
Imaging
76
Features
65
Overall
71

Leica M9 vs Sony RX1R II 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
  • Successor is Leica M9-P
Sony RX1R II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 507g - 113 x 65 x 72mm
  • Announced October 2015
  • Superseded the Sony RX1R
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Leica M9 vs Sony RX1R II Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Leica M9 vs Sony RX1R II, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Leica and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and RX1R II (42MP) but they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The M9 was unveiled 7 years prior to the RX1R II and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX1R II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the M9 scores vs the RX1R II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Sony RX1R II

 M9 RX1R II 

Reasons to pick Sony RX1R II over the Leica M9

 RX1R II M9 
AnnouncedOctober 2015September 2009Fresher by 74 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1229k230kClearer display (+999k dot)

Common features in the Leica M9 and Sony RX1R II

 M9 RX1R II 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Leica M9 vs Sony RX1R II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica M9 enjoys outer dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) whilst the Sony RX1R II has dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 72mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") and a weight of 507 grams (1.12 lbs).

Compare the Leica M9 vs Sony RX1R II in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the M9 vs the RX1R II.

Leica M9 vs Sony RX1R II size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M9 and RX1R II is 79 and 78 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Sony RX1R II top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Sony RX1R II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M9 and RX1R II.

Clearly, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Sony RX1R II to show greater detail having an extra 24MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The older M9 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Leica M9 vs Sony RX1R II sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Sony RX1R II Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Sony RX1R II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX1R II as a Portrait photography camera
69
manual focus
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
85
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/4,000 seconds)
amazing MP (42MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX1R II as a Street photography camera
65
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
73
screen tilts up and down
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
great ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (507g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M9
Sports photography with Sony RX1R II
44
resolution is good (18MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview feature
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (350 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
63
amazing MP (42 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
supports phase detect autofocus
fixed focal length (35mm)
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 Travel photography factors
Sony RX1R II Travel photography factors
54
resolution is good (18MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery (350 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
59
amazing MP (42 megapixels)
great max aperture (f2.0)
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery life (220 CIPA)
more heavy than competition in class (507g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 Landscape photography info
Sony RX1R II Landscape photography info
60
manual focus
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.5")
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
68
focusing manually
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
amazing MP (42 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no low pass filter
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
terrible battery life (220 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging highlights
Sony RX1R II Vlogging highlights
9
no video recording
34
great max aperture (f2.0)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone support
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (507g)
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Leica M9 vs Sony RX1R II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Sony RX1R II
 Leica M9Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II
General Information
Make Leica Sony
Model type Leica M9 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II
Category Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Released 2009-09-09 2015-10-13
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 18 megapixel 42 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5212 x 3472 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 2500 25600
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 80 50
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Leica M fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.0
Macro focusing distance - 14cm
Available lenses 59 -
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Off, auto, fill flash, slow sync, rear sync, wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/4000s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (120p, 30p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 585g (1.29 pounds) 507g (1.12 pounds)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 113 x 65 x 72mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 69 97
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 25.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 13.9
DXO Low light rating 884 3204
Other
Battery life 350 images 220 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2,5, 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $2,750 $3,300