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Leica M9 vs Sony FX3

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Sony FX3 front
Portability
62
Imaging
65
Features
92
Overall
75

Leica M9 vs Sony FX3 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
  • Introduced September 2009
  • Later Model is Leica M9-P
Sony FX3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Push to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 716g - 130 x 78 x 85mm
  • Revealed February 2021
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Leica M9 vs Sony FX3 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Leica M9 vs Sony FX3, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and FX3 (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The M9 was announced 12 years earlier than the FX3 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summation of how the M9 matches up versus the FX3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Sony FX3

 M9 FX3 

Reasons to pick Sony FX3 over the Leica M9

 FX3 M9 
RevealedFebruary 2021September 2009More modern by 139 months
Display typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3.00"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1440k230kSharper display (+1210k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M9 and Sony FX3

 M9 FX3 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Leica M9 vs Sony FX3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica M9 has external dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) while the Sony FX3 has measurements of 130mm x 78mm x 85mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 716 grams (1.58 lbs).

Analyze the Leica M9 vs Sony FX3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the M9 versus the FX3.

Leica M9 vs Sony FX3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M9 and FX3 is 79 and 62 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Sony FX3 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Sony FX3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to picture the gap in sensor sizes only by going through specifications. The picture here might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M9 and FX3.

Plainly, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You should anticipate the Leica M9 to produce more detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images way more aggressively. The more aged M9 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica M9 vs Sony FX3 sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Sony FX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Sony FX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 Portrait photography details
Sony FX3 Portrait photography details
69
manual focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
71
has manual focus
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 Street photography features
Sony FX3 Street photography features
65
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
76
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
supports touch to focus
weather sealing
above average high ISO (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 Sports photography details
Sony FX3 Sports photography details
44
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (350 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
good battery (600 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Leica M9 as a Travel photography camera
Sony FX3 as a Travel photography camera
54
megapixel count good (18MP)
no Timelapse function
terrible battery life (350 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
good battery (600 CIPA)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
supports touch to focus
screen is selfie friendly
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 Landscape photography highlights
Sony FX3 Landscape photography highlights
60
manual focus
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
megapixel count good (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (350 per charge)
no Timelapse function
77
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3.00 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (102,400)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
good battery (600 per charge)
two card slots
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging information
Sony FX3 Vlogging information
9
can't record video
77
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic socket
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Leica M9 vs Sony FX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Sony FX3
 Leica M9Sony FX3
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model type Leica M9 Sony FX3
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-09-09 2021-02-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5212 x 3472 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 2500 102400
Max boosted ISO - 409600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Sony E
Available lenses 59 187
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully articulated
Display diagonal 2.5" 3.00"
Display resolution 230k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-1, H.264, H.265
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 585 grams (1.29 pounds) 716 grams (1.58 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 130 x 78 x 85mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 69 85
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 24.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 13.4
DXO Low light rating 884 3900
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 600 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Card slots Single 2
Retail pricing $2,750 $3,900