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Leica M9 vs YI M1

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
YI M1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
60
Features
66
Overall
62

Leica M9 vs YI M1 Key Specs

Leica M9
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 2500
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 585g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Introduced September 2009
  • Renewed by Leica M9-P
YI M1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 350g - 114 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released September 2016
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Leica M9 vs YI M1 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Leica M9 vs YI M1, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Leica and YI. The resolution of the M9 (18MP) and the M1 (20MP) is relatively similar but the M9 (Full frame) and M1 (Four Thirds) use different sensor measurements.

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The M9 was introduced 8 years before the M1 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a quick summation of how the M9 grades vs the M1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the YI M1

 M9 M1 

Reasons to pick YI M1 over the Leica M9

 M1 M9 
ReleasedSeptember 2016September 2009More modern by 85 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M9 and YI M1

 M9 M1 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Leica M9 vs YI M1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Leica M9 features exterior measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) whilst the YI M1 has sizing of 114mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 350 grams (0.77 lbs).

Look at the Leica M9 vs YI M1 in the new Camera and 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 use during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the M9 against the M1.

Leica M9 vs YI M1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M9 and M1 is 79 and 87 respectively.

Leica M9 vs YI M1 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs YI M1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizes just by reading specifications. The pic underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the M9 and M1.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The M9 having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the YI M1 will deliver greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged M9 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Leica M9 vs YI M1 sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs YI M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 Portrait photography advice
YI M1 Portrait photography advice
69
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
76
focusing manually
decent megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica M9
Street photography with YI M1
65
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
74
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
supports focus via touch
good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 as a Sports photography camera
YI M1 as a Sports photography camera
44
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (350 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
55
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
better than average battery (450 shots)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 as a Travel photography camera
YI M1 as a Travel photography camera
54
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery life (350 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
78
better than average battery (450 per charge)
connects via bluetooth
supports focus via touch
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 as a Landscape photography camera
YI M1 as a Landscape photography camera
60
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (350 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (450 CIPA)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica M9
Vlogging with YI M1
9
can't record video
33
touchscreen capability
has face detection autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic jack
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Leica M9 vs YI M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and YI M1
 Leica M9YI M1
General Information
Brand Leica YI
Model Leica M9 YI M1
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-09-09 2016-09-19
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5212 x 3472 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 2500 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 81
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 59 107
Crop factor 1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Slow
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 75 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC
Maximum video resolution None 4096x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 585 gr (1.29 lb) 350 gr (0.77 lb)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 114 x 64 x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 69 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 884 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 450 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $2,750 $320