Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Leica M9 P — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Leica · Mirrorless · 18 MP · Full Frame
Leica M-E Typ 220
29
WINNER
|
Leica · Mirrorless · 18 MP · Full Frame
Leica M9 P
28
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica M-E Typ 220 and the Leica M9 P are mirrorless rangefinder bodies for manual-focus Leica M-mount photography, framing and focusing through an optical rangefinder viewfinder. The M-E Typ 220 arrived in 2012, one year after the M9 P. Their bodies match exactly in size at 139 x 80 x 37 mm, and the M-E Typ 220 is the lighter of the two at 585 g against 600 g for the M9 P, a difference of 15 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 17, 2012 | January 21, 2011 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 139 x 80 x 37 mm | 139 x 80 x 37 mm |
| Camera weight | 585 g | 600 g |
| Optics | 35/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsPrints and crops get the same pixel count from either camera, because resolution is shared at 18 megapixels on a full frame CCD. Focusing is manual rangefinder work on each, with no autofocus points and no in-body stabilisation. The working difference sits at the base of the ISO scale. The M-E Typ 220 starts at ISO 80 as its standard setting, while the M9 P bases at ISO 160 and reaches ISO 80 only through the extended range. Wide apertures in bright light are therefore simpler at base sensitivity on the M-E. Both share the ISO 2500 ceiling and the 1/4000 s maximum shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18 MP050 | 18 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5212 x 3472 | 5212 x 3472 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
24 x 36 | 23.9 x 35.8 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
2 fps045 | 2 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Leica M | Leica M |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Maestro | Maestro II |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
8030200 | 16030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
25003003280000 | 25003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
25003003280000 | 25003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
444080 | 844080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
00300 | 00300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (rangefinder) | Optical (rangefinder) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoMotion capture rules out both cameras: neither the M-E Typ 220 nor the M9 P records video or built-in timelapse. Street and documentary work with these bodies stays stills-only, so any clip or timelapse requirement points to a different camera entirely. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 17/100 | 17/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth support an external flash, which keeps fill light available for portraits and indoor documentary work. Beyond that, the feature sets are minimal and matched: no built-in flash, no live view, no touch or tilting screen, and no WiFi or Bluetooth. The rear screens differ in designation, with a TFT LCD on the M9 P against an LCD on the M-E Typ 220, but they share the same 2.5 inch size and 230,000 dot resolution. Playback detail is therefore equally modest on each. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 2.5" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe M-E Typ 220 has the stronger battery rating, at 450 shots against 350 for the M9 P. That 100-shot rating advantage matters most on full days of shooting away from a charger. The two take different batteries, a BP-SCL2 in the M-E Typ 220 and a BP-SCL1 in the M9 P, so spare cells must match the body. Storage is a single SD or SDHC card slot on each, with no second slot and no USB charging on either camera. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-SCL2 | BP-SCL1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
450 shots1505000 | 350 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For rangefinder street or travel photography, the Leica M-E Typ 220 is the better choice. Its battery is rated at 450 shots against 350 for the M9 P, and its ISO 80 standard base sensitivity makes wide apertures in bright daylight simpler.
The M9 P remains a sound choice for anyone who already owns BP-SCL1 spares, since it offers the same 18 megapixel resolution, Leica M mount and rangefinder viewfinder. An ND filter covers its ISO 160 base for daylight wide-aperture work.