Leica M9 vs Leica M9 P — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Leica · Mirrorless · 18 MP · Full Frame
Leica M9
28
SCORE
|
Leica · Mirrorless · 18 MP · Full Frame
Leica M9 P
28
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica M9 and Leica M9-P are mirrorless rangefinder cameras built around the Leica M mount and a full-frame CCD sensor, framed through an optical rangefinder viewfinder. Leica released the M9 in 2009 and the M9-P in 2011, two years later. The two bodies measure an identical 139 x 80 x 37 mm. The M9 weighs 585 g against 600 g for the M9-P, a 15 g difference in the M9's favour on the scale. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 9, 2009 | 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 | 34/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsA shared 18-megapixel resolution on a full-frame CCD sensor means both cameras produce files with the same pixel count, whether for cropping a street scene or making large prints. Both process those files with the same Maestro II processor. Neither body has autofocus, so focusing is manual through the optical rangefinder on both. Standard ISO runs from 160 to 2500 on each, with a pull setting to 80. Both share a 1/4000 second maximum shutter and 2 fps shooting, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
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 II | 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. |
16030200 | 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. |
8030200 | 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 ComparisonVideoNeither the Leica M9 nor the M9-P records video, so a photographer who wants motion clips alongside stills must look to a separate device. Built-in timelapse is absent from both as well, so interval sequences likewise call for other equipment. | ||
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 ComparisonFeaturesImage review happens on the same 2.5-inch TFT LCD with 230,000 dots on each camera, a fixed screen with no touch input and no live view. Both accept an external flash while omitting a built-in unit. Neither body has GPS, weather sealing, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so images leave the camera by memory card rather than over a wireless connection, and location data is not recorded. | ||
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 | TFT 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 | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras write to a single SD or SDHC card slot, so one card type serves either body. The same BP-SCL1 battery is rated for 350 shots in each, and neither charges over USB, so a separate charger and a spare battery belong in the bag. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-SCL1 | BP-SCL1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
350 shots1505000 | 350 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Resolution, sensor type and format, lens mount, processor, shutter speed, ISO range, screen, storage and battery specifications all match between the M9 and M9-P. The M9-P followed in 2011, two years after the 2009 M9, but no specification in this comparison improves on the earlier camera.
For photographers who count grams, the M9 is the lighter body at 585 g against 600 g, a 15 g saving. Beyond that weight difference, the specification record supports either camera equally, and the choice comes down to factors outside this comparison.