Leica M9

Price

Body only	$7,000	Kit	Unknown
	all M9 prices

Snapsort rank

Within its price range	#n/a of 42	Among similar cameras	#n/a of 49
	details		details

Key specs

Sensor size	Full frame 36.0x24.0mm	Screen resolution	230k dots
Megapixels	18.1 MP	Movie format	None
Screen size	2.5"	Light sensitivity	2,500 ISO
	see all specifications

Lenses

	Browse all Leica M9 lenses at LensHero

Leica M9 - Field Test and Hand...		Leica M9 hands-on preview by W...		Street Photography With the Le...
	Review Pro		Review		Review

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The Leica M9 vs other recent mirrorless cameras

	Doesn't use battery, see more detail
	Rangefinder

	More lenses available
	38 lenses

	External flash
	Better lighting

	Short startup delay
	800 ms startup delay

	Very large sensor
	Full frame 36.0x24.0mm

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The Leica M9 vs other recent mirrorless cameras

	Very low resolution screen
	230k dots

	No image stabilization
	Risk of blur

	Very poor maximum light sensitivity
	2,500 ISO

	Slow continuous shooting
	2 fps

	Fixed screen
	Less flexible

	Manual focus only
	None

	Lacks in-camera panoramas
	You could stitch photos in post

	Manual focus only
	None

	Sensor type
	CCD

	Slow shutter speed
	1/4000 of a second

	Not so popular
	Among snapsort users

	Short exposures
	8 seconds

	No movies
	None

	Small screen
	2.5"

	No touch screen
	More buttons

	Lacks in-camera HDR
	You could do HDR manually

	Doesn't take 3D photos
	No 3d support

	No live view
	Preview with viewfinder

	Old
	September, 2009

	Lacks boost light sensitivity
	None

	Lacks a self cleaning sensor
	May require cleaning

	Very heavy
	585 g

	Very expensive
	$6,999.99

	No built-in flash
	Professional

Image quality data for the Leica M9 provided by DxOMark

M9

Leica

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Showing 6 comments

Mike S

(4:53 AM, November 30, 2013)

Some people don't get it. Running around with big SLR bodies and long lenses is fine for some people, but Henri Cartier Bresson thought such equipment heavy, intrusive, and gaudy. The Leica gives you a small size but a full frame and great quality and lenses. It's expensive, but worth it for certain photographers.

C.W. Wiley

(0:32 AM, April 20, 2012)

Well, I have had several Leicas in my day. M3 SS - M2 leaver rewind release - IIIC and a black dial IIIF not in that order. Even the lowly, now very out dated screw mount Leica still commands some respect. I have never handled any camera, and I have had quite a few in my day including medium formats, that feels and handles like a Leica. True, they are pricey, but not any more so than some high end Canons or Nikons. True again a rangefinder is not for everybody. However, they do have a specific purpose and have more than earned their respect and place in the photographic world. An M9 is on my forever wish list though I seriously doubt at this point in my life I will ever be able to afford one, but If I could I surely would, no doubt! And for what its worth, that's my "Two cents worth." Thanks for the read!

Mike Svitek

(0:31 AM, April 06, 2012)

Aaaaand I agree with this also. I too own a DSLR and an M9, along with a Digital Medium Format. My I mainly use my D800 for whenever I need the specific mechanics of the system but, with the M9, everything is so simple, just like using an old film SLR, you set everything EXACTLY how you want it, and a full-frame sensor in such a small body ALWAYS creates high quality images. Its perfect to use on the streets!
However, one can't deny that the whole Leica system is quite expensive, bodies and lenses.

EHM

(8:54 PM, April 05, 2012)

Sorry, but I don't agree. Yes a DSLR will have better performance, but the use of a rangefinder is so different from the use of a dslr. You shouldn't compare those types of camera's. I have a nikon d7000 and a M9 and I love both camera's, but I use them for diffent types of photografy. With the dslr I tent to take a lot of photo's and select the best ones later. With the rangefinder I think about the photo I want to make and take a lot more time.
And the quality of the Leica lenses is so good, you just have to see them to believe. But if you don't have the money (or just don't have the patience to save for a M9 like I did) you should go for the best camera your money can buy. That is IMHO always the best you can do. But please don't bash people who have a Leica.

Mike Svitek

(11:04 PM, February 22, 2012)

I agree with you 100% ^
But there is one thing the specs don't mention, and that's the fact that this camera is, in fact, capable of using the Leica Noctilux lens, which is the only f/1 lens in existence aside from Medium Format lenses... the problem is that the lens costs more than the camera (about $10k).

L8tr597

(11:11 PM, August 07, 2011)

i do not think its worth the money....sorry i know SOME with unlimited wallets, just to pull it out a few time for those "in the know" about such high dollar, but you don't get crap for it, tell me a Nikon D3x or D3s even wouldn't be a better investment albeit much larger in size, its because when you spend $7,000 you should get quit a lot for that amount of American money

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Leica M9

Summary Leica M9

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Pros

The Leica M9 vs other recent mirrorless cameras

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The Leica M9 vs other recent mirrorless cameras

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Showing 6 comments