• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 2500
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Leica M9 advantages over Sony A6100

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.87 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 59 mm
    Thinner
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Sony A6100 advantages over Leica M9

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 18.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 1.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    76 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 2500 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Leica M9

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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality, with unique film-like "Leica look"; No-nonsense controls; Solid build; Good print quality.

  • Difficult to focus in low light; High default contrast and saturation; Manual focus only; Lack of low-pass filter can leave moire and other artifacts.

  • Read our Leica M9 Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica M Monochrom

Leica M9
Leica M Monochrom
  • $8000
  • 35mm
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Leica M9 vs Leica M Monochrom

Sony A6100
Leica M Monochrom
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A6100 vs Leica M Monochrom

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Leica M9
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $8000
  • 35mm
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Leica M9 vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Sony A6100
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A6100 vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Leica M9
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $8000
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica M9 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Sony A6100
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A6100 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Leica M9
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $8000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica M9 vs Fujifilm X-T100

Sony A6100
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A6100 vs Fujifilm X-T100

Compared to Sony A6400

Leica M9
Sony A6400
  • $8000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica M9 vs Sony A6400

Sony A6100
Sony A6400
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony A6100 vs Sony A6400

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