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Leica M9 vs Canon 1300D

The Leica M9 and the Canon EOS 1300D (labelled Canon T6 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in September 2009 and March 2016. The M9 is a rangefinder-focusing mirrorless camera, while the 1300D is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a full frame (M9) and an APS-C (1300D) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 18.1 megapixels, whereas the Canon provides 17.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Leica M9
versus
Canon 1300D
Leica M9   Canon 1300D
Rangefinder camera Digital single lens reflex
Leica M mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
18.1 MP – Full Frame sensor 17.9 MP – APS-C sensor
no Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 80-2,500 ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
2.5" LCD – 230k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
2 shutter flaps per second 3 shutter flaps per second
139 x 80 x 37 mm, 585 g 129 x 101 x 78 mm, 485 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica M9 and the Canon EOS 1300D? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Leica M9 and the Canon 1300D are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The M9 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the 1300D is only available in black.

Size Leica M9 vs Canon 1300D
Compare M9 versus 1300D top
Comparison M9 or 1300D rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 1300D is notably larger (17 percent) than the Leica M9. However, the 1300D is markedly lighter (17 percent) than the M9. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the M9 nor the 1300D are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Leica M Lens Catalog (M9) and the Canon EF Lens Catalog (1300D).

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica M9 139 mm 80 mm 37 mm 585 g .. n Sep 2009 7,999ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 1300D 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 485 g 500 n Mar 2016 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 2000D 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 475 g 500 n Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon M10 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 301 g 255 n Oct 2015 499ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 1200D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 449ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 100D 117 mm 91 mm 69 mm 407 g 380 n Mar 2013 549ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 700D 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 580 g 440 n Mar 2013 649ebay.com
8.
 
Canon T2i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 530 g 440 n Feb 2010 699ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T1i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 520 g 400 n Mar 2009 799ebay.com
10.
 
Leica M11 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 640 g 700 Y Jan 2022 8,995 amazon.com
11.
 
Leica M10-R 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jul 2020 8,295 amazon.com
12.
 
Leica M10-P 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Aug 2018 7,995 amazon.com
13.
 
Leica M10 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
14.
 
Leica X Typ 113 133 mm 73 mm 78 mm 486 g 350 n Sep 2014 2,295ebay.com
15.
 
Leica X Vario 133 mm 73 mm 95 mm 680 g 450 n Jun 2013 2,850ebay.com
16.
 
Leica M Typ 240 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g .. Y Sep 2012 6,950ebay.com
17.
 
Leica M8 139 mm 80 mm 37 mm 591 g .. n Sep 2006 5,499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The 1300D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 94 percent) than the M9, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica M9 features a full frame sensor and the Canon 1300D an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the 1300D is 62 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 1.6. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Leica M9 and Canon 1300D sensor measures

With 18.1MP, the M9 offers a slightly higher resolution than the 1300D (17.9MP), but the M9 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.91μm versus 4.31μm for the 1300D) due to its larger sensor. However, the 1300D is a much more recent model (by 6 years and 6 months) than the M9, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the M9 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The Leica M9 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 2500. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS 1300D are ISO 100 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-12800.

In terms of underlying technology, the M9 is build around a CCD sensor, while the 1300D uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

M9 versus 1300D MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Leica M9 Full Frame 18.1 5212 3472none22.511.788469
2.
 
Canon 1300D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.778166
3.
 
Canon 2000D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.611.9100971
4.
 
Canon M10 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.211.475365
5.
 
Canon 1200D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
6.
 
Canon 100D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.811.384363
7.
 
Canon 700D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.268161
8.
 
Canon T2i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.578466
9.
 
Canon T1i APS-C 15.1 4752 31681080/20p21.711.566363
10.
 
Leica M11 Full Frame 60.3 9528 6328none26.314.83376100
11.
 
Leica M10-R Full Frame 40.9 7864 5200none25.314.3292495
12.
 
Leica M10-P Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none25.114.1273993
13.
 
Leica M10 Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none24.413.2213386
14.
 
Leica X Typ 113 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.612.8149178
15.
 
Leica X Vario APS-C 16.1 4928 32721080/30p23.412.7132078
16.
 
Leica M Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p24.013.3186084
17.
 
Leica M8 APS-H 10.4 3936 2630none21.111.366359
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The 1300D indeed provides for movie recording, while the M9 does not. The highest resolution format that the 1300D can use is 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The M9 and the 1300D are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinder in the M9 offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the 1300D (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the M9 has a higher magnification (0.68x vs 0.50x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica M9, the Canon 1300D, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Leica M9optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 2.0/s n n
2.
 
Canon 1300Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 2000Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon M10none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 4.6/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 1200Doptical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon 100Doptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.9/s Y n
7.
 
Canon 700Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon T2ioptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
9.
 
Canon T1ioptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.4/s Y n
10.
 
Leica M11optical n3.0 / 2333 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.5/s n n
11.
 
Leica M10-Roptical n3.0 / 1037 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.5/s n n
12.
 
Leica M10-Poptical n3.0 / 1037 fixed Y 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
13.
 
Leica M10optical n3.0 / 1037 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
14.
 
Leica X Typ 113optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
15.
 
Leica X Variooptional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
16.
 
Leica M Typ 240optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
17.
 
Leica M8optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 2.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The 1300D has one, while the M9 does not. While the built-in flash of the 1300D is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the M9 and the 1300D write their files to SDXC cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica M9 and Canon EOS 1300D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica M9Y- / ----2.0---
2.
 
Canon 1300DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon 2000DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon M10-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon 1200DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
6.
 
Canon 100DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon 700DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
8.
 
Canon T2iYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon T1iYmono / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Leica M11Y- / ----3.2Y-Y
11.
 
Leica M10-RY- / -----Y--
12.
 
Leica M10-PY- / -----Y--
13.
 
Leica M10Y- / -----Y--
14.
 
Leica X Typ 113Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
15.
 
Leica X VarioYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
16.
 
Leica M Typ 240Ystereo / mono---2.0---
17.
 
Leica M8Y- / ----2.0---
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It is notable that the 1300D offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the M9 does not provide wifi capability.

Both the M9 and the 1300D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The M9 was replaced by the Leica M Typ 240, while the 1300D was followed by the Canon 2000D. Further information on the features and operation of the M9 and 1300D can be found, respectively, in the Leica M9 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 1300D Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Leica M9 better than the Canon 1300D or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Arguments in favor of the Leica M9:

  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.68x vs 0.50x).
  • More compact: Is smaller (139x80mm vs 129x101mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in September 2009).

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Advantages of the Canon EOS 1300D:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/30p video.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 230k dots).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3 vs 2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 100g or 17 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (94 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 6 years and 6 months of technical progress since the M9 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 1300D is the clear winner of the contest (11 : 6 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

M9 06:11 1300D

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the M9 or the 1300D perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica M9........4.5/5.. Sep 2009 7,999ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 1300D4/5o4/573/1004/54/5 Mar 2016 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 2000D3/5o3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon M10..........4/5 Oct 2015 499ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 1200D3/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 449ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 100D4/5+..78/1004/54/5 Mar 2013 549ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 700D......76/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2013 649ebay.com
8.
 
Canon T2i..+ +..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 699ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T1i..+ +..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 799ebay.com
10.
 
Leica M114.5/5..4.5/5..4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2022 8,995 amazon.com
11.
 
Leica M10-R4.5/5..4/5....4/5 Jul 2020 8,295 amazon.com
12.
 
Leica M10-P....3/5....4/5 Aug 2018 7,995 amazon.com
13.
 
Leica M104.5/5......4/54.5/5 Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
14.
 
Leica X Typ 1133.5/5......3.5/54/5 Sep 2014 2,295ebay.com
15.
 
Leica X Vario3/5......4/54/5 Jun 2013 2,850ebay.com
16.
 
Leica M Typ 2404/5......4/5.. Sep 2012 6,950ebay.com
17.
 
Leica M8......+ +.... Sep 2006 5,499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Leica M9 vs Canon 1300D

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Leica M9 Canon 1300D
    Camera Type Rangefinder camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Leica M mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2009 March 2016
    Launch Price USD 7,999 USD 449
    Sensor Specs Leica M9 Canon 1300D
    Sensor Technology CCD CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 36.0 x 24.0 mm 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 864 mm2 332.27 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43.3 mm 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 18.1 Megapixels 17.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5212 x 3472 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 6.91 μm 4.31 μm
    Pixel Density 2.09 MP/cm2 5.39 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 80 - 2,500 ISO 100 - 6,400 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 100 - 12,800 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 69 66
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.5 22
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.7 11.7
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 884 781
    Screen Specs Leica M9 Canon 1300D
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.68x 0.50x
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.5inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Leica M9 Canon 1300D
    Focus System Manual Focus Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 2 shutter flaps/s 3 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Leica M9 Canon 1300D
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Body Specs Leica M9 Canon 1300D
    Battery Type BLI-312 LP-E10
    Body Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37 mm
    (5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5 in)
    129 x 101 x 78 mm
    (5.1 x 4.0 x 3.1 in)
    Camera Weight 585 g (20.6 oz) 485 g (17.1 oz)
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