Leica M9 vs Pentax MX-1

The Leica M9 and the Pentax MX-1 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in September 2009 and January 2013. The M9 is a rangefinder-focusing mirrorless camera, while the MX-1 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a full frame (M9) and a 1/1.7-inch (MX-1) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 18.1 megapixels, whereas the Pentax provides 12 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Leica M9		Pentax MX-1
Rangefinder camera		Fixed lens compact camera
Leica M mount lenses		28-112mm f/1.8-2.5
18.1 MP – Full Frame sensor		12 MP – 1/1.7" sensor
no Video		1080/30p Video
ISO 80-2,500		ISO 100-12,800
Optical viewfinder		No viewfinder, LCD framing
2.5" LCD – 230k dots		3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
2 shutter flaps per second		1 shutter flaps per second
no shake reduction		In-body stabilization
550 shots per battery charge		290 shots per battery charge
139 x 80 x 37 mm, 585 g		122 x 61 x 51 mm, 391 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica M9 and the Pentax MX-1? 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.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Leica M9 and the Pentax MX-1 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The M9 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the MX-1 is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Pentax MX-1 is considerably smaller (33 percent) than the Leica M9. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the M9 nor the MX-1 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the MX-1 has a lens built in, whereas the M9 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the M9 and their specifications in the Leica M Lens Catalog.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

		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	550	n	Sep 2009	7,999	ebay.com
2.		Pentax MX-1	122 mm	61 mm	51 mm	391 g	290	n	Jan 2013	499	ebay.com
3.		Canon G15	107 mm	76 mm	40 mm	352 g	350	n	Sep 2012	499	ebay.com
4.		Canon G16	109 mm	76 mm	40 mm	356 g	360	n	Aug 2013	549	ebay.com
5.		Canon T1i	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	520 g	400	n	Mar 2009	799	ebay.com
6.		Canon T2i	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	530 g	440	n	Feb 2010	699	ebay.com
7.		Leica M Typ 240	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	500	Y	Sep 2012	6,950	ebay.com
8.		Leica M8	139 mm	80 mm	37 mm	591 g	550	n	Sep 2006	5,499	ebay.com
9.		Leica M10	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Jan 2017	6,595	ebay.com
10.		Leica M10-P	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Aug 2018	7,995	ebay.com
11.		Leica M10-R	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Jul 2020	8,295	ebay.com
12.		Leica M11	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	640 g	700	Y	Jan 2022	8,995	amazon.com
13.		Leica X Vario	133 mm	73 mm	95 mm	680 g	450	n	Jun 2013	2,850	ebay.com
14.		Leica X Typ 113	133 mm	73 mm	78 mm	486 g	350	n	Sep 2014	2,295	ebay.com
15.		Nikon P7800	119 mm	78 mm	50 mm	399 g	350	n	Sep 2013	549	ebay.com
16.		Olympus XZ-2	113 mm	65 mm	48 mm	346 g	340	n	Sep 2012	599	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic LF1	103 mm	62 mm	28 mm	192 g	250	n	Apr 2013	499	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The MX-1 was launched at a lower price than the M9, despite having a lens built in. 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 generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better 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 Pentax MX-1 a 1/1.7-inch sensor. The sensor area in the MX-1 is 95 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 4.5. The sensor in the M9 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the MX-1 offers a 4:3 aspect.

With 18.1MP, the M9 offers a higher resolution than the MX-1 (12MP), but the M9 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.91μm versus 1.89μm for the MX-1) due to its larger sensor. However, the MX-1 is a much more recent model (by 3 years and 3 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 resolution advantage of the Leica M9 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the M9 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 26.1 x 17.4 inches or 66.2 x 44.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.8 x 13.9 inches or 53 x 35.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.4 x 11.6 inches or 44.1 x 29.4 cm. The corresponding values for the Pentax MX-1 are 20 x 15 inches or 50.8 x 38.1 cm for good quality, 16 x 12 inches or 40.6 x 30.5 cm for very good quality, and 13.3 x 10 inches or 33.9 x 25.4 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica M9 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 2500. The corresponding ISO settings for the Pentax MX-1 are ISO 100 to ISO 12800 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the M9 is build around a CCD sensor, while the MX-1 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.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under review, the M9 provides substantially higher image quality than the MX-1, with an overall score that is 20 points higher. This advantage is based on 2.1 bits higher color depth, 0.4 EV in additional dynamic range, and 2.1 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		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	3472	none	22.5	11.7	884	69
2.		Pentax MX-1	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/30p	20.4	11.3	208	49
3.		Canon G15	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/24p	19.9	11.5	165	46
4.		Canon G16	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	21.0	11.7	230	54
5.		Canon T1i	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	1080/20p	21.7	11.5	663	63
6.		Canon T2i	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.5	784	66
7.		Leica M Typ 240	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	1080/25p	24.0	13.3	1860	84
8.		Leica M8	APS-H	10.4	3936	2630	none	21.1	11.3	663	59
9.		Leica M10	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	24.4	13.2	2133	86
10.		Leica M10-P	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	25.1	14.1	2739	93
11.		Leica M10-R	Full Frame	40.9	7864	5200	none	25.3	14.3	2924	95
12.		Leica M11	Full Frame	60.3	9528	6328	none	26.3	14.8	3376	100
13.		Leica X Vario	APS-C	16.1	4928	3272	1080/30p	23.4	12.7	1320	78
14.		Leica X Typ 113	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	23.6	12.8	1491	78
15.		Nikon P7800	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/30p	21.2	11.7	200	54
16.		Olympus XZ-2	1/1.7	11.8	3968	2976	1080/30p	20.4	11.3	216	49
17.		Panasonic LF1	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60i	20.8	11.6	211	52
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The MX-1 indeed provides for movie recording, while the M9 does not. The highest resolution format that the MX-1 can use is 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the M9 has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the MX-1 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Leica M9 and Pentax MX-1 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		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 M9	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.0/s	n	n
2.		Pentax MX-1	none	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	n	1/8000s	1.0/s	Y	Y
3.		Canon G15	optical	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.1/s	Y	Y
4.		Canon G16	optical	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.2/s	Y	Y
5.		Canon T1i	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.4/s	Y	n
6.		Canon T2i	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.7/s	Y	n
7.		Leica M Typ 240	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	n
8.		Leica M8	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	2.0/s	n	n
9.		Leica M10	optical	n	3.0 / 1037	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0/s	n	n
10.		Leica M10-P	optical	n	3.0 / 1037	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	n	n
11.		Leica M10-R	optical	n	3.0 / 1037	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.5/s	n	n
12.		Leica M11	optical	n	3.0 / 2333	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.5/s	n	n
13.		Leica X Vario	optional	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.0/s	Y	n
14.		Leica X Typ 113	optional	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.0/s	Y	n
15.		Nikon P7800	921	n	3.0 / 921	swivel	n	1/4000s	8.0/s	Y	Y
16.		Olympus XZ-2	optional	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	Y	1/2000s	5.0/s	Y	Y
17.		Panasonic LF1	200	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The MX-1 has one, while the M9 does not. While the built-in flash of the MX-1 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 MX-1 write their files to SDXC cards.

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 Pentax MX-1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Leica M9	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Pentax MX-1	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon G15	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Canon G16	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
5.		Canon T1i	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon T2i	Y	stereo / -	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Leica M Typ 240	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Leica M8	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Leica M10	Y	- / -	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
10.		Leica M10-P	Y	- / -	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
11.		Leica M10-R	Y	- / -	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
12.		Leica M11	Y	- / -	-	-	-	3.2	Y	-	Y
13.		Leica X Vario	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Leica X Typ 113	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Nikon P7800	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Olympus XZ-2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Panasonic LF1	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the M9 has a hotshoe, while the MX-1 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

Both the M9 and the MX-1 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The M9 was replaced by the Leica M Typ 240, while the MX-1 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the M9 and MX-1 can be found, respectively, in the Leica M9 Manual (free pdf) or the online Pentax MX-1 Manual.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Leica M9 or the Pentax MX-1 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Leica M9:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (18.1 vs 12MP) with a 25% higher linear resolution.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (20 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
• Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (2.1 bits more color depth).
• Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (2.1 stops ISO advantage).
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (2 vs 1 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (550 versus 290) on a single battery charge.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• 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).

Reasons to prefer the Pentax MX-1:

• 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).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the M9 necessitates an extra lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (122x61mm vs 139x80mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the M9).
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Reflects 3 years and 3 months of technical progress since the M9 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the MX-1 comes out slightly ahead of the M9 (13 : 12 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the M9 or the MX-1. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major 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.

Expert Camera Reviews

		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	7,999	ebay.com
2.		Pentax MX-1	3/5	..	..	74/100	4/5	4/5	Jan 2013	499	ebay.com
3.		Canon G15	4/5	+	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	499	ebay.com
4.		Canon G16	4/5	+	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	549	ebay.com
5.		Canon T1i	..	+ +	..	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	799	ebay.com
6.		Canon T2i	..	+ +	..	77/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2010	699	ebay.com
7.		Leica M Typ 240	4/5	..	..	..	4/5	..	Sep 2012	6,950	ebay.com
8.		Leica M8	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Sep 2006	5,499	ebay.com
9.		Leica M10	4.5/5	..	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	6,595	ebay.com
10.		Leica M10-P	..	..	3/5	..	..	4/5	Aug 2018	7,995	ebay.com
11.		Leica M10-R	4.5/5	..	4/5	..	..	4/5	Jul 2020	8,295	ebay.com
12.		Leica M11	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2022	8,995	amazon.com
13.		Leica X Vario	3/5	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jun 2013	2,850	ebay.com
14.		Leica X Typ 113	3.5/5	..	..	..	3.5/5	4/5	Sep 2014	2,295	ebay.com
15.		Nikon P7800	3/5	..	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2013	549	ebay.com
16.		Olympus XZ-2	4/5	+	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	599	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic LF1	3/5	+	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Apr 2013	499	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted 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. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods 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? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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