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Leica M9 vs Sony RX10 III

The Leica M9 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2009 and March 2016. The M9 is a rangefinder-focusing mirrorless camera, while the RX10 III is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a full frame (M9) and an one-inch (RX10 III) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 18.1 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 20 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
Sony RX10 III
Leica M9   Sony RX10 III
Rangefinder camera Fixed lens compact camera
Leica M mount lenses 24-600mm f/2.4-4.0
18.1 MP – Full Frame sensor 20 MP – 1" sensor
no Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 80-2,500 ISO 100-12,800 (64 - 25,600)
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)
2.5" LCD – 230k dots 3.0" LCD – 1229k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
2 shutter flaps per second 14 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
550 shots per battery charge420 shots per battery charge
139 x 80 x 37 mm, 585 g 133 x 94 x 127 mm, 1051 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica M9 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III? 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 Sony RX10 III 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 dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The M9 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the RX10 III is only available in black.

Size Leica M9 vs Sony RX10 III
Compare M9 versus RX10 III top
Comparison M9 or RX10 III rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony RX10 III is notably larger (12 percent) than the Leica M9. It is noteworthy in this context that the RX10 III is splash and dust-proof, while the M9 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the RX10 III 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.

Concerning battery life, the M9 gets 550 shots out of its Leica BLI-312 battery, while the RX10 III can take 420 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FW50 power pack. The power pack in the RX10 III can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica M9 139 mm 80 mm 37 mm 585 g 550 n Sep 2009 US$ 7 999ebay.com
2.
 
Sony RX10 III 133 mm 94 mm 127 mm 1051 g 420 Y Mar 2016 US$ 1 499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon T1i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 520 g 400 n Mar 2009 US$ 799ebay.com
4.
 
Canon T2i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 530 g 440 n Feb 2010 US$ 699ebay.com
5.
 
Leica M Typ 240 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g 500 Y Sep 2012 US$ 6 949ebay.com
6.
 
Leica M8 139 mm 80 mm 37 mm 591 g 550 n Sep 2006 US$ 5 499ebay.com
7.
 
Leica M10 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jan 2017 US$ 6 599ebay.com
8.
 
Leica M10-P 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Aug 2018 US$ 7 999ebay.com
9.
 
Leica M10-R 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jul 2020 US$ 8 299ebay.com
10.
 
Leica M11 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 640 g 700 Y Jan 2022 US$ 8 999 amazon.com
11.
 
Leica X Vario 133 mm 73 mm 95 mm 680 g 450 n Jun 2013 US$ 2 849ebay.com
12.
 
Leica X Typ 113 133 mm 73 mm 78 mm 486 g 350 n Sep 2014 US$ 2 299ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic FZ2500 138 mm 102 mm 135 mm 915 g 350 n Sep 2016 US$ 1 199 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony RX10 129 mm 88 mm 102 mm 813 g 420 Y Oct 2013 US$ 1 299ebay.com
15.
 
Sony RX10 II 129 mm 88 mm 102 mm 813 g 400 Y Jun 2015 US$ 1 299ebay.com
16.
 
Sony RX10 IV 133 mm 94 mm 145 mm 1095 g 400 Y Sep 2017 US$ 1 699 amazon.com
17.
 
Sony RX100 V 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 299 g 220 n Oct 2016 US$ 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The RX10 III 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 size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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 are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica M9 features a full frame sensor and the Sony RX10 III an one-inch sensor. The sensor area in the RX10 III is 87 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 2.7. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Leica M9 and Sony RX10 III sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the RX10 III offers a higher resolution of 20 megapixels, compared with 18.1 MP of the M9. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 2.41μm versus 6.91μm for the M9). However, it should be noted that the RX10 III is much more recent (by 6 years and 6 months) than the M9, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. 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 Sony RX10 III implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the RX10 III for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica M9 are 26.1 x 17.4 inches or 66.2 x 44.1 cm for good quality, 20.8 x 13.9 inches or 53 x 35.3 cm for very good quality, and 17.4 x 11.6 inches or 44.1 x 29.4 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 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III are ISO 100 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 64-25600.

In terms of underlying technology, the M9 is build around a CCD sensor, while the RX10 III uses a BSI-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 RX10 III MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty 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.
 
Sony RX10 III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p23.112.647270
3.
 
Canon T1i APS-C 15.1 4752 31681080/20p21.711.566363
4.
 
Canon T2i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.578466
5.
 
Leica M Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p24.013.3186084
6.
 
Leica M8 APS-H 10.4 3936 2630none21.111.366359
7.
 
Leica M10 Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none24.413.2213386
8.
 
Leica M10-P Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none25.114.1273993
9.
 
Leica M10-R Full Frame 40.9 7864 5200none25.314.3292495
10.
 
Leica M11 Full Frame 60.3 9528 6328none26.314.83376100
11.
 
Leica X Vario APS-C 16.1 4928 32721080/30p23.412.7132078
12.
 
Leica X Typ 113 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.612.8149178
13.
 
Panasonic FZ2500 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p23.012.653870
14.
 
Sony RX10 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.912.647469
15.
 
Sony RX10 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p23.012.653170
16.
 
Sony RX10 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.012.240863
17.
 
Sony RX100 V 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.458670
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The RX10 III indeed provides for movie recording, while the M9 does not. The highest resolution format that the RX10 III can use is 4K/30p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the RX10 III has an electronic viewfinder (2359k dots), while the M9 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the RX10 III has a higher magnification than the one of the M9 (0.70x vs 0.68x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Leica M9 and Sony RX10 III along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
  empty 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.
 
Sony RX10 III2359 Y3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 14.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon T1ioptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.4/s Y n
4.
 
Canon T2ioptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
5.
 
Leica M Typ 240optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
6.
 
Leica M8optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 2.0/s n n
7.
 
Leica M10optical n3.0 / 1037 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
8.
 
Leica M10-Poptical n3.0 / 1037 fixed Y 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
9.
 
Leica M10-Roptical n3.0 / 1037 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.5/s n n
10.
 
Leica M11optical n3.0 / 2333 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.5/s n n
11.
 
Leica X Variooptional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
12.
 
Leica X Typ 113optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
13.
 
Panasonic FZ25002360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
14.
 
Sony RX101440 Y3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/3200s 10.0/s Y Y
15.
 
Sony RX10 II2359 Y3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/3200s 14.0/s Y Y
16.
 
Sony RX10 IV2359 Y3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
17.
 
Sony RX100 V2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One feature that is present on the RX10 III, but is missing on the M9 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the RX10 III is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The M9 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the RX10 III uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The RX10 III supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the M9 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD 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 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty 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.
 
Sony RX10 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon T1iYmono / mono--mini2.0---
4.
 
Canon T2iYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
5.
 
Leica M Typ 240Ystereo / mono---2.0---
6.
 
Leica M8Y- / ----2.0---
7.
 
Leica M10Y- / -----Y--
8.
 
Leica M10-PY- / -----Y--
9.
 
Leica M10-RY- / -----Y--
10.
 
Leica M11Y- / ----3.2Y-Y
11.
 
Leica X VarioYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Leica X Typ 113Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Panasonic FZ2500Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y--
14.
 
Sony RX10Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony RX10 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony RX10 IVYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
17.
 
Sony RX100 V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-

It is notable that the RX10 III 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 RX10 III have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The M9 was replaced by the Leica M Typ 240, while the RX10 III was followed by the Sony RX10 IV. Further information on the features and operation of the M9 and RX10 III can be found, respectively, in the Leica M9 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony RX10 III Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica M9 and the Sony RX10 III? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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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.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.9 stops ISO advantage).
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
  • More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
  • More compact: Is smaller (139x80mm vs 133x94mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (550 versus 420) on a single battery charge.
  • 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 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (20 vs 18.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 5%.
  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (0.9 EV of extra DR).
  • Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 4K/30p video.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.68x).
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • 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 (1229k vs 230k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (14 vs 2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the M9 necessitates an extra lens.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
  • 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 RX10 III is the clear winner of the contest (22 : 9 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 wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

M9 09:22 RX10 III

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 RX10 III. 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 hands-on reviews by experts 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
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica M9........4.5/5.. Sep 2009 US$ 7 999ebay.com
2.
 
Sony RX10 III5/5+..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2016 US$ 1 499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon T1i..+ +..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 US$ 799ebay.com
4.
 
Canon T2i..+ +..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 US$ 699ebay.com
5.
 
Leica M Typ 2404/5......4/5.. Sep 2012 US$ 6 949ebay.com
6.
 
Leica M8......+ +.... Sep 2006 US$ 5 499ebay.com
7.
 
Leica M104.5/5......4/54.5/5 Jan 2017 US$ 6 599ebay.com
8.
 
Leica M10-P....3/5....4/5 Aug 2018 US$ 7 999ebay.com
9.
 
Leica M10-R4.5/5..4/5....4/5 Jul 2020 US$ 8 299ebay.com
10.
 
Leica M114.5/5..4.5/5..4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2022 US$ 8 999 amazon.com
11.
 
Leica X Vario3/5......4/54/5 Jun 2013 US$ 2 849ebay.com
12.
 
Leica X Typ 1133.5/5......3.5/54/5 Sep 2014 US$ 2 299ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic FZ2500..+..82/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2016 US$ 1 199 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony RX105/5+..80/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 US$ 1 299ebay.com
15.
 
Sony RX10 II5/5+ +..82/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2015 US$ 1 299ebay.com
16.
 
Sony RX10 IV5/5+3.5/584/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2017 US$ 1 699 amazon.com
17.
 
Sony RX100 V4.5/5+ +..83/1004/54.5/5 Oct 2016 US$ 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. 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, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Leica M9 vs Sony RX10 III

    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 Sony RX10 III
    Camera Type Rangefinder camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens Leica M mount lenses 24-600mm f/2.4-4.0
    Launch Date September 2009 March 2016
    Launch Price USD 7,999 USD 1,499
    Sensor Specs Leica M9 Sony RX10 III
    Sensor Technology CCD BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor 1" Sensor
    Sensor Size 36.0 x 24.0 mm 13.2 x 8.8 mm
    Sensor Area 864 mm2 116.16 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43.3 mm 15.9 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x 2.7x
    Sensor Resolution 18.1 Megapixels 20 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5212 x 3472 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 6.91 μm 2.41 μm
    Pixel Density 2.09 MP/cm2 17.18 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 80 - 2,500 ISO 100 - 12,800 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 64 - 25,600 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 69 70
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.5 23.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.7 12.6
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 884 472
    Screen Specs Leica M9 Sony RX10 III
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.68x 0.70x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2359k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.5inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 1229k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Leica M9 Sony RX10 III
    Focus System Manual Focus Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/2000s
    Continuous Shooting 2 shutter flaps/s 14 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/32000s
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Leica M9 Sony RX10 III
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Body Specs Leica M9 Sony RX10 III
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Leica BLI-312 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)550 shots per charge420 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37 mm
    (5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5 in)
    133 x 94 x 127 mm
    (5.2 x 3.7 x 5.0 in)
    Camera Weight 585 g (20.6 oz) 1051 g (37.1 oz)
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    Check M9 offers at
    ebay.com
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    Check RX10 III offers at
    ebay.com

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