Leica
M11
Rangefinder icon with 60MP and classic M-mount heritage.
$8,995
Launch priceReleased Jan 2022
Leica
M9
First full-frame digital Leica M — 18MP CCD with no AA filter and iconic rangefinder handling.
$6,995
Launch priceReleased Sep 2009
M11 is 12.3 years newer.
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Wins
M11
Wins
M9
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BM9 has higher AF points / zones (49 vs 0)
- BM9 has higher IBIS effectiveness (7 stops vs 0 stops)
- BM9 has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 15 frames)
- BM9 has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 4.5 fps)
- AM11 has higher Resolution (60.3 MP vs 18 MP)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
M11
139 × 80 × 39 mm
530 g (1.17 lb / 18.70 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
M9
139 × 80 × 37 mm
585 g (1.29 lb / 20.64 oz)
M11 is 2mm thicker than M9.
M11 is 55 g lighter than M9.
Depth (front-to-back): 39mm M11 · 37mm M9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
M11
139 × 80 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
M9
139 × 80 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
M11
139 × 39 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
M9
139 × 37 mm
Sensor size, to scale
M11
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
M9
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
M11
Resolution
60.3 MP vs 18 MP — higher is better
ISO max (native)
50,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
ISO min (native)
64 vs 100 — lower is better
EVF resolution
5,760,000 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 38.5
Weight
530 g vs 585 g — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
700 shots vs 640 shots — higher is better
Reasons to choose
M9
AF points / zones
49 vs 0 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 15 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 4.5 fps — higher is better
Eye AF
Only M9 supports it
Animal / bird AF
Only M9 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
- ✓EVF refresh rate — Both 120 Hz
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
M11
Pros
- ✓Rangefinder experience
- ✓60MP
- ✓Legendary brand
Cons
- –Manual focus only
- –Extremely expensive
- –No video focus
M9
Pros
- ✓First digital FF Leica M
- ✓CCD rendering
- ✓No AA filter
- ✓Historic significance
Cons
- –Very slow by modern standards
- –18MP
- –CCD corrosion risk on used units
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the M11 and M9 at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, M11 or M9?
M9 scores 7.5/10 versus 0.0/10 for M11 — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the M11 and M9?
M11 is 60.3 MP and M9 is 18 MP, so the M11 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the M11 and M9 have in-body image stabilization?
M11 does not have IBIS, while M9 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the M11 or the M9?
M11 reaches 4.5 fps electronic. M9 reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the M11 and M9?
M11 weighs 530 g and M9 weighs 585 g, so the M11 is 55 g lighter.
Do the M11 and M9 record 4K video?
M11: 4K up to 60p. M9: 4K up to 60p.
Are the M11 and M9 weather sealed?
M11: No. M9: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 700 shots (CIPA) for the M11 and 640 shots for the M9, giving the M11 the edge.
How much does each cost?
M11 launched at $8,995 and M9 at $6,995. The M9 is $2,000 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way M11 vs M9 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Leica press materials.