Leica
M9
First full-frame digital Leica M — 18MP CCD with no AA filter and iconic rangefinder handling.
$6,995
Launch priceReleased Sep 2009
Leica
SL3
60MP L-mount flagship with 8K video and Leica color science.
$6,995
Launch priceReleased Mar 2024
SL3 is 14.5 years newer.
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Wins
M9
Wins
SL3
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BSL3 has higher AF points / zones (779 vs 49)
- BSL3 has higher ISO max (native) (100,000 vs 25,600)
- BSL3 has higher Resolution (60.3 MP vs 18 MP)
- BSL3 has lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
- BSL3 has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 3,690,000)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareM9
139 × 80 × 37 mm
585 g (1.29 lb / 20.64 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
SL3
141 × 108 × 85 mm
769 g (1.70 lb / 27.13 oz)
M9 is 2mm narrower, 28mm shorter, and 48mm thinner than SL3.
M9 is 184 g lighter than SL3.
Depth (front-to-back): 37mm M9 · 85mm SL3
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
M9
139 × 80 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
SL3
141 × 108 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
M9
139 × 37 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
SL3
141 × 85 mm
Sensor size, to scale
M9
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
SL3
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
M9: mount data unavailable
SL3
✓ more lensesLeica L
80+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
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
M9
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 139, 80, 37
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only M9 supports it
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better
Weight
585 g vs 769 g — lower is better
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 7 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
SL3
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 141.2, 108, 84.6
AF points / zones
779 vs 49 — higher is better
ISO max (native)
100,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Resolution
60.3 MP vs 18 MP — higher is better
ISO min (native)
50 vs 100 — lower is better
Internal RAW video
Only SL3 supports it
Weather sealing
Only SL3 supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B
Both cameras share
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 100 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
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
SL3
Pros
- ✓60MP
- ✓8K video
- ✓Leica build
- ✓L-mount
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Heavy
- –Large files
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the M9 and SL3 at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, M9 or SL3?
SL3 scores 10.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for M9 — 60.3MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the M9 and SL3?
M9 is 18 MP and SL3 is 60.3 MP, so the SL3 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the M9 and SL3 have in-body image stabilization?
M9 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while SL3 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the M9 or the SL3?
M9 reaches 20 fps electronic. SL3 reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the M9 and SL3?
M9 weighs 585 g and SL3 weighs 769 g, so the M9 is 184 g lighter.
Do the M9 and SL3 record 4K video?
M9: 4K up to 60p. SL3: 8K / C8K (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the M9 and SL3 weather sealed?
M9: No. SL3: Yes.
How much does each cost?
Both launched at $6,995.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way M9 vs SL3 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Leica press materials.