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Leica

M9

First full-frame digital Leica M — 18MP CCD with no AA filter and iconic rangefinder handling.

$6,995

Launch price

Released Sep 2009

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vs

Leica

SL3-S

Fast 24.6MP L-mount hybrid with 6K open-gate video, 30fps burst, and 5-axis stabilization.

$5,295

Launch price

Released Jan 2025

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Full specs →

SL3-S is 15.3 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

M9

★ Wildlife★ Vlogging

Wins

7categories

SL3-S

★ Video & Hybrid★ Landscape

5 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

M9 wins 0 categories·SL3-S wins 5 categories
  • BSL3-S has higher AF points / zones (779 vs 49)
  • BSL3-S has higher ISO max (native) (200,000 vs 25,600)
  • BSL3-S has lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
  • BSL3-S has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 3,690,000)
  • BSL3-S has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 20 fps)

Key specs at a glance

M9SL3-S
Resolution18 MP24.6 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max25,600200,000
Burst20 fps30 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS7-stop5-stop
Weight585 g768 g
Battery640 shots—

Size and weight, to scale

M9

139 × 80 × 37 mm

585 g (1.29 lb / 20.64 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

SL3-S

141 × 108 × 83 mm

768 g (1.69 lb / 27.09 oz)

M9 is 2mm narrower, 28mm shorter, and 46mm thinner than SL3-S.

M9 is 183 g lighter than SL3-S.

Depth (front-to-back): 37mm M9 · 83mm SL3-S

Sensor size, to scale

M9

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

SL3-S

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

M9: mount data unavailable

SL3-S

✓ more lenses

Leica L

80+

native lenses available

30 first-party50 third-party

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

Use caseM9SL3-S
Portrait
6.5Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
7.5Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
8.5Excellent✓ wins
Landscape
4.0Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Travel
6.0Good✓ wins
4.5Fair
Wildlife
7.5Good✓ wins
6.5Good
Vlogging
7.0Good✓ wins
5.5Fair

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 768 g — lower is better

  • Burst (mechanical)

    8 fps vs 7 fps — higher is better

Reasons to choose

SL3-S

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 141.2, 108, 82.7

  • AF points / zones

    779 vs 49 — higher is better

  • ISO max (native)

    200,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better

  • ISO min (native)

    50 vs 100 — lower is better

  • Internal RAW video

    Only SL3-S supports it

  • Weather sealing

    Only SL3-S supports it

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B

  • EVF resolution

    5,760,000 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better

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
  • ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
  • ✓Card slots — Both 2

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-S

Pros

  • ✓6K open-gate video
  • ✓30fps electronic burst
  • ✓24.6MP full-frame
  • ✓CFexpress plus SD

Cons

  • –Lower resolution than SL3
  • –Large body
  • –Premium price

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the M9 and SL3-S at major authorized retailers.

Leica M9

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Leica SL3-S

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Full specifications

✓ = category winner

M9
SL3-S
Resolution
18 MP
24.6 MP✓+37%
Sensor type
Full Frame CCD
Full-frame BSI CMOS
Sensor size
36.0 × 24.0 mm
36 x 24 mm
AA filter
No
No
M9
SL3-S
Processor
Maestro IV
Maestro IV
M9
SL3-S
ISO min (native)
100
50✓−50 less
ISO max (native)
25,600
200,000✓+3 stops
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
200,000
M9
SL3-S
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical focal-plane + electronic shutter
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for landscape, M9 or SL3-S?

SL3-S scores 8.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for M9 — Full-frame sensor — wider dynamic range.

What's the resolution difference between the M9 and SL3-S?

M9 is 18 MP and SL3-S is 24.6 MP, so the SL3-S captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the M9 and SL3-S have in-body image stabilization?

M9 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while SL3-S has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the M9 or the SL3-S?

M9 reaches 20 fps electronic. SL3-S reaches 30 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the M9 and SL3-S?

M9 weighs 585 g and SL3-S weighs 768 g, so the M9 is 183 g lighter.

Do the M9 and SL3-S record 4K video?

M9: 4K up to 60p. SL3-S: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p.

Are the M9 and SL3-S weather sealed?

M9: No. SL3-S: Yes.

How much does each cost?

M9 launched at $6,995 and SL3-S at $5,295. The SL3-S is $1,700 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way M9 vs SL3-S vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.