Leica
M9
First full-frame digital Leica M — 18MP CCD with no AA filter and iconic rangefinder handling.
$6,995
Launch priceReleased Sep 2009
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Alpha 7 IV is 12.1 years newer.
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Wins
M9
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 49)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 120 frames)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- AM9 has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 10 fps)
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
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
M9 is 16mm shorter and 43mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV but it is also 8mm wider.
M9 is 73 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 37mm M9 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
M9
139 × 80 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 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
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 80 mm
Sensor size, to scale
M9
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
M9: mount data unavailable
Alpha 7 IV
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
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
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only M9 supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better
Weight
585 g vs 658 g — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 580 shots — higher is better
AF frame coverage
100 % vs 94 % — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
AF points / zones
759 vs 49 — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
AA filter
Only Alpha 7 IV supports it
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — 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
Alpha 7 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the M9 and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7 IV
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, M9 or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 7.5/10 versus 4.0/10 for M9 — 33MP — ample resolution.
What's the resolution difference between the M9 and Alpha 7 IV?
M9 is 18 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the M9 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
M9 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the M9 or the Alpha 7 IV?
M9 reaches 20 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the M9 and Alpha 7 IV?
M9 weighs 585 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the M9 is 73 g lighter.
Do the M9 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
M9: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the M9 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
M9: No. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the M9 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the M9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
M9 launched at $6,995 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $4,496 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way M9 vs Alpha 7 IV vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Leica and Sony press materials.