Leica M9 vs Sigma SD14

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Leica M9 and the Sigma SD14, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Leica M9 was introduced in September 2009 and Sigma SD14 was introduced in September 2006. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica M9 over Sigma SD14.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sigma SD14 over Leica M9.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Leica M9 and Sigma SD14 have 2.5" Fixed screens with 230k dot and 150k dot resolutions respectively.

Viewfinder

Leica M9 has a built-in Optical (rangefinder) viewfinderSigma SD14 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. with 0.68x magnification and Sigma SD14 has 98% coverage with 0.90x (0.60x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

Leica M9 features a 18.0 megapixel Full Frame CCD sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 864 mm². Its native ISO range is 80 - 2,500. Sigma SD14 features a 5 megapixel APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor with dimensions of 20.7 x 13.8 mm and a total area of 190.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 800 and expands to 100 - 1,600 in boosted mode.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Leica M9 can take pictures up to 5212 x 3472 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3840 x 2592, 2592 x 1728, 1728 x 1152, 1280 x 846 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Sigma SD14 can take pictures up to 2640 x 1760 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 1776 x 1184, 1296 x 864 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Leica M9 has Leica M lens mount and Sigma SD14 has Sigma SA lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Leica M9 its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length. Due to APS-C sensor in Sigma SD14 its crop factor is equal to 1.7x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.7.

No Low-Pass Filter

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on either of the cameras. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Leica M9 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sigma SD14 nothing can be done. On Sigma SD14 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Leica M9 nothing can be done.

USB Inputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer.

External Storage Slots

Leica M9 has a single SD/SDHC card slot. Sigma SD14 has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, UDMA compatible), Microdrive card slot.

Shutter

Sigma SD14 has Electronically controlled focal plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Leica M9, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sigma SD14. Leica M9 can shoot continuously up to 2.0 fps. Sigma SD14 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Sigma SD14 ranges from +1 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 EV range. You can also do and manual exposure adjustment on Leica M9 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sigma SD14.

Flash

Sigma SD14 has a built-in flash and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. Leica M9 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on both cameras.

Leica M9 body has dimensions of 139 x 80 x 37 mm (5.47 x 3.15 x 1.46") and Sigma SD14 body has dimensions of 144 x 107 x 81 mm (5.67 x 4.21 x 3.19"). Leica M9 weighs 585 g (1.29 lb / 20.64 oz) and Sigma SD14 weighs 750 g (1.65 lb / 26.46 oz).

Leica M9

Sigma SD14

139 mm

80 mm

144 mm

107 mm