• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 2500
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A9
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Sony A9 II
A9 vs A9 II
General
Model Number: M-E (Typ 220) A9
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCE-9
Camera Format: Rangefinder Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $5450.00 $4499.00
Street Price: $7,999.00 $3,147.00
Date Available: 2012-09-30 2017-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 20.6 oz (585 g)
includes batteries
23.7 oz (673 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5 in.
(139 x 80 x 37 mm)
5.0 x 3.8 x 2.5 in.
(127 x 96 x 63 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Kodak KAF-18500 Sony
Effective Megapixels: 18.0 24.2
Sensor Format: 35mm 35mm
Sensor size: 864mm2 (36mm x 24mm) 847.28mm2 (35.60mm x 23.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 6.91 microns 5.93 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: None Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 69 92
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.7 24.9
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.7 13.3
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 787 3,517
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 5212 x 3472 (18.1 MP, 3:2),
3840 x 2592 (10.0 MP, Other),
2592 x 1728 (4.5 MP, 3:2),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2),
1280 x 846 (1.1 MP, Other)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG, .DNG RAW (14-bit, compressed or uncompressed), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.31), RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3 compressed or uncompressed), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.0 20.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (120p/​100p/​60p/​60i/​50p/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (1p/​2p/​3p/​4p/​6p/​8p/​12p/​15p)
Movie File Format:   XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: LPCM / Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: No Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Leica M bayonet Sony E
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range: Varies with lens used  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: No Yes
Auto Focus Type: n/a Fast Hybrid AF: Wide (693 points (phase-detection AF), 25 points (contrast-detection AF)) / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Expanded Flexible Spot / Lock-on AF (Wide / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Expanded Flexible Spot)
Auto Focus Assist Light? n/a Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Non-TTL bright-line frame rangefinder w/ automatic parallax compensation, 0.68x magnification EVF: 1.3 cm (0.5 type) 3,686K-dot Quad VGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.78x magnification, -4.0 to +3.0m-1 diopter, Approx. 23mm eyepoint from the eyepiece lens, 18.5mm from the eyepiece frame at -1m-1 (CIPA standard), STD 60fps / HI 120fps, eye sensor
Focus Peaking: Yes Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 3,686,400 dots (1,228,800 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.68x 0.78x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.68x 0.78x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 1,440,000 dots (360,000 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom:   15.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 2500 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 160 100
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 160 to 2,500 in 1/3EV steps, extendable to ISO 80 AUTO, ISO 100 - 51200, expandable to ISO 50 - 204800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Flash, Kelvin Setting (2000-12800K), Manual Auto (with Priority), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4 settings), Flash, Underwater, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 32 sec 1/32000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Center-weighted with working aperture 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot, Spot Standard/Large, Entire Screen Avg., Highlight
Program Auto Exposure: No Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: No Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: n/a Picture Effect: Posterization (Color), Posterization (B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R/G/B/Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera (Normal / Cool / Warm / Green / Magenta), Soft High-key; HDR: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step)
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2, 5, 10; 3/5 shots after 2/5/10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: Control with center-weighted TTL pre-flash metering (with SCA-3501/3502 adapter, or SCA-3000 standard flash unit such as Leica SF 24D/Leica SF 58). Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed Sync, Wireless; Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Multi Interface Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-II
Other Memory:   Slot1:SD UHS-II; 2:MS/SD UHS-I
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: .DNG RAW (14-bit, compressed or uncompressed), RAW+JPEG RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3 compressed or uncompressed), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: LPCM / Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,Ethernet,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No No
DPOF Compliant: No Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Threaded cable release Optional via IR, USB , Ethernet or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
Connections (extended):   Multi Micro-B USB 2.0 (with remote support), Type-D Micro HDMI, 100Base-T Ethernet, 3.5mm Microphone and Headphone Jacks, Sync Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):   <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.0 20.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   364
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   20.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   240
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   20.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   225
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):   0.22 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.097 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):   0.020 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:   1.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   650 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   480 shots
Battery Life, Video:   105 minutes
Battery Form Factor: 1 x proprietary 3.7v 1860mAh Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: Yes
Software
Included Software: Free download of Adobe Lightroom 4 for registered owners Capture One Express (for Sony) free download
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Cost reduced M9. No framing guide selector, no USB port. Available in Anthracite grey paint.