The Leica M9 system camera is very quiet. An extremely low noise level when cocking the shutter is ensured by a sophisticated motor and gearing system. In discreet mode, the shutter is only cocked after the photographer‘s finger is lifted from the shutter release button. When shooting handheld at long exposure times, or whenever extreme steadiness is essential, slight pressure on the shutter release button in ‘soft release’ mode is sufficient to trigger the Leica M9. In addition to these advantages, the fact that the combination of camera and lens is significantly more compact than any other full-frame camera system contributes to the fact that photographers are frequently unnoticed and often simply blend into the background. The perfect situation for a street photographer.

The Leica M9 digital system camera aids photographers with automatic functions, but it never dictates how to shoot or interferes with the picture-taking process. Depending on the light level, the automatic ISO shift function increases the sensitivity of the camera as soon as the shutter speed falls below a hand-holdable value. At the same time, it also limits the shift to a maximum value determined by the photographer. This means that correct exposure without camera shake and the lowest possible sensitivity is always available to guarantee the best possible image quality in all situations. In addition, the Leica M9 also offers automatic exposure bracketing with a user-selectable number of shots and exposure increments.

The Leica M9 camera’s sensitivity ranges from ISO 80 to ISO 2500. Low noise levels and finely detailed images are achieved throughout the sensitivity range, even at the highest ISO settings. Very low image noise characteristics, an extremely bright viewfinder/rangefinder, low-vibration shutter and the availability of super fast lenses make the Leica M9 the perfect camera for available-light photography.

The CCD image sensor in the M9 was specifically designed and developed for this camera – and offers full 35-mm film format without any compromises. All M lenses mounted on the M9 offer the same exact angle of view they had when shooting film material and therefore can now be used to an optimum effect. In other words, all the outstanding characteristics of Leica M lenses are now fully maintained for digital photography as well. In short, the high resolution and superior image quality of the Leica M9 has the ability to fully exploit the enormous potential of M lenses.

web.me.com reviews the Leica M9 and writes:
“If you love rangefinders, if you love Leica, if you are passionate about photography, the Leica is a great camera for you. If you shoot with DSLR’s and want a lighter camera that will become an extension of your mind and go with you everywhere, the M9 is a camera you will love. I can go on and on but I will stop here.”

David Farkas Photography Blog writes:
“Taken as a whole, the M9 is the most compact, highest quality image-making tool on the market, with a full frame sensor looking through gorgeous Leica M glass.”

luminous-landscape.com writes:
“In the end some may well see the M9 as an expensive retro plaything. But, there will be countless photographers both young and old around the world who will see the M9 for what it is – a unique photographic device that provides a method of photography that reaches back to the beginnings of photojournalism in the early years of the 20th century. Combining this with the latest digital technology that gives new expression to a style of photography that will likely never go out of style.”

Ephotozine writes:
“What I really like about the M9 is that Leica could’ve added all sorts of bells and whistles but instead went for the workhorse approach with superior build and invested in areas that the user wanted and what is important to photography. The direct ISO button and solving the IR filter issue are two worthwhile improvements.”

Specifications:

Camera type Compact digital view and rangefinder system camera.
Lens attachment Leica M bayonet with additional sensor for 6-bit coding.
Lens system Leica M lenses from 16 to 135 mm.
Picture format/ Image sensor
5270 x 3516 pixels (18.5 Megapixel) CCD chip, active area approx. 23.9 x 35.8 mm 5212 x 3472 pixels (18 Megapixel), (corresponding to usable format of analog Leica M models).
Resolution Adjustable, DNG™: 5212 x 3472 pixels (18 Megapixel), JPEG: 5212 x 3472 (18 Megapixel), 3840 x 2592 (10 Megapixel), 2592 x 1728 (4,5 Megapixel), 1728 x 1152 (2 Megapixel), 1280 x 846 pixels (1 Megapixel).
Data formats DNG™ (raw data), choice of uncompressed or slightly compressed (by non-linear reduction of color depth), 2 JPEG compression levels.
File size DNG: 18 MB (compressed)/36 MB (uncompressed), JPEG: approx. 2–10 MB.
Color spaces Adobe® RGB, sRGB.
White balance Automatic, manual, 7 presets, color temperature selection.
Storage medium SD cards up to 2GB/SDHC cards up to 32GB.
Menu languages German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Russian.
Compatibility Windows® XP/Vista®; Mac® OS X (10.5).
Exposure metering Exposure metering through the lens (TTL), center-weighted with working aperture. Center-weighted TTL metering for flash exposure with system-compatible SCA-3000/2 standard flash units.
Measurement principle Measured by light reflected by bright shutter blades on the first shutter curtain.
Metering range (at ISO 160/23°) At room temperature and normal humidity corresponds to EV 0 to 20 or f/1.0 and 1.2 s to f/32 and
1/1000 s. Flashing left triangular LED in viewfinder indicates values below metering range.
Measurement cell for available light (continuous light measurement) Silicon photo diode with condensing lens, positioned in the bottom center of the camera base.
Sensitivity range ISO 80/19° to ISO 2500/35°, adjustable in 1/3 ISO increments, with aperture priority A and manual exposure setting, choice of automatic control or manual setting, automatic control with snapshot profile.
Exposure mode Choice of automatic shutter speed control with manual aperture selection – aperture priority A – with corresponding digital display, or manual setting of shutter speed and aperture and adjustment using LED light balance with indication of correct
exposure, or risk of overexposure/camera shake (with snapshot profile only).
Flash exposure control Flash unit connection Via accessory shoe with center and control contacts.
Synchronization Optional synchronization on first or second shutter curtain.
Flash sync speed = 1/180 s; longer shutter speeds possible.
Flash exposure metering (with SCA-3501/3502 adapter or SCA-3000 standard flash unit, e.g. Leica SF 24D/Leica SF 58). Control with centerweighted TTL-pre-flash metering.
Flash measurement cell 2 silicon photo diodes with condensing lens in camera base.
Flash exposure compensation ±3 1/3 EV in 1/3 EV steps adjustable on the SCA-3501/3502 adapter. On Leica SF 24D, ±3 EV in 1/3 EV- steps with
computer control, or from 0 to –3 EV in 1 EV-steps/on Leica SF 58 adjustable in all modes ±3 EV in 1/3 EV-steps.
Displays in flash mode Flash readiness: flash symbol LED in viewfinder constant. Correct flash exposure: LED constant or flashes rapidly after exposure. Underexposure: LED extinguished after exposure.
Viewfinder
Viewfinder principle Large, bright-line frame viewfinder with automatic parallax compensation.
Eyepiece Adjusted to -0.5 dpt. Correction lenses from -3 to +3 dpt. available.
Image framing By activating two bright-line frames: For 35 and 135 mm, 28 and 90 mm, or for 50 and 75 mm. Automatic activation when lens is attached. Any pair of bright-line frames can be activated using the image field selector.
Parallax compensation The horizontal and vertical difference between the viewfinder and the lens is automatically compensated according to the relevant distance setting, i.e. the viewfinder bright-line automatically aligns with the subject detail recorded by the lens.
Matching of viewfinder and actual picture
The size of the bright-line frame corresponds exactly to the sensor size of approx. 23.9 x 35.8 mm at a setting distance of 1 meter. At infinity setting, depending on the focal length, approx. 7.3 % (28 mm) to 18 % (135 mm) more is recorded by the sensor than indicated by the corresponding bright-line frame and slightly less for distances shorter than 1m.
Enlargement (for all lenses) 0.68x.
Large basis rangefinder Split or superimposed image range finder shown as a bright field in the center of the viewfinder image.
Effective rangefinder base 47.1 mm (actual rangefinder base 69.25 mm x viewfinder enlargement 0.68x).
Displays
Viewfinder (lower edge) LED symbol for flash status. Four-digit seven-segment digital display with dots above and below, display brightness adjusted for ambient brightness, for: Warning of exposure compensation, display for automatically generated shutter
speeds in aperture priority mode, indication of use of metering memory lock, warning that the metering or setting ranges are over- or underexposed using aperture priority and counting down exposures longer than 2s.
LED light balance with two triangular and one central circular LED for manual exposure setting. The triangular LEDs give the direction of rotation of the aperture setting ring and shutter speed setting dial to adjust the exposure. Also as warning for over- or underexposure.
On rear panel 2,5” monitor (color TFT LCD) with 230,000 pixels.
Shutter and release Shutter Microprocessor-controlled, exceptionally low-noise metal blade shutter with vertical movement.
Shutter speeds For aperture priority (A) continuously adjustable from 32 s to 1/4000 s. For manual setting 8 s to 1/4000 s in half steps, B for long exposures of any duration (in conjunction with self timer T function, i. e. 1st release = shutter opens, 2nd release
= shutter closes), (1/180 s) fastest shutter speed for flash synchronization.
Shutter cocking Using low-noise integral motor, optionally after releasing the shutter release button.
Series exposures Approx. 2 pictures/s, ≤ 8 pictures in series.
Shutter release Three levels: Exposure metering on – Metering memory lock (in aperture priority mode) – Shutter release. Integrated standard cable release thread.
Self timer Delay optionally 2 (aperture priority and manual exposure setting) or 12 s (menu setting), indicated by flashing LED on front of camera and corresponding display on the monitor.
Switching the camera on/off Using the main switch on the camera’s top panel, selectable automatic power-off for camera electronics after about 2/5/10 minutes, reactivation by pressing the shutter release button.
Power supply 1 lithium ion battery, nominal voltage 3.7 V, capacity 1900 mAh. Capacity display in monitor, when shutter held open (for sensor cleaning) additional acoustic warning when capacity is low.
Charger Inputs: 100–240 V AC, 50/60Hz, automatic switching, or 12/24 V DC; Output: 4.2V DC, 800 mA.
Camera housing Material All-metal die cast magnesium body, KTL dip painted, synthetic leather covering. Top deck and baseplate in brass, black, or steel-grey paint finish.
Image field selector Allows the bright-line pairs to be manually displayed at any time (e. g. for framing comparisons).
Tripod thread Stainless steel, A 1/4 (1/4’’) DIN, in baseplate.
Operating conditions 0 to +40°C
Interface 5-pin mini-USB 2.0 High-Speed socket for fast data transfer.
Dimensions (Width x Depth x Height) approx. 139 x 37 x 80 mm (5 1/2 x 11/2 x 3 1/6 in.).
Weight 585 g (19.8 oz) (with battery).
Included extras Charger 100–240 V with 2 mains cables (EU, USA, different in some export markets) and 1 car charger, lithium ion battery,
USB cable, carrying strap.