Leica M9-P has a
18.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CCD sensor . On the other hand, Leica M Typ 240 has a
24.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor .
Leica M Typ 240's sensor provides 6MP more than Leica M9-P's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Another difference between these two cameras is that Leica M9-P's sensor lacks anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the M9-P and M Typ 240 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Leica M9-P and Leica M Typ 240 Cameras
Leica M9-P and Leica M Typ 240 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Leica M9-P has 30% larger pixel area compared to Leica M Typ 240, it has potential to collect more light on pixel level hence have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Leica M9-P and Leica M Typ 240 sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that M Typ 240 has a better overall score of 84, 16 points higher compared to M9-P's score of 68.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Leica M9-P
68
22.5 bits
11.6 Evs
854 ISO
Leica M Typ 240
84
24.0 bits
13.3 Evs
1860 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Leica M9-P
or the
Leica M Typ 240 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
