Leica M9 ISO Test at Focus Numerique

Leica has described the M9 as having about a stop better noise performance than the M8 at high ISO. Focus Numerique has an ISO series, along with the DNG files for download (link).

Those of us who have not used the M8 and are used to today's Canon and Nikon cameras will likely find the M9 high ISO performance wanting (especially for 35mm full frame). Factors which ameliorate this: 1) The M9 has no mirror slap (and thus suffers less handshake blur); 2) Leica offers a lot of amazing, fast glass; 3) everything worth shooting can be shot at ISO 640 and below [oops, someone must have snuck in here and typed that last one].

Still, if you are trying hard to find a reason not to drop $6K on this camera (plus $$$ for lenses), consider taking a peek at the ISO 1600 and ISO 2500 files.

Or, if you want to support this blog (big time), you can pre-order one of the new Leicas from Amazon today

Source: Focus Numerique via 1001 Noisy Cameras