Canon M50 Mark II vs Leica M-E Typ 240

The Canon EOS M50 Mark II and the Leica M-E (Typ 240) are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in October 2020 and June 2019. The M50 Mark II is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the M-E Typ 240 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless. The cameras are based on an APS-C (M50 Mark II) and a full frame (M-E Typ 240) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Leica provides 23.7 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon M50 Mark II		Leica M-E Typ 240
Mirrorless system camera		Rangefinder camera
Canon EF-M mount lenses		Leica M mount lenses
24 MP, APS-C Sensor		23.7 MP, Full Frame Sensor
4K/24p Video		1080/25p Video
ISO 100-25,600 (100 - 51,200)		ISO 200-6,400
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)		Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		3.0 LCD, 920k dots
Swivel touchscreen		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
10 shutter flaps per second		3 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
116 x 88 x 59 mm, 387 g		139 x 80 x 42 mm, 680 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS M50 Mark II and the Leica M-E (Typ 240)? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon M50 Mark II and the Leica M-E Typ 240. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The M50 Mark II can be obtained in two different colors (black, white), while the M-E Typ 240 is only available in silver.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica M-E Typ 240 is notably larger (9 percent) than the Canon M50 Mark II. Moreover, the M-E Typ 240 is substantially heavier (76 percent) than the M50 Mark II. It is noteworthy in this context that the M-E Typ 240 is splash and dust-proof, while the M50 Mark II does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon M50 Mark II	116 mm	88 mm	59 mm	387 g	305	n	Oct 2020	599
2.		Leica M-E Typ 240	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Jun 2019	3,999
3.		Canon M200	108 mm	67 mm	35 mm	299 g	315	n	Sep 2019	549
4.		Canon SL3	122 mm	93 mm	70 mm	449 g	1070	n	Apr 2019	599
5.		Canon G5 X Mark II	111 mm	61 mm	46 mm	340 g	230	n	Jul 2019	899
6.		Canon M6 Mark II	120 mm	70 mm	49 mm	408 g	305	n	Aug 2019	849
7.		Canon M50	116 mm	88 mm	59 mm	390 g	235	n	Feb 2018	779
8.		Canon M6	112 mm	68 mm	45 mm	390 g	295	n	Feb 2017	779
9.		Canon M100	108 mm	67 mm	35 mm	302 g	295	n	Aug 2017	499
10.		Canon SL2	122 mm	93 mm	70 mm	453 g	650	n	Jun 2017	549
11.		Canon M5	116 mm	89 mm	61 mm	427 g	295	n	Sep 2016	979
12.		Canon M3	111 mm	68 mm	44 mm	366 g	250	n	Feb 2015	679
13.		Leica M10-R	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Jul 2020	8,295
14.		Leica M10-P	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Aug 2018	7,995
15.		Leica M10	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Jan 2017	6,595
16.		Leica M Typ 262	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Nov 2015	5,195
17.		Leica M Typ 240	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Sep 2012	6,950
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The M50 Mark II was launched at a markedly lower price (by 85 percent) than the M-E Typ 240, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon M50 Mark II features an APS-C sensor and the Leica M-E Typ 240 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the M-E Typ 240 is 158 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon M50 Mark II offers a higher resolution of 24 megapixels, compared with 23.7 MP of the Leica M-E Typ 240. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.72μm versus 6.01μm for the M-E Typ 240). However, it should be noted that the M50 Mark II is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 3 months) than the M-E Typ 240, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that partly offset its pixel-size disadvantage.

The M50 Mark II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Canon EOS M50 Mark II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica M-E (Typ 240) are ISO 200 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-6400.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon M50 Mark II	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/24p	..	..	..	..
2.		Leica M-E Typ 240	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	1080/25p	..	..	..	..
3.		Canon M200	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4k/25p	..	..	..	..
4.		Canon SL3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/25p	..	..	..	..
5.		Canon G5 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
6.		Canon M6 Mark II	APS-C	32.3	6960	4640	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
7.		Canon M50	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/24p	..	..	..	..
8.		Canon M6	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
9.		Canon M100	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.5	12.9	1272	78
10.		Canon SL2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.4	1041	79
11.		Canon M5	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.4	12.4	1262	77
12.		Canon M3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.8	11.8	1169	72
13.		Leica M10-R	Full Frame	40.9	7864	5200	none	..	..	..	..
14.		Leica M10-P	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	..	..	..	..
15.		Leica M10	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	24.4	13.2	2133	86
16.		Leica M Typ 262	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	none	..	..	..	..
17.		Leica M Typ 240	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	1080/25p	24.0	13.3	1860	84

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the M50 Mark II provides a higher video resolution than the M-E Typ 240. It can shoot video footage at 4K/24p, while the Leica is limited to 1080/25p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the M50 Mark II has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the M-E Typ 240 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon M50 Mark II and Leica M-E Typ 240 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon M50 Mark II	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	10.0	Y	n
2.		Leica M-E Typ 240	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
3.		Canon M200	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.1	Y	n
4.		Canon SL3	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
5.		Canon G5 X Mark II	2360	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	30	Y	Y
6.		Canon M6 Mark II	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	14.0	Y	n
7.		Canon M50	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	10.0	Y	n
8.		Canon M6	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	n
9.		Canon M100	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.1	Y	n
10.		Canon SL2	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
11.		Canon M5	2360	n	3.2	1620	tilting	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	n
12.		Canon M3	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	4.2	Y	n
13.		Leica M10-R	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.5	n	n
14.		Leica M10-P	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
15.		Leica M10	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
16.		Leica M Typ 262	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
17.		Leica M Typ 240	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The M50 Mark II has one, while the M-E Typ 240 does not. While the built-in flash of the M50 Mark II is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the M50 Mark II is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Canon M50 Mark II has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the M50 Mark II and the M-E Typ 240 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS M50 Mark II and Leica M-E (Typ 240) and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon M50 Mark II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
2.		Leica M-E Typ 240	Y	mono	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon M200	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon SL3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
5.		Canon G5 X Mark II	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
6.		Canon M6 Mark II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
7.		Canon M50	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
8.		Canon M6	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
9.		Canon M100	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
10.		Canon SL2	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
11.		Canon M5	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
12.		Canon M3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
13.		Leica M10-R	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
14.		Leica M10-P	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
15.		Leica M10	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
16.		Leica M Typ 262	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Leica M Typ 240	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-

It is notable that the M50 Mark II has a microphone port, which is missing on the M-E Typ 240. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Both the M50 Mark II and the M-E Typ 240 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The M50 Mark II replaced the earlier Canon M50, while the M-E Typ 240 does not have a direct predecessor. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Leica websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Canon M50 Mark II better than the Leica M-E Typ 240 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS M50 Mark II:

• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/24p vs 1080/25p).
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 920k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 293g or 43 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (85 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 3 months after the M-E Typ 240).

Advantages of the Leica M-E (Typ 240):

• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in June 2019).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the M50 Mark II is the clear winner of the match-up (17 : 8 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the M50 Mark II and the M-E Typ 240 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon M50 Mark II	..	..	..	4.5/5	3.5/5	Oct 2020	599
2.		Leica M-E Typ 240	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2019	3,999
3.		Canon M200	..	+	79/100	4/5	4/5	Sep 2019	549
4.		Canon SL3	..	o	79/100	4/5	4/5	Apr 2019	599
5.		Canon G5 X Mark II	4/5	+	82/100	..	4/5	Jul 2019	899
6.		Canon M6 Mark II	..	+	85/100	4/5	4/5	Aug 2019	849
7.		Canon M50	..	+	79/100	..	3.5/5	Feb 2018	779
8.		Canon M6	..	..	80/100	4/5	4/5	Feb 2017	779
9.		Canon M100	3/5	+	..	4/5	3.5/5	Aug 2017	499
10.		Canon SL2	4/5	+ +	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2017	549
11.		Canon M5	4/5	+	82/100	4/5	4/5	Sep 2016	979
12.		Canon M3	4/5	o	75/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2015	679
13.		Leica M10-R	4.5/5	..	..	..	4/5	Jul 2020	8,295
14.		Leica M10-P	..	..	..	..	4/5	Aug 2018	7,995
15.		Leica M10	4.5/5	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	6,595
16.		Leica M Typ 262	..	..	..	..	..	Nov 2015	5,195
17.		Leica M Typ 240	4/5	..	..	4/5	..	Sep 2012	6,950
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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Specifications: Canon M50 Mark II vs Leica M-E Typ 240

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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