Canon R6 vs Leica M Typ 240

The Canon EOS R6 and the Leica M (Typ 240) are two enthusiast cameras that were announced, respectively, in July 2020 and September 2012. The Canon R6 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the M Typ 240 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless. Both cameras are equipped with a full frame sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 20 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 R6		Leica M Typ 240
Mirrorless system camera		Rangefinder camera
Canon RF mount lenses		Leica M mount lenses
20 MP, Full Frame Sensor		23.7 MP, Full Frame Sensor
4k/60p Video		1080/25p Video
ISO 100-102,400 (50 - 204,800)		ISO 200-6,400
Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)		Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 1620k dots		3.0 LCD, 920k dots
Swivel touchscreen		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
12 shutter flaps per second		3 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		no shake reduction
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
138 x 98 x 88 mm, 680 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 R6 and the Leica M (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 physical size and weight of the Canon R6 and the Leica M Typ 240 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. 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 M Typ 240 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the Canon R6 is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica M Typ 240 is notably smaller (18 percent) than the Canon R6. In terms of weight, the two cameras are very close. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

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 power pack in the Canon R6 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

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 R6	138 mm	98 mm	88 mm	680 g	360	Y	Jul 2020	2,499
2.		Leica M Typ 240	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Sep 2012	6,950
3.		Canon R5	138 mm	98 mm	88 mm	738 g	320	Y	Jul 2020	3,899
4.		Canon R	139 mm	98 mm	84 mm	660 g	370	Y	Sep 2018	2,299
5.		Canon 6D	145 mm	111 mm	71 mm	770 g	1090	Y	Sep 2012	2,099
6.		Leica M10	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Jan 2017	6,595
7.		Leica M Typ 262	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Nov 2015	5,195
8.		Leica SL	147 mm	104 mm	39 mm	847 g	400	Y	Oct 2015	7,450
9.		Leica M9	139 mm	80 mm	37 mm	585 g	..	n	Sep 2009	7,999
10.		Nikon D7100	136 mm	107 mm	76 mm	765 g	950	Y	Feb 2013	1,199
11.		Olympus E-M1 III	134 mm	91 mm	69 mm	580 g	420	Y	Feb 2020	1,799
12.		Olympus E-M1X	144 mm	147 mm	75 mm	997 g	870	Y	Jan 2019	2,999
13.		Panasonic S1	149 mm	110 mm	97 mm	1017 g	400	Y	Feb 2019	2,499
14.		Panasonic G90	130 mm	94 mm	77 mm	536 g	290	Y	Apr 2019	999
15.		Sony A9 II	129 mm	96 mm	76 mm	678 g	690	Y	Oct 2019	4,499
16.		Sony A6600	120 mm	67 mm	69 mm	503 g	810	Y	Aug 2019	1,399
17.		Sony A99	147 mm	111 mm	78 mm	812 g	500	Y	Sep 2012	2,799
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Canon R6 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 64 percent) than the M Typ 240, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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 size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a full frame sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the M Typ 240 is 1 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the M Typ 240 offers a higher resolution of 23.7 megapixels, compared with 20 MP of the Canon R6. 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 6.01μm versus 6.57μm for the Canon R6). Moreover, it should be noted that the Canon R6 is much more recent (by 7 years and 9 months) than the M Typ 240, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.

The resolution advantage of the Leica M Typ 240 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the M Typ 240 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 29.8 x 19.9 inches or 75.6 x 50.5 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 23.8 x 15.9 inches or 60.5 x 40.4 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 19.8 x 13.3 inches or 50.4 x 33.7 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon R6 are 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm for good quality, 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm for very good quality, and 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon R6 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Canon EOS R6 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 102400, which can be extended to ISO 50-204800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica M (Typ 240) are ISO 200 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-6400.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. 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"). Of the two cameras under review, the Canon R6 has a notably higher overall DXO score than the M Typ 240 (overall score 6 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 0.2 bits higher color depth, 1 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.9 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon R6	Full Frame	20.0	5472	3648	4k/60p	24.2	14.3	3394	90
2.		Leica M Typ 240	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	1080/25p	24.0	13.3	1860	84
3.		Canon R5	Full Frame	44.8	8192	5464	8k/30p	25.3	14.6	3042	95
4.		Canon R	Full Frame	30.1	6720	4480	4K/30p	24.5	13.5	2742	89
5.		Canon 6D	Full Frame	20.0	5472	3648	1080/30p	23.8	12.1	2340	82
6.		Leica M10	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	24.4	13.2	2133	86
7.		Leica M Typ 262	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	none	..	..	..	..
8.		Leica SL	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	13.4	1821	88
9.		Leica M9	Full Frame	18.1	5212	3472	none	22.5	11.7	884	69
10.		Nikon D7100	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.2	13.7	1256	83
11.		Olympus E-M1 III	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
12.		Olympus E-M1X	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
13.		Panasonic S1	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	25.2	14.5	3333	95
14.		Panasonic G90	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
15.		Sony A9 II	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	14.0	3434	93
16.		Sony A6600	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	23.8	13.4	1497	82
17.		Sony A99	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	25.0	14.0	1555	89

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the Canon R6 provides a higher video resolution than the M Typ 240. It can shoot video footage at 4k/60p, while the Leica is limited to 1080/25p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the Canon R6 has an electronic viewfinder (3690k dots), while the M 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 viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the Canon R6 has a higher magnification than the one of the M Typ 240 (0.76x vs 0.68x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon R6, the Leica M Typ 240, and comparable cameras.

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 R6	3690	n	3.0	1620	swivel	Y	1/8000s	12.0	n	Y
2.		Leica M Typ 240	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
3.		Canon R5	5760	Y	3.2	2100	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
4.		Canon R	3690	Y	3.2	2100	swivel	Y	1/8000s	8.0	n	n
5.		Canon 6D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	4.5	n	n
6.		Leica M10	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
7.		Leica M Typ 262	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
8.		Leica SL	4400	Y	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/8000s	11.0	n	n
9.		Leica M9	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.0	n	n
10.		Nikon D7100	optical	Y	3.2	1229	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0	Y	n
11.		Olympus E-M1 III	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	18.0	n	Y
12.		Olympus E-M1X	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	18.0	n	Y
13.		Panasonic S1	5760	Y	3.2	2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
14.		Panasonic G90	2360	n	3.0	1240	swivel	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	Y
15.		Sony A9 II	3686	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
16.		Sony A6600	2359	n	3.0	922	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0	n	Y
17.		Sony A99	2359	Y	3.0	1229	full-flex	n	1/8000s	6.0	n	Y

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The Canon R6 has a touchscreen, while the M Typ 240 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

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 Canon R6 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 R6 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 Canon R6 and the M Typ 240 write their files to SDXC cards. The Canon R6 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the M Typ 240 only has one slot. The Canon R6 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the M Typ 240 can use UHS-I cards (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 R6 and Leica M (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 R6	Y	mono	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
2.		Leica M Typ 240	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon R5	Y	mono	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon R	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.1	Y	-	Y
5.		Canon 6D	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
6.		Leica M10	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
7.		Leica M Typ 262	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Leica SL	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.0	Y	-	-
9.		Leica M9	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Nikon D7100	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Olympus E-M1 III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
12.		Olympus E-M1X	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
13.		Panasonic S1	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
14.		Panasonic G90	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
15.		Sony A9 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	Y	Y
16.		Sony A6600	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	YES	2.0	Y	Y	Y
17.		Sony A99	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	-	-	-

It is notable that the Canon R6 has a microphone port, which is missing on the M Typ 240. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

The Canon R6 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the M Typ 240 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the M Typ 240 was succeeded by the Leica M Typ 262. 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? Which of the two cameras – the Canon R6 or the Leica M Typ 240 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS R6:

• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (6 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
• More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (1 EV of extra DR).
• Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.9 stops ISO advantage).
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4k/60p 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.
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.76x vs 0.68x).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1620k 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 shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (12 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.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 2.0).
• 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.
• Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (64 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 7 years and 9 months of technical progress since the M Typ 240 launch.

Reasons to prefer the Leica M (Typ 240):

• More detail: Has more megapixels (23.7 vs 20MP), which boosts linear resolution by 9%.
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• More compact: Is smaller (139x80mm vs 138x98mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in September 2012).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the Canon R6 is the clear winner of the match-up (26 : 5 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the Canon R6 and the M Typ 240 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular 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 R6	5/5	+ +	90/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2020	2,499
2.		Leica M Typ 240	4/5	..	..	4/5	..	Sep 2012	6,950
3.		Canon R5	4.5/5	..	91/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2020	3,899
4.		Canon R	4/5	o	79/100	4.5/5	4/5	Sep 2018	2,299
5.		Canon 6D	5/5	+ +	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	2,099
6.		Leica M10	4.5/5	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	6,595
7.		Leica M Typ 262	..	..	..	..	..	Nov 2015	5,195
8.		Leica SL	4/5	..	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Oct 2015	7,450
9.		Leica M9	..	..	..	4.5/5	..	Sep 2009	7,999
10.		Nikon D7100	5/5	+ +	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2013	1,199
11.		Olympus E-M1 III	5/5	..	83/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2020	1,799
12.		Olympus E-M1X	4.5/5	o	..	4.5/5	..	Jan 2019	2,999
13.		Panasonic S1	4.5/5	+ +	88/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2019	2,499
14.		Panasonic G90	4.5/5	+	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2019	999
15.		Sony A9 II	..	..	90/100	5/5	5/5	Oct 2019	4,499
16.		Sony A6600	4/5	+	83/100	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2019	1,399
17.		Sony A99	5/5	..	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	2,799
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

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Specifications: Canon R6 vs Leica M 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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