Leica M-E Typ 240 vs SL2-S

The Leica M-E (Typ 240) and the Leica SL2-S are two enthusiast cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in June 2019 and December 2020. The M-E Typ 240 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless, while the SL2-S is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with a full frame sensor. The M-E Typ 240 has a resolution of 23.7 megapixels, whereas the SL2-S provides 24 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Leica M-E Typ 240		Leica SL2-S
Rangefinder camera		Mirrorless system camera
Leica M mount lenses		Leica L mount lenses
23.7 MP, Full Frame Sensor		24 MP, Full Frame Sensor
1080/25p Video		4K/60p Video
ISO 200-6,400		ISO 100-50,000 (50 - 100,000)
Optical viewfinder		Electronic viewfinder (5760k dots)
3.0 LCD, 920k dots		3.2 LCD, 2100k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed touchscreen
3 shutter flaps per second		20 shutter flaps per second
no shake reduction		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
139 x 80 x 42 mm, 680 g		146 x 107 x 83 mm, 931 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica M-E (Typ 240) and the Leica SL2-S? 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 Leica M-E Typ 240 and the Leica SL2-S 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.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica SL2-S is notably larger (40 percent) than the Leica M-E Typ 240. Moreover, the SL2-S is substantially heavier (37 percent) than the M-E Typ 240. 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 SL2-S can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Leica M-E Typ 240	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Jun 2019	3,999
2.		Leica SL2-S	146 mm	107 mm	83 mm	931 g	510	Y	Dec 2020	4,895
3.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	161 mm	97 mm	66 mm	775 g	400	Y	Sep 2018	4,499
4.		Leica M10-R	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Jul 2020	8,295
5.		Leica SL2	146 mm	107 mm	42 mm	953 g	370	Y	Nov 2019	5,999
6.		Leica Q2	130 mm	80 mm	92 mm	718 g	370	Y	Mar 2019	4,995
7.		Leica V-LUX 5	136 mm	97 mm	131 mm	812 g	350	n	Jul 2019	1,249
8.		Leica M10-P	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Aug 2018	7,995
9.		Leica M10	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Jan 2017	6,595
10.		Leica M Typ 262	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Nov 2015	5,195
11.		Leica Q Typ 116	130 mm	80 mm	93 mm	640 g	300	n	Jun 2015	4,249
12.		Leica SL	147 mm	104 mm	39 mm	847 g	400	Y	Oct 2015	7,450
13.		Leica M Typ 240	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Sep 2012	6,950
14.		Olympus E-M1X	144 mm	147 mm	75 mm	997 g	870	Y	Jan 2019	2,999
15.		Panasonic S1	149 mm	110 mm	97 mm	1017 g	400	Y	Feb 2019	2,499
16.		Panasonic S1H	151 mm	114 mm	110 mm	1052 g	400	Y	May 2019	3,999
17.		Sony A9 II	129 mm	96 mm	76 mm	678 g	690	Y	Oct 2019	4,499
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 manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The M-E Typ 240 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 18 percent) than the SL2-S, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. 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 size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units 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.

Both cameras under consideration feature a full frame sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the SL2-S is 1 percent bigger. 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.

With 24MP, the SL2-S offers a higher resolution than the M-E Typ 240 (23.7MP), but the SL2-S has marginally smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.00μm versus 6.01μm for the M-E Typ 240). Yet, the SL2-S is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 5 months) than the M-E Typ 240, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the SL2-S has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

Unlike the M-E Typ 240, the SL2-S has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (96MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Leica M-E (Typ 240) has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica SL2-S are ISO 100 to ISO 50000, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-100000.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. 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.		Leica M-E Typ 240	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	1080/25p	..	..	..	..
2.		Leica SL2-S	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
3.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	Medium Format	51.1	8256	6192	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
4.		Leica M10-R	Full Frame	40.9	7864	5200	none	..	..	..	..
5.		Leica SL2	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
6.		Leica Q2	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/30p	26.4	13.5	2491	96
7.		Leica V-LUX 5	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
8.		Leica M10-P	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	..	..	..	..
9.		Leica M10	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	24.4	13.2	2133	86
10.		Leica M Typ 262	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	none	..	..	..	..
11.		Leica Q Typ 116	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.3	12.7	2221	85
12.		Leica SL	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	13.4	1821	88
13.		Leica M Typ 240	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	1080/25p	24.0	13.3	1860	84
14.		Olympus E-M1X	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
15.		Panasonic S1	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	25.2	14.5	3333	95
16.		Panasonic S1H	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	6K/30p	..	..	..	..
17.		Sony A9 II	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	14.0	3434	93

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the SL2-S provides a better video resolution than the M-E Typ 240. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/60p, while the M-E Typ 240 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 SL2-S has an electronic viewfinder (5760k 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 viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the SL2-S has a higher magnification than the one of the M-E Typ 240 (0.78x vs 0.68x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Leica M-E Typ 240 and Leica SL2-S 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.		Leica M-E Typ 240	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
2.		Leica SL2-S	5760	Y	3.2	2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	20.0	n	Y
3.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	3690	n	3.2	2360	tilting	Y	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
4.		Leica M10-R	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.5	n	n
5.		Leica SL2	5760	Y	3.2	2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
6.		Leica Q2	3680	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	20.0	n	Y
7.		Leica V-LUX 5	2360	n	3.0	1240	swivel	Y	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
8.		Leica M10-P	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
9.		Leica M10	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
10.		Leica M Typ 262	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
11.		Leica Q Typ 116	3680	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0	n	Y
12.		Leica SL	4400	Y	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/8000s	11.0	n	n
13.		Leica M Typ 240	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
14.		Olympus E-M1X	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	18.0	n	Y
15.		Panasonic S1	5760	Y	3.2	2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
16.		Panasonic S1H	5760	Y	3.2	2330	swivel	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
17.		Sony A9 II	3686	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The SL2-S has a touchscreen, while the M-E 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 SL2-S 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 Leica SL2-S 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 M-E Typ 240 and the SL2-S write their files to SDXC cards. The SL2-S features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the M-E Typ 240 only has one slot. The SL2-S supports UHS-II cards (on both slots), while the M-E Typ 240 can use UHS-I cards.

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 Leica M-E (Typ 240) and Leica SL2-S 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.		Leica M-E Typ 240	Y	mono	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Leica SL2-S	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
3.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
4.		Leica M10-R	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
5.		Leica SL2	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
6.		Leica Q2	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	-	Y	-	Y
7.		Leica V-LUX 5	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
8.		Leica M10-P	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
9.		Leica M10	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
10.		Leica M Typ 262	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Leica Q Typ 116	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
12.		Leica SL	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.0	Y	-	-
13.		Leica M Typ 240	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Olympus E-M1X	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
15.		Panasonic S1	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
16.		Panasonic S1H	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
17.		Sony A9 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	Y	Y

It is notable that the SL2-S offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the M-E Typ 240 does not provide wifi capability.

Both the M-E Typ 240 and the SL2-S are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. Neither of the two has a direct predecessor, so perhaps they will constitute the origins of new camera lines for Leica. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Leica website.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Leica M-E Typ 240 or the Leica SL2-S – 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 Leica M-E (Typ 240):

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• More compact: Is smaller (139x80mm vs 146x107mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 251g or 27 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (18 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in June 2019).

Advantages of the Leica SL2-S:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/60p vs 1080/25p).
• 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 (0.78x vs 0.68x).
• Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2100k vs 920k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (20 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 stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• 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 modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 5 months) more recently.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the SL2-S is the clear winner of the contest (24 : 6 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 M-E Typ 240 and the SL2-S 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 table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear 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.		Leica M-E Typ 240	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2019	3,999
2.		Leica SL2-S	4/5	..	..	..	4.5/5	Dec 2020	4,895
3.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	5/5	..	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2018	4,499
4.		Leica M10-R	4.5/5	..	..	..	4/5	Jul 2020	8,295
5.		Leica SL2	4/5	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Nov 2019	5,999
6.		Leica Q2	..	..	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Mar 2019	4,995
7.		Leica V-LUX 5	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2019	1,249
8.		Leica M10-P	..	..	..	..	4/5	Aug 2018	7,995
9.		Leica M10	4.5/5	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	6,595
10.		Leica M Typ 262	..	..	..	..	..	Nov 2015	5,195
11.		Leica Q Typ 116	5/5	..	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2015	4,249
12.		Leica SL	4/5	..	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Oct 2015	7,450
13.		Leica M Typ 240	4/5	..	..	4/5	..	Sep 2012	6,950
14.		Olympus E-M1X	4.5/5	o	..	4.5/5	..	Jan 2019	2,999
15.		Panasonic S1	4.5/5	+ +	88/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2019	2,499
16.		Panasonic S1H	..	..	90/100	..	..	May 2019	3,999
17.		Sony A9 II	..	..	90/100	5/5	5/5	Oct 2019	4,499
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. 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. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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 your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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Specifications: Leica M-E Typ 240 vs Leica SL2-S

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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