Leica M Typ 240 Comparison Review
The Leica M (Typ 240) is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera that was revealed to the public in September 2012 and is equipped with a full frame sensor. It offers a resolution of 23.7 megapixel.
Is the Leica M Typ 240 a good camera? The M Typ 240 has a Camera Elo of 1722. This rating puts the M Typ 240 below average of all rangefinder cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (full frame cameras), the M Typ 240 also ranks below average. – Well, the Leica M Typ 240 is more than 8 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2012.
Leica M Typ 240 |
---|
Rangefinder camera |
Leica M mount lenses |
23.7 MP, Full Frame Sensor |
1080/25p Video |
ISO 200 - 6 400 |
Optical viewfinder |
3.0 LCD, 920k dots |
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) |
3 shutter flaps per second |
Weathersealed body |
139 x 80 x 42 mm, 680 g |
Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.
Body comparison with a credit card
The physical dimensions of the Leica M Typ 240 relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.



The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Leica M Typ 240 alongside a set of comparators. If you want to review a camera pair side-by-side, just select a right-side comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) | Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leica M Typ 240 | 5.5 in | 3.1 in | 1.7 in | 24.0 oz | .. | Y | Sep 2012 | 6,950 | ||
Canon 6D Mark II | 5.7 in | 4.4 in | 3.0 in | 27.0 oz | 1200 | Y | Jun 2017 | 1,999 | ||
Canon 1D X Mark II | 6.2 in | 6.6 in | 3.3 in | 54.0 oz | 1210 | Y | Feb 2016 | 5,999 | ||
Canon 6D | 5.7 in | 4.4 in | 2.8 in | 27.2 oz | 1090 | Y | Sep 2012 | 2,099 | ||
Leica M10-R | 5.5 in | 3.1 in | 1.5 in | 23.3 oz | 210 | Y | Jul 2020 | 8,295 | ||
Leica M-E Typ 240 | 5.5 in | 3.1 in | 1.7 in | 24.0 oz | .. | Y | Jun 2019 | 3,999 | ||
Leica M10-P | 5.5 in | 3.1 in | 1.5 in | 23.3 oz | 210 | Y | Aug 2018 | 7,995 | ||
Leica M10 | 5.5 in | 3.1 in | 1.5 in | 23.3 oz | 210 | Y | Jan 2017 | 6,595 | ||
Leica M Typ 262 | 5.5 in | 3.1 in | 1.7 in | 24.0 oz | .. | Y | Nov 2015 | 5,195 | ||
Leica SL | 5.8 in | 4.1 in | 1.5 in | 29.9 oz | 400 | Y | Oct 2015 | 7,450 | ||
Leica M9 | 5.5 in | 3.1 in | 1.5 in | 20.6 oz | .. | n | Sep 2009 | 7,999 | ||
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | ||||||||||
The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Leica M Typ 240 was launched in the US market at a price of $6,950. 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.
check offers at ebay
Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide
The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants 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 tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.
The Leica M Typ 240 features a full frame sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.0. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Leica M Typ 240 among the large-sensor cameras that aim for top notch image quality.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports | DXO Overall |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leica M Typ 240 | Full Frame | 23.7 | 5952 | 3976 | 1080/25p | 24.0 | 13.3 | 1860 | 84 | |
Canon 6D Mark II | Full Frame | 26.0 | 6240 | 4160 | 1080/60p | 24.4 | 11.9 | 2862 | 85 | |
Canon 1D X Mark II | Full Frame | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/60p | 24.1 | 13.5 | 3207 | 88 | |
Canon 6D | Full Frame | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/30p | 23.8 | 12.1 | 2340 | 82 | |
Leica M10-R | Full Frame | 40.9 | 7864 | 5200 | none | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Leica M-E Typ 240 | Full Frame | 23.7 | 5952 | 3976 | 1080/25p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Leica M10-P | Full Frame | 23.8 | 5952 | 3992 | none | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Leica M10 | Full Frame | 23.8 | 5952 | 3992 | none | 24.4 | 13.2 | 2133 | 86 | |
Leica M Typ 262 | Full Frame | 23.7 | 5952 | 3976 | none | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Leica SL | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 25.0 | 13.4 | 1821 | 88 | |
Leica M9 | Full Frame | 18.1 | 5212 | 3472 | none | 22.5 | 11.7 | 884 | 69 |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The M Typ 240 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the M Typ 240 can use is 1080/25p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the M Typ 240 has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.68x. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Leica M Typ 240 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.
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 |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leica M Typ 240 | optical | n | 3.0 | 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0 | n | n | |
Canon 6D Mark II | optical | Y | 3.0 | 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 6.5 | n | n | |
Canon 1D X Mark II | optical | Y | 3.2 | 1620 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 16.0 | n | n | |
Canon 6D | optical | Y | 3.0 | 1040 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 4.5 | n | n | |
Leica M10-R | optical | n | 3.0 | 1037 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 4.5 | n | n | |
Leica M-E Typ 240 | optical | n | 3.0 | 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0 | n | n | |
Leica M10-P | optical | n | 3.0 | 1037 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0 | n | n | |
Leica M10 | optical | n | 3.0 | 1037 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 5.0 | n | n | |
Leica M Typ 262 | optical | n | 3.0 | 921 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0 | n | n | |
Leica SL | 4400 | Y | 3.0 | 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 11.0 | n | n | |
Leica M9 | optical | n | 2.5 | 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.0 | n | n |
Connection 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 (Typ 240) and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Microphone |
Internal Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support | NFC Support | Bluetooth Support |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leica M Typ 240 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Canon 6D Mark II | Y | stereo | mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
Canon 1D X Mark II | Y | mono | mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.0 | - | - | - | |
Canon 6D | Y | mono | mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
Leica M10-R | Y | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | |
Leica M-E Typ 240 | Y | mono | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Leica M10-P | Y | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | |
Leica M10 | Y | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | |
Leica M Typ 262 | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Leica SL | Y | stereo | mono | Y | Y | full | 3.0 | Y | - | - | |
Leica M9 | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - |
Expert reviews
While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of 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. This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog).
Camera Model |
camera labs |
dp review |
ephoto zine |
imaging resource |
photography blog |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leica M Typ 240 | .. | .. | 4/5 | .. | .. | Sep 2012 | 6,950 | ||
Canon 6D Mark II | + | 80/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2017 | 1,999 | ||
Canon 1D X Mark II | .. | 89/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2016 | 5,999 | ||
Canon 6D | + + | 83/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2012 | 2,099 | ||
Leica M10-R | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | Jul 2020 | 8,295 | ||
Leica M-E Typ 240 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jun 2019 | 3,999 | ||
Leica M10-P | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | Aug 2018 | 7,995 | ||
Leica M10 | .. | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | Jan 2017 | 6,595 | ||
Leica M Typ 262 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Nov 2015 | 5,195 | ||
Leica SL | .. | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Oct 2015 | 7,450 | ||
Leica M9 | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | .. | Sep 2009 | 7,999 | ||
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, 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.
Leica M Typ 240 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the M Typ 240.
What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the M Typ 240?
The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the M Typ 240?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-6400.
What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Leica M (Typ 240)?
Leica does not publish a shutter rating for the M Typ 240. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.
Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Leica M Typ 240?
The M Typ 240 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.
What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with flash?
The M Typ 240's flash sync speed is 1/180 sec.
Does the Leica M Typ 240 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?
Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).
Which battery does the M Typ 240 use?
The camera gets its power from the BP-SCL2, which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Camera to camera comparisons
In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
Camera Model | Leica M Typ 240 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Rangefinder camera | |
Camera Lens | Leica M mount lenses | |
Launch Date | September 2012 | |
Launch Price | USD 6 950 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
Sensor Format | Full Frame Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 35.8 x 23.9 mm | |
Sensor Area | 856 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 43 mm | |
Crop Factor | 1.0x | |
Sensor Resolution | 23.7 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 5 952 x 3 976 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 6.01 μm | |
Pixel Density | 2.77 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
Movie Capability | 1080/25p Video | |
ISO Setting | 200 - 6 400 ISO | |
ISO Boost | 100 - 6 400 ISO | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 84 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 24.0 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 13.3 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 1860 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.68x | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 920k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Manual Focus | |
Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 3 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 100 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
Second Storage Option | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | UHS-I | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | no HDMI | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | |
Battery Type | BP-SCL2 power pack | |
Body Dimensions |
139 x 80 x 42 mm (5.5 x 3.1 x 1.7 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 680 g (24.0 oz) |
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