Leica M10 Comparison Review
The Leica M10 (Typ 3656) is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera that was announced in January 2017 and is equipped with a full frame sensor. It offers a resolution of 23.8 megapixel.
Is the Leica M10 a good camera? The M10 has a Camera Elo of 2197. This rating puts the M10 among the top 40 percent of all rangefinder cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (full frame cameras), the M10 ranks among the top 50 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 3.5-star performance rating.
| Leica M10 |
|---|
| Rangefinder camera |
| Leica M mount lenses |
| 23.8 MP, Full Frame Sensor |
| no Video |
| ISO 100 - 50 000 |
| Optical viewfinder |
| 3.0 LCD, 1037k dots |
| Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) |
| 5 shutter flaps per second |
| Weathersealed body |
| 210 shots per battery charge |
| 139 x 80 x 39 mm, 660 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
An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Leica M10 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Leica M10 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 1 |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch 2 |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leica M10 | 5.5 in | 3.1 in | 1.5 in | 23.3 oz | 210 | Y | Jan 2017 | 6,595 |  | |
| 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 | | |
| 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 M Typ 262 | 5.5 in | 3.1 in | 1.7 in | 24.0 oz | .. | Y | Nov 2015 | 5,195 | | |
| Leica Q Typ 116 | 5.1 in | 3.1 in | 3.7 in | 22.6 oz | 300 | n | Jun 2015 | 4,249 | | |
| Leica SL | 5.8 in | 4.1 in | 1.5 in | 29.9 oz | 400 | Y | Oct 2015 | 7,450 | | |
| Leica M Typ 240 | 5.5 in | 3.1 in | 1.7 in | 24.0 oz | .. | Y | Sep 2012 | 6,950 | | |
| Leica M8 | 5.5 in | 3.1 in | 1.5 in | 20.8 oz | .. | n | Sep 2006 | 5,499 | | |
| Nikon D5 | 6.3 in | 6.3 in | 3.6 in | 49.9 oz | 3780 | Y | Jan 2016 | 6,499 | | |
|
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. (1) Number of images that can be taken on a full battery charge according to the CIPA-standard; (2) Official announcement. |
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Leica M10 was launched in the US market at a price of $6,595. 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.
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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and 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 M10 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 M10 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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.
| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leica M10 | Full Frame | 23.8 | 5952 | 3992 | none | 24.4 | 13.2 | 2133 | 86 | |
| 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 | |
| Leica M-E Typ 240 | Full Frame | 23.7 | 5952 | 3976 | 1080/25p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Leica M10-P | Full Frame | 23.8 | 5952 | 3992 | none | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Leica M Typ 262 | Full Frame | 23.7 | 5952 | 3976 | none | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Leica Q Typ 116 | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.3 | 12.7 | 2221 | 85 | |
| Leica SL | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 25.0 | 13.4 | 1821 | 88 | |
| Leica M Typ 240 | Full Frame | 23.7 | 5952 | 3976 | 1080/25p | 24.0 | 13.3 | 1860 | 84 | |
| Leica M8 | APS-H | 10.4 | 3936 | 2630 | none | 21.1 | 11.3 | 663 | 59 | |
| Nikon D5 | Full Frame | 20.7 | 5588 | 3712 | 4K/30p | 25.1 | 12.3 | 2343 | 88 |
It should be noted that unlike many modern cameras, the M10 does not provide the possibility to capture videos.
Feature comparison
Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the M10 has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.73x. The tables below summarize some of the other core capabilities of the Leica M10 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.
| 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 M10 | optical | n | 3.0 | 1037 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 5.0 | 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 | |
| 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 M Typ 262 | optical | n | 3.0 | 921 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0 | n | n | |
| Leica Q Typ 116 | 3680 | n | 3.0 | 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0 | n | Y | |
| Leica SL | 4400 | Y | 3.0 | 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 11.0 | n | n | |
| Leica M Typ 240 | optical | n | 3.0 | 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0 | n | n | |
| Leica M8 | optical | n | 2.5 | 230 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 2.0 | n | n | |
| Nikon D5 | optical | Y | 3.2 | 2359 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 14.0 | 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 M10 (Typ 3656) 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 M10 | Y | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | |
| 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 | - | - | - | |
| Leica M-E Typ 240 | Y | mono | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| Leica M10-P | Y | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | |
| Leica M Typ 262 | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| Leica Q Typ 116 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| Leica SL | Y | stereo | mono | Y | Y | full | 3.0 | Y | - | - | |
| Leica M Typ 240 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| Leica M8 | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| Nikon D5 | Y | stereo | mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.0 | - | - | - |
It is notable that the M10 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.
Expert reviews
While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the M10. 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 adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular 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 M10 | .. | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | Jan 2017 | 6,595 | |
|
| 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 | |
|
| Leica M-E Typ 240 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jun 2019 | 3,999 | |
|
| Leica M10-P | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | Aug 2018 | 7,995 | |
|
| Leica M Typ 262 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Nov 2015 | 5,195 | |
|
| Leica Q Typ 116 | .. | 80/100 | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | Jun 2015 | 4,249 | |
|
| Leica SL | .. | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Oct 2015 | 7,450 | |
|
| Leica M Typ 240 | .. | .. | 4/5 | .. | .. | Sep 2012 | 6,950 | |
|
| Leica M8 | .. | + + | .. | .. | .. | Sep 2006 | 5,499 | |
|
| Nikon D5 | .. | 89/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | Jan 2016 | 6,499 | |
|
| Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. | |||||||||
The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.
Leica M10 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the M10.
What type of imaging sensor is used in the M10?
The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Leica equipped the M10 with the Maestro II image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the M10?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 50000.
What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Leica M10 (Typ 3656)?
Leica does not publish a shutter rating for the M10. 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.
Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences?
No, the Leica M10 (Typ 3656) has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.
Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Leica M10?
The M10 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 M10's flash sync speed is 1/180 sec.
Does the Leica M10 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 M10 use?
The camera gets its power from the BP-SCL5, which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Camera to camera comparisons
If you would like to see a side-by-side review of this and another camera, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
| Camera Model | Leica M10 | |
| Camera Type | Rangefinder camera | |
| Camera Lens | Leica M mount lenses | |
| Launch Date | January 2017 | |
| Launch Price | USD 6 595 | |
| 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 | 23.8 Megapixels | |
| Image Resolution | 5 952 x 3 992 pixels | |
| Pixel Pitch | 6.00 μm | |
| Pixel Density | 2.78 MP/cm2 | |
| Moiré control | no AA filter | |
| Movie Capability | no Video | |
| ISO Setting | 100 - 50 000 ISO | |
| Image Processor | Maestro II | |
| DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 86 | |
| DXO Color Depth (bits) | 24.4 | |
| DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 13.2 | |
| DXO Low Light (ISO) | 2133 | |
| Screen Specs | ||
| Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.73x | |
| LCD Framing | Live View | |
| LCD Size | 1037k dots | |
| LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | |
| Shooting Specs | ||
| Focus System | Manual Focus | |
| Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | |
| Continuous Shooting | 5 shutter flaps/s | |
| Shutter Life Expectancy | 100 000 actuations | |
| Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
| Time Lapse Photography | Intervalometer Built-in | |
| 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 | no USB | |
| HDMI Port | no HDMI | |
| Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | |
| Body Specs | ||
| Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | |
| Battery Type | BP-SCL5 power pack | |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 210 shots per charge | |
| Body Dimensions |
139 x 80 x 39 mm (5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5 in) |
|
| Camera Weight | 660 g (23.3 oz) |
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