Leica M10 versus Leica CL

The Leica M10 (Typ 3656) and the Leica CL (Typ 7323) are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in January 2017 and November 2017. The M10 is a fixed lens compact, while the CL is a rangefinder-style mirrorless. The cameras are based on a full frame (M10) and an APS-C (CL) sensor. The M10 has a resolution of 23.8 megapixel, whereas the CL provides 24.1 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Leica M10 vs Leica CL

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Leica M10 and the Leica CL is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. If you prefer, you can also use the toggle button to switch to a comparison in percentage terms (in this case, the camera on the left side – the M10 – represents the basis for the calculations across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica CL is notably smaller (8 percent) than the Leica M10. Moreover, the CL is substantially lighter (39 percent) than the M10. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the M10 nor the CL are weather-sealed.

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 the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, just click on the right or left arrow next to the camera that you would like to inspect. Alternatively, you can also use the CAM-parator to select your camera combination among a larger number of options.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Leica M10»	5.5 in	3.1 in	1.5 in	23.3 oz	210	n	Jan 2017	6,595			Leica M10
	Leica CL«	5.2 in	3.1 in	1.8 in	14.2 oz	220	n	Nov 2017	2,795			Leica CL
	Canon 6D Mark II« »	5.7 in	4.4 in	3.0 in	27.0 oz	1200	Y	Jun 2017	1,999			Canon 6D Mark II
	Canon SL2« »	4.8 in	3.7 in	2.8 in	16.0 oz	650	n	Jun 2017	549			Canon SL2
	Canon M5« »	4.6 in	3.5 in	2.4 in	15.1 oz	295	n	Sep 2016	979			Canon M5
	Fujifilm X-E3« »	4.8 in	2.9 in	1.7 in	11.9 oz	350	n	Sep 2017	899			Fujifilm X-E3
	Fujifilm X-A3« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.6 in	12.0 oz	410	n	Aug 2016	399			Fujifilm X-A3
	Leica C-LUX« »	4.4 in	2.6 in	1.8 in	12.0 oz	370	n	Jun 2018	1,049			Leica C-LUX
	Leica TL2« »	5.3 in	2.7 in	1.3 in	14.1 oz	250	n	Jul 2017	1,950			Leica TL2
	Leica M Typ 262« »	5.5 in	3.1 in	1.7 in	24.0 oz	..	Y	Nov 2015	5,195	-		Leica M Typ 262
	Leica Q Typ 116« »	5.1 in	3.1 in	3.7 in	22.6 oz	300	n	Jun 2015	4,249			Leica Q Typ 116
	Leica M Typ 240« »	5.5 in	3.1 in	1.7 in	24.0 oz	..	Y	Sep 2012	6,950	-		Leica M Typ 240
	Leica M9« »	5.5 in	3.1 in	1.5 in	20.6 oz	..	n	Sep 2009	7,999	-		Leica M9
	Leica M8« »	5.5 in	3.1 in	1.5 in	20.8 oz	..	n	Sep 2006	5,499	-		Leica M8
	Nikon D7500« »	5.4 in	4.1 in	2.9 in	25.4 oz	950	Y	Apr 2017	1,299			Nikon D7500
	Nikon D3400« »	4.9 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	15.7 oz	1200	n	Aug 2016	499			Nikon D3400
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Any camera purchase will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The CL was launched at a markedly lower price (by 58 percent) than the M10, 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.

Sensor comparison: Leica M10 vs Leica CL

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants 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 more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica M10 features a full frame sensor and the Leica CL an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the CL is 57 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

In terms of underlying technology, both cameras are build around CMOS sensors.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the CL offers a slightly higher resolution of 24.1 megapixel, compared with 23.8 MP of the M10. This megapixel advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.92μm versus 6.00μm for the M10). However, it should be noted that the CL is a somewhat more recent model (by 10 months) than the M10, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that partly offset its pixel-size disadvantage. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The CL indeed provides for movie recording, while the M10 does not. The highest resolution format that the CL can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison: Leica M10 vs Leica CL

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the CL has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the M10 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 following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica M10, the Leica CL, and comparable cameras. If needed, the dpreview camera hub, for example, contains further detail on the cameras' specs.

The reported shutter speed and shutter burst refer to the use of the mechanical shutter. In addition, the CL features an electronic shutter, which makes silent shooting and higher burst speeds possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (flickering).

Both the M10 and the CL are current models that good online retailers will have in stock. You can check the latest prices, for example, at amazon. The M10 replaced the earlier Leica M Typ 262, while the CL does not have a direct predecessor.

Review summary: Leica M10 vs Leica CL

So what is the bottom line? Is the Leica M10 better than the Leica CL or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Leica M10 (Typ 3656):

• Better low-light imaging: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for better high-ISO images.
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in January 2017).

Arguments in favor of the Leica CL (Typ 7323):

• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 4K/30p video.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• Easier setting verification: Has a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (8000/sec vs 4000/sec) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 257g or 39 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (58 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (10 months) more recently.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the CL is the clear winner of the contest (10 : 3 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.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the M10 or the CL. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. 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). You can find the full text of the reviews by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Leica M10»	-	-	4/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2017	6,595			Leica M10
	Leica CL«	-	-	-	-	4/5	Nov 2017	2,795			Leica CL
	Canon 6D Mark II« »	Rec	80/100	4.5/5	4/5	4/5	Jun 2017	1,999			Canon 6D Mark II
	Canon SL2« »	HiRec	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2017	549			Canon SL2
	Canon M5« »	Rec	82/100	4/5	4.5/5	4/5	Sep 2016	979			Canon M5
	Fujifilm X-E3« »	Rec	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2017	899			Fujifilm X-E3
	Fujifilm X-A3« »	-	74/100	4.5/5	-	4/5	Aug 2016	399			Fujifilm X-A3
	Leica C-LUX« »	-	-	-	-	4/5	Jun 2018	1,049			Leica C-LUX
	Leica TL2« »	-	-	4/5	-	4/5	Jul 2017	1,950			Leica TL2
	Leica M Typ 262« »	-	-	-	-	-	Nov 2015	5,195	-		Leica M Typ 262
	Leica Q Typ 116« »	-	80/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Jun 2015	4,249			Leica Q Typ 116
	Leica M Typ 240« »	-	-	4/5	-	-	Sep 2012	6,950	-		Leica M Typ 240
	Leica M9« »	-	-	4.5/5	4.5/5	-	Sep 2009	7,999	-		Leica M9
	Leica M8« »	-	HiRec	-	-	-	Sep 2006	5,499	-		Leica M8
	Nikon D7500« »	HiRec	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2017	1,299			Nikon D7500
	Nikon D3400« »	Rec	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2016	499			Nikon D3400

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when refering to cameras in the same category and of the same age. 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, 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 would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool. If the camera you are interested in is not available, kindly get in touch, and I will try to update the database with the necessary infos.

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