Leica’s newest M digital camera drops the rangefinder in favor of an digital viewfinder

Once you’re attempting to maintain Leica’s digital digital camera lineups straight, the M-System was all the time the one with optical rangefinder show (and high price tag). Nevertheless. the corporate simply upended that precedent with the M EV1, a 60MP mirrorless digital camera with a traditional M design however an digital viewfinder (EVF) rather than the rangefinder.

It might upset purists, however it’s a transfer that is smart from a gross sales perspective. Leica’s old-school movie cameras used its M mount lens system and, as a way to hold the our bodies compact, did not have reflex mirrors like SLRs. As a substitute, they used an optical rangefinder, which gives a bizarre, offset and inaccurate view of the scene. Leica saved the rangefinders when it launched its digital M cameras, although it may have switched to an EVF.

In 2014, Leica launched a extra trendy mirrorless digital camera lineup with the brand new SL mount that did use digital viewfinders. Nevertheless, they’ve all the time lacked the cachet, compact dimension and lovely appears of the M-System, so do not enchantment as a lot to well-heeled patrons that need the total Leica expertise.

Enter the M EV1, which appears precisely such as you need a Leica to look however boots the rangefinder in favor of an EVF. “Designed for each devoted Leica fanatics and people new to the M System, it makes capturing lovely, intentional pictures simpler than ever,” the corporate wrote. Leica in all probability seen patrons who wanted a pretty camera had been drawn to the M sequence, however then delay by the wonky rangefinders.

Handmade in Germany, the M EV1 is unquestionably lovely, with the traditional rounded rectangular M form and a brand new diamond-patterned leatherette to offer it a particular look in comparison with the rangefinder fashions. Leica additionally eradicated the devoted ISO dial (the setting is now achieved through one other management), which helped make it 1.62 ounces lighter than the M11-P. It has a brand new customized perform lever that allows you to activate focusing aids and digital zoom choices whereas trying by means of the viewfinder.

That viewfinder is unquestionably a superb one, with 5.76 million dots of decision for a pointy view. The rear display has a pointy 2.32-million-dot show, however is fastened in place and does not tilt.

In any other case, the M EV1 has comparable specs to the M11-P. It has a excessive decision 60MP sensor with assist for 14-bit RAW photographs processed utilizing Leica’s glorious shade science and burst speeds as much as 4.5 fps. You possibly can shoot with the mechanical shutter at as much as 1/4000th and 1/16,000th in silent mode (flash sync is 1/one hundred and eightieth). Focusing is strictly guide, with magnification and focus peaking help features. Naturally, it makes use of Leica’s well-known and tremendously expensive compact M mount lenses. There is not any assist for video.

Although some options are old-fashioned, the M EV1 helps you to hook up with Leica’s Fotos app through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or a cable for fast sharing on social media and elsewhere. It additionally helps Leica’s Content Credentials system that permits the origin and historical past of a picture to be clearly traced to keep away from copyright theft or AI spoofing. Different options embody 64GB of built-in storage together with UHS-II SD card assist, and a meager 237 pictures on a battery cost when utilizing the EVF.

Seeing the worth is all the time a enjoyable expertise with a brand new Leica digital camera, and the M EV1 does not disappoint. It is now on pre-order for $8,995 (black, physique solely) with delivery set for later this yr.