The leica cameras they are and have been the object of desire since their inception. When we talk about this brand, we talk about a really extreme level of quality, not always easy to achieve economically for the average photographer.
Leica is synonymous with exclusivity and personality, a brand oblivious to fashion and absolutely true to itself, which has known how to exploit an excellent product for more than 100 years.
In this guide, we will take a tour of Leica cameras and lenses and discuss other important aspects for users.
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What is the Leica brand?
Leica is a German company founded in 1913, always linked to optics and precision optical instruments. The company is divided into three subsections, one dedicated to photography, another to topographical equipment, and the last one to medical equipment.
Leica Camera AG is the one dedicated to the research and production of cameras and their accessories.
Leica offers products of the highest quality in all its aspects, it is its main value as a brand, what differentiates it from all the others, and what justifies its high prices.
This brand is only committed to the excellence, precision, design and timelessness of its products, where nothing is banal or superfluous.
Early Leica models
leica cameras
We are going to review the different Leica models that you can find today, in this section you will find the following types of cameras:
- Professional SLR (S system)
- Full-frame mirrorless (SL system)
- Mirrorless APS-C (CL/TL2)
- Digital rangefinders (M system)
- Analog rangefinders (M system)
- Professional compact (Q series)
- compact
- Bridge
- Of action
- Snapshot
Professional Leica SLR cameras (S system)
The S series has the S3 model available, an impressive SLR professional camera medium format.
Leica Professional SLR Camera: S3
The leica S3 It is a professional medium format camera, with a 64MP Leica ProFormat 30 x 45mm sensor, ISO values ​​up to 50,000, up to 60fps, very robust and light, sealed, spectacular performance in all areas. It only has one but: the price is 18,750 €, not suitable for most mortals.
PROS:
- Very good image stabilization
- 4K recording
- 18 compatible S-series lenses
Take a look at this marvel in the official presentation video:
Leica S3 sample gallery
Here you can see some sample images taken with the Leica S3.
Sample photos taken with Leica S3
Leica full frame mirrorless cameras (SL system)
The SL system is Leica’s full-frame mirrorless system. Within this range, you have the following cameras.
Leica SL2 mirrorless camera
The leica SL2 is a professional 47MP, 20fps, sealed, full frame mirrorless camera with 4K recording at 60fps, touch monitor and an ISO range of 50-50,000, autofocus with 225 metering fields, compatible with the Leica FOTOS app for iOS and Android, among many other features. You can find it for €6,440 on your own website.
PROS:
- Leica EyeRes© viewfinder with 5.7MP resolution
- 5K recording in a 4:3 ratio
- It can be used in extreme weather conditions from -10 to +40 degrees Celsius.
CONS:
- Price
- Non-folding screen
Leica SL2-S mirrorless camera
The leica SL2-S is a 24MP full frame mirrorless camera, very robust (metal body), touch screen, sealed, with a minimalist design, ISO value up to 100,000, with a 5-axis stabilizer, 4K video recording, burst shooting with electronic shutter up to 25 fps and with mechanical shutter up to 9 fps. Wi-Fi or Bluetooth® connectivity. You can get it on its own website for about €4,630.
PROS:
- L mount compatible with M,R and S via an adapter
- 5.76 MP EyeRes electronic viewfinder
- High precision focus system
CONS:
- Fixed LCD screen
- Somewhat heavy (931g)
Here you can see it in detail:
Leica APS-C mirrorless cameras (CL/TL2)
The APS-C format mirrorless Leicas are the most affordable in the Leica world if we do not go into the compact ones. You have two models to choose from today, the Leica Cl and the TL2.
Leica CL mirrorless camera
The Leica CL is a mirrorless camera with a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor ideal for street or travel photography, due to its size, weight (403 g) and discretion. A camera with a classic design, but with features such as a 3″ touch screen, an electronic viewfinder or a good autofocus (49 contrast focus points) and up to 10 fps. You can buy it for €2,510, is one of the most affordable Leica. Available in silver or black finish
PROS:
- excellent dynamic range
- High resolution electronic viewfinder
- 4K recording
- Wi-Fi connectivity
CONS:
- ISO hardly usable beyond 12,500
Leica TL2 mirrorless camera
The Leica TL2 is a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor mirrorless camera, capable of recording in 4K, ISO 100-50,000, bursts up to 20 fps, Focus Peaking, with a lightweight body made of solid aluminum alloy. You can get her for €1,950Leica’s cheapest mirrorless camera to date.
PROS:
- 49 focus points
- High resolution 3.7″ touch screen
- 32GB internal memory
- Wi-Fi connectivity
CONS:
- Eliminate the built-in flash of the previous model
Leica digital rangefinder cameras (M system)
If you have an idea of ​​what a classic Leica camera is, you are probably thinking of the Leica M-series. The cameras of this system owe their name to the technology Messuchera mix between viewfinder and rangefinder. They are fast, discreet and compact cameras, with spectacular design and build and image quality.
rangefinder
The Leica M series is aimed at a photographer who works in manual mode, a lover of classic Leica cameras, since they retain their same essence. The user of the M series must prioritize quality over technological performance. The way of working is very similar to film cameras, the essence remains intact, so if you are looking for the latest in automatic features, they are not your ideal camera.
Let’s see their models in this series:
- Leica M11
- Leica M10-R
- Leica M10 Monochrome
- Leica M10-P
- Leica MA
- LeicaMP
Leica M11 camera
The leica M11 it is a fully manual camera, including focus. Its design is faithful to the old Leica cameras.
This digital rangefinder camera has a triple resolution BSI Full Frame CMOS sensor (you can choose between a resolution of 60, 36 or 18 MP for DNG and JPG), an ISO range of up to 50,000, an electronic shutter of up to 1/16,000, touch screen and a weight of 530 g.
As you can see, the M series is aimed at a very specific type of photographer, who absolutely dominates manual mode, values ​​quality and has a good budget, because this camera costs no less than €8,420.. It is available in silver or black finish.
PROS:
- Manual focus by rangefinder
- rangefinder
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Long exposure up to 60′
CONS:
- Price
- Slow at work
Leica M10-R camera
The leica M10R is a fully manual rangefinder camera, with a 40MP Full Frame sensor, robust but discreet, with a magnesium and leather body (weight 660g), touch screen, ISO 100-50,000 and impressive image quality, but at a price from €8,215affordable for only a few.
PROS:
- Maximum long exposure time up to 16′
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Ultra quiet shooting
- Magnesium and leather body
CONS:
- Price
- No automatic features
Leica M-10 Monochrome camera
The Leica M-10 monochrome is a rangefinder camera with a 40MP black and white sensor, ISO range 160-100,000, maximum exposure time 16′, with a minimalist and elegant design. It works manually and has a touch screen. You can buy it for €8,415.
PROS:
- Ultra quiet shooting
- Maximum shutter speed 1/16,000
CONS:
- Only black and white photography
- Price
You can see a small sample gallery made with the Leica M-10 Monochrom:
Photos taken with the Leica M10-Monochrom
Leica M-10P camera
The Leica M-10P It boasts of being the quietest camera on the market, with a 24MP full frame CMOS sensor, shooting speed of up to 5fps and up to 50,000 ISO. This rangefinder camera is made to go unnoticed, making it ideal for reporters, street photographers, etc. You can get it for €7,715in silver or black chrome finish
PROS:
- ultra quiet shutter
- WiFi connection
- Touch screen
Leica analog rangefinder cameras (M system)
Leica M-system cameras are rangefinder mirrorless cameras. This kind of cameras They combine a direct optical viewfinder with a lens-independent rangefinder, which allows you to focus on the subject by superimposing two images. When both coincide, the object is in focus* .
They are the cameras for which the brand became known and that continue to be reissued, improved and adapted to the digital world without losing their essence.
*Source: Wikipedia
Next we will see the Leica models with this system:
Leica MA camera (100% analog Leica)
The Leica MA It is a rangefinder camera, 100% analog (uses reel) and completely manual. Shutter speed 1 to 1/1,000 sec. With an M mount, it is a camera for lovers of classic Leicas who enjoy analog photography in the hands of one of the best cameras in history. Its price is €4,540. Black and silver finish. Weight 578g.
PROS:
- analog viewfinder
- 100% manual (shutter and opening)
- Does not use battery
CONS:
- Cost of reels and developing
Leica MP camera (100% analog Leica)
The LeicaMP it is a completely analog camera, both in the exposure controls and in its handling. It works with 36mm film and you have it in black chrome and silver finish. You can get it for €4,640.
PROS:
- Selective light meter
- manual controls
- Black chrome and silver finish
CONS:
- Cost of reels and developing
Professional compact Leica cameras (Q series)
The Leica Q series focuses on a professional compact camera format, both for its features and its price.
Leica Q2 compact camera
The Leica Q2 is an intuitive 47MP full-frame compact camera with an excellent quality Summilux 28mm f/1.7 fixed lens, autofocus, ISO 50-50,000, 3″ touch screen, burst shooting up to 10fps, Bluetooth and quality impressive image. You can get hold of it for around €5,340.