Leica M10-P Review

Leica’s M-series cameras have been utilized by several of the most well-known photographers throughout the history of photography. As a result, they have rightfully earned their position in photographic mythology.

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Leica M10-P Mirrorless Digital Rangefinder Camera, Silver

Last update was on: January 18, 2024 11:47 pm
$9,995.00

The standard M10 that Leica released a year ago was, undoubtedly, the best digital interpretation of the series we have seen. This is especially true because it shed some weight compared to its digital forebears and was as svelte as its legendary film siblings.

There is little doubt that the M10 has a specialized audience (but one that is quite devoted), and the M10-P is aimed at an even more discriminating audience, aiming to appeal to those who find even the ordinary M10 to be a touch too “in your face.”

Leica M10-P Features

The M10-P is essentially an updated version of the original M10, from which it takes many of its essential characteristics. This contains the full-frame 24MP sensor paired with the Maestro II image processor Leica manufactures. This combination produces a sensitivity range that extends from ISO 100 to 50,000. Although the camera was not intended for rapid-fire photography, it can have a respectable continuous shooting speed of 5 frames per second.

The fact that the sensor does not have a low-pass filter is excellent news for accurately rendering minute details. However, because the M10-P does not have any form of image stabilization in the camera or Leica M lenses (which, to Leica purists, may seem like an act of blasphemy), you must have a firm grasp on your photography style.

Leica would undoubtedly claim that an anti-shake mechanism isn’t necessary for the M10-P because of its tiny size (it has the same proportions as the film version and is just 33.7mm thick), which, when combined with Leica’s high-speed prime lenses, makes it impossible to shake the camera.

The M10-P is a rangefinder camera. Hence it has an optical viewfinder rather than a traditional viewfinder. Or, to be more specific, a “Messsucher,” which is what Leica refers to as its combination rangefinder/viewfinder; the M in “Messsucher” is what is responsible for giving the M system its name.

Leica M10-P Build Quality

The Leica M10-P utilizes the same body that was reduced in size for the Leica M10, and the quality, as one would anticipate from a premium product, is magnificent. The chassis of the M10-P is made of magnesium, and the top and bottom plates are machined from solid brass blocks. As a result, there is no question in your mind that the camera will continue to have a unique and luxurious feel in ten or twenty years, even if the technology contained within may not be as cutting edge.

The battery and memory card are placed within the camera’s base; however, to reach this compartment, the entire base plate must be removed, which is a unique design choice (but not if you use a Leica M). To your relief, this is not nearly as difficult as you think; all that is required is a simple rotation of the D-ring.

The M10-P is all about understatement, and as such, the camera does not have a Leica red dot logo on the front of the camera. Instead, the top plate of the camera displays just discrete Leica text. In addition, the top plate of the M10-P comes with a metal cover for the hot shoe that was made to blend perfectly with the rest of the container.

The M10-P possesses the same manual rangefinder focusing technique as the M10 and the big viewfinder inherited from the M10. You might be amazed at how fast you get the hang of it, mainly if this is something that you are doing for the first time; if you are new to it, it will take a little practice as you strive to get the two pictures to create one single sharp image in the viewfinder.

Focusing on some scenarios, such as those with powerful light or exceedingly tiny details, might be challenging. However, a second method is available, which consists of using the live view function on the rear LCD screen in conjunction with the focus peaking feature.

When you begin to turn the focusing ring on the lens, the view becomes enlarged by default. This makes it much simpler to determine whether or not the lens is correctly focused on smaller components of the picture. You may even modify the color of the highlight if it clashes with whatever it is that you want to focus on. This works quite well in practice, mainly when the depth of field is very shallow.

Leica M10-P Performance

The redesigned shutter is one of the primary characteristics distinguishing the M10-P from the standard M10 model. Therefore, it is difficult to argue with Leica’s claim that the M10-P has the quietest shutter release of any M-series camera because the assertion is so confident.

When you press the shutter button, the sound is almost inaudible, making it ideal for photographers in public settings. However, in light of the preceding, if silence is of the utmost importance, you should purchase a mirrorless camera with a silent electronic shutter.

Before the camera’s burst mode slows down, it can take around 61 JPEGs or 22 consecutive raw and JPEG frames combined while shooting at five frames per second. Even if many cheaper cameras readily surpass this, it is probably enough for the sorts of pictures the ordinary audience will likely wish to shoot.

It is also encouraging to note that the camera continues to function normally even as they are being written to the memory card; however, it cannot access the main menu while this is taking place.

During our evaluation, we were able to put the M10-P and the SUMMARIT-M 50mm f/2.4 lens to good use. Even when utilized with the aperture wide open at f/2.4, the raw files acquired with the lens exhibit an excellent level of information right throughout the frame. Not only is this a very compact and lightweight alternative, but it also displays a remarkable degree of detail.

Since of this, natural scenes end up with details that exhibit good definition, and the camera does not need to do any over-sharpening to get this result. This is possible because the camera did not include the optical low-pass filter.

On the other side, aliasing artifacts can occasionally be seen; however, if you don’t photograph things like fashion or architecture often, you probably won’t see them very frequently.

This lens also creates out-of-focus areas with charming character and pleasantly circular bokeh. The out-of-focus portions slightly form a cat’s eye shape at the frame’s edges.

At the maximum aperture of f/2.4, there is a trace of longitudinal chromatic aberration, which appears as a trace of green fringing at the borders of details. However, this kind of aberration is not at all unusual in wide-aperture prime lenses like the one that this camera has.

Throughout most of the ISO range, noise is kept under excellent control. The slightest hint of color noise may be seen inside images with moderate lighting at an ISO setting of 3200. This noise gradually becomes more noticeable when the sensitivity setting is increased. Pictures shot at the maximum ISO50,000 level are visibly impacted by banding. However, the results aren’t as poor as anticipated in such settings because the setting is so high.

There are three distinct options available for you to choose from.

Leica M10-P Specs

Body typeRangefinder-style mirrorless
Max resolution5952 x 3992
Other resolutions5952 x 3968 (JPEG, 24MP), 4256 x 2932 (12MP), 2976 x 1984 (6MP)
Image ratio w:h3:2
Effective pixels24 megapixels
Sensor sizeFull frame (35.8 x 23.9 mm)
Sensor typeCMOS
ProcessorMaestro II
ISOAuto, 100-50000
White balance presets8
Custom white balanceYes
Image stabilizationNo
Uncompressed formatRAW
AutofocusTouchLive View
Manual focusYes
Lens mountLeica M
Focal length multiplier
Articulated LCDFixed
Screen size3″
Screen dots1,036,800
Touch screenYes
Screen typeTFT LCD
Live viewYes
Viewfinder typeOptical (rangefinder)
Viewfinder coverage100%
Viewfinder magnification0.73×
Minimum shutter speed8 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/4000 sec
Aperture priorityYes
Shutter priorityYes
Manual exposure modeYes
MultiCenter-weighted spotNo
Built-in flashNo
External flashYes
Continuous drive5.0 fps
Self-timerYes (2 or 12 secs)
Metering modesMultiCenter-weightedSpot
Exposure compensation±3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing±3 (3, 5 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps)
MicrophoneNone
SpeakerNone
Storage typesSD/SDHC/SDXC
HDMINo
Microphone portNo
Headphone portNo
WirelessBuilt-In
Remote controlYes (via cable trigger)
BatteryBattery Pack
Battery descriptionBP-SCL5 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)210
Weight (inc. batteries)660 g (1.46 lb / 23.28 oz)
Dimensions139 x 39 x 80 mm (5.47 x 1.54 x 3.15″)
Orientation sensorYes
Timelapse recordingYes
GPSOptional
GPS notesvia optional Visoflex EVF

Leica M10-P Verdict

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Leica M10-P Mirrorless Digital Rangefinder Camera, Silver

Last update was on: January 18, 2024 11:47 pm
$9,995.00

The Leica M-series camera is either something that you will completely disregard, pointing out all of the benefits that a DSLR or mirrorless camera offers for half the price (or even a quarter), or it is something that you will hanker after for the rest of your photography career.

If the latter is your situation, then the M10-P is an exciting possibility for you to consider. The M10-P is a version of the M10, and the only significant differences between the two cameras are the quieter shutter on the M10-P and the touchscreen interface and aesthetic changes. However, the price increase over the M10 is very significant. As a result, you will need to choose whether or not you can rationalize the expenditure on such a luxury item.

Leica M10-P FAQs

Why is the Leica M10-P so expensive?

The Leica M10-P is a digital camera.

Does Leica M10-P have autofocus?

The reason why the Leica M10-P is so expensive is because of the high-quality materials and precision engineering that go into making it, as well as the fact that it is a luxury item that is designed for professional photographers and enthusiasts who are willing to pay premium for the Leica brand name and the camera’s unique features and capabilities.

What is a reasonable price for a Leica M10 P?

The Leica M10-P does not have autofocus, as it is a rangefinder camera that relies on manual focusing.

When was the Leica M10 P released?

The price of a Leica M10-P can vary depending on the region and the dealer. Still, it is considered one of the most expensive digital cameras on the market. Therefore, a reasonable price for a new Leica M10-P would likely be around $10,000 to USD 11,000.

Is Leica M10 P digital or film?

The Leica M10-P was released in 2020.

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