4 Reasons the Leica M10 Monochrom Should Be Your Next Camera
- The Exquisite Build Quality of the Leica M10 Monochrom
- The High-Resolution Black & White Sensor of the Leica M10 Monochrom
- The Simplicity of the Leica M10 Monochrom
- The Lens Compatibility of the Leica M10 Monochrom
- Final Thoughts on the Leica M10 Monochrom
- Camera Type: Digital Rangefinder Mirrorless Camera
- Sensor: 40.89MP Full-Frame Monochrome CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 160 - 100,000
- Lens Mount: Leica M Mount
- Speed: 4.5 fps
- Autofocus: None
- Video: None
- Size/Weight: 139 x 80 x 38.5 mm / 660 grams
- Battery Life: 400 shots
- Stabilization: No
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weather-Sealed: Yes
- Leica M10 Monochrom Used Price: $5,289 - $5,549
- Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
- Leica 16-18-21mm F/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH
- Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- Leica 28mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- Leica 90mm f/1.5 Summilux-M ASPH
While the rise in camera technology over the past few decades has certainly been impressive, there will forever be a special place in our hearts for old-school, rangefinder-style cameras. Lucky for us, brands like Leica have recently started releasing amazing new cameras that combine the look and feel of those throwback cameras with modern features and specs.
One of those cameras is the Leica M10 Monochrom. It’s a black and white digital rangefinder mirrorless camera that came out in 2020, and it’s one of our favorite cameras we’ve ever been fortunate enough to shoot with. If you are considering purchasing one, you’re in the right place!
In this Leica M10 Monochrom review, we’ll share four reasons it should be your next camera. From its high-quality images and lens compatibility to its beautiful yet simple design, there’s so much to love about this luxury Leica camera. Additionally, thanks to innovative online platforms like MPB, buying a used digital rangefinder has never been cheaper and easier than it is today.
Who is MPB? It is a trustworthy and reliable online platform selling pre-owned photography and videography gear at unbeatable prices. Better yet, all of its cameras and lenses are carefully hand-inspected by professional product specialists with years of experience and backed by six-month warranties, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
We are huge fans of MPB because, over the years, we’ve saved thousands of dollars buying, selling, and trading in photography equipment on their one-of-a-kind online marketplace. If you want to upgrade your camera kit and save money, too, visit their website today. Now, without further ado, join us as we explore what makes the Leica M10 Monochrom great!
Check out the video above by Chris Chu to learn more about the Leica M10 Monochrom and to see some epic example images shot with it.
Table of Contents
The Exquisite Build Quality of the Leica M10 Monochrom
Before you even get your hands on the Leica M10 Monochrom, the first thing you will notice is its beautiful, sleek body. The design mirrors the style of classic Leica film cameras and is incredibly compact. Its environmentally-sealed body and portable size make it a perfect camera for travel and street photography.
On the back of the camera, there is a 3-inch touchscreen LCD and a large optical viewfinder. The screen has 1.04M dots, and a built-in Corning Gorilla Glass cover protects it. At the same time, the viewfinder is a 0.73x-magnification rangefinder that features an ingenious frame selector on the front of the camera for changing its field of view.
Now, here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of the Leica M10 Monochrom:
The High-Resolution Black & White Sensor of the Leica M10 Monochrom
The star of the Leica M10 Monochrom is its 40.89-megapixel full-frame monochrome CMOS image sensor. It delivers stunning black-and-white photos resembling those shot with 35mm film cameras. Moreover, the high-resolution images and large pixel count are ideal for prints, wall art, magazines, etc.
Two reasons the sensor delivers images with better resolution and sharpness than most modern mirrorless cameras are that it doesn’t have an optical low-pass filter or a color filter array. The lack of these filters also improves the camera's dynamic range and reduces noise levels.
Learn More:
The Simplicity of the Leica M10 Monochrom
Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” This quote sums up the Leica M10 Monochrom because its simple yet functional design is one of the primary reasons it’s a high-end camera. The camera's top features two control dials (shutter speed & ISO), while the back only has three buttons (menu, live view, & playback).
The menu system is extremely straightforward and boasts a programmable favorites page, so you can quickly and easily select your most used settings. Another thing to note is the camera only has manual focus, giving you complete control over the outcome of your images.
Lastly, the Leica M10 Monochrom is a stills-only camera, so it doesn’t record video. If you are a hybrid content creator searching for a digital rangefinder with video capabilities, go for the Leica M-E (Typ 240) instead.
The Lens Compatibility of the Leica M10 Monochrom
The Leica M mount may offer less selection than other lens mount systems, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. Leica engineers crafted every M lens with a specific purpose in mind, and each one uses only the highest quality of glass. Whether it’s a wide-angle lens, a telephoto lens, or somewhere in between, you can always expect sharp, detailed images.
Furthermore, some years back, a handful of companies, such as Voigtlander, 7Artisans, and Zeiss, started to develop more affordable third-party lenses for M mount cameras.
Here’s a quick list of a few of the best rangefinder lenses for photography to pair with the Leica M10 Monochrom.
Final Thoughts on the Leica M10 Monochrom
As you can see, the Leica M10 Monochrom is a unique camera designed for photographers with a specific style in mind. And while we acknowledge that it might not be for everyone, if you are looking for a black-and-white mirrorless camera replicating film, it’s one of the best cameras on the market!
Better yet, ever since the release of the Leica M11 Monochrom, the price of the M10 has dropped significantly. It originally retailed for $8,295, but currently, you can find Leica M10 Monochrom used cameras in excellent condition from MPB for under $5,500!
Still deciding if the Leica M10 Monochrom is right for you? Check out the list below to compare it with other popular digital rangefinder cameras:
