Legendary Leica Cameras You Need to See Right Now

The Leica camera is a mix of timeless style and the latest tech innovations.

Leica cameras take a trip down memory lane, offering the vibes of the 35mm film pictures era. They produce crystal-clear images with the utmost precision and sharpness. Whether you're just starting out or you're a photography pro, capturing fleeting moments will be easy with these cameras.

I get that some of you may be a bit wary because of a steeper price tag (the least expensive one goes for about $1,500) compared to other brands. But considering that Leica mirrorless cameras are designed to stand the test of time, thanks to their solid parts and careful craftsmanship, investing in one of these cameras will surely pay off in the long run.

The Leica digital camera lineup is basically divided into three main categories: Leica mirrorless cameras, Leica M rangefinders, and compact models.

In the Leica mirrorless family, you'll find some standout players like the Leica SL2 and the wallet-friendly Leica CL. These cameras adopted the L-mount system presented in Sigma and Panasonic products, packing powerful, high-res sensors to guarantee impeccable photo quality.

Leica M rangefinders harness a manual focusing system with multiple lenses. Getting the hang of such a camera may take a bit of practice, but the unique experience it brings is second to none. Leica M11 takes the lead in this series, boasting a triple-resolution sensor that really sets it apart.

The Leica compact series includes cameras that are made with the same level of care as any other Leica digital model, and the standout Leica Q2 is a shining example of this prowess. This camera brings together a high-res full-frame sensor and a super sharp 28mm f/1.7 lens. Its superb ease of use and robust build quality totally justify a slightly higher price.

Type: Full Frame, Rangefinder | Resolution: 18MP | Video Quality: 1080p | Lens Mount: Leica M

The Leica M11 comes with a top-of-the-line sensor that can easily recover highlights and shadows. Therefore, you can preserve minute details in the bright and dark parts of your photos. What's more, the electronic shutter is a real lifesaver when it comes to fixing inevitable exposure blunders.

Unlike cameras with autofocus, the M11 follows a different approach to shooting with its split-image rangefinder, visible in the optical viewfinder. It may not be as pinpoint accurate as autofocus, but it opens up the door to some creative framing that's a bit challenging to pull off with DSLRs or mirrorless cameras.

This rangefinder camera packs in some cool new features. For instance, you'll find a triple-resolution sensor housed in a classy, familiar body. Despite a couple of downsides, like a somewhat lengthy two-second startup time that can be irksome when you're chasing a fast-moving subject, this camera guarantees good photo quality.

In fact, with such a feature set, it can be called the best Leica camera for black-and-white photography and photographing breathtaking landscapes.

Type: Full Frame, Mirrorless | Resolution: 24MP | Video Quality: 1080p | Lens Mount: L-mount

The Leica SL2-S is a real all-rounder, shining bright in both photography and videography. It has a 24-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, pleasing users with fantastic image quality and detail.

Moreover, this Leica mirrorless camera comes with a built-in GPS for geotagging, and you can easily pair it with your smartphone for easy sharing and remote control using the proprietary App. It's made to seamlessly fit into professional setups, supporting external recorders and timecodes. Plus, the HDMI output makes it a breeze to start live streams.

Even though the camera's menu system takes time to understand, especially for those just starting out, the camera performs well across various photography styles — from street and landscape to product and night photos. This is especially true when you consider a broad range of Leica lenses.

Type: Compact | Resolution: 20MP | Video Quality: 2K DCI 1080p | Lens Mount: Leica V

If you're into capturing moments on the move without lugging around a big DSLR, the Leica V-Lux 5 is the best Leica camera you can find. With its integrated flash and vibrant OLED viewfinder, you can frame your shots very precisely. Besides, thanks to a zoom lens on this compact camera, you can take mesmerizing close-ups and wide pictures.

It does a fantastic job even when the lighting isn't ideal, serving as an excellent pick for outdoor photography. An AF is very agile, focusing on subjects in just 0.1 seconds. Therefore, you can snap up speedy-moving moments without a problem.

It also impresses when it comes to shooting videos. It can record footage in 4K, imbuing your videos with a cinematic vibe. However, the camera doesn't support RAW format, which may bum out some pro photographers who like to have more control over their shots.

Type: Full Frame, Mirrorless | Resolution: 47MP | Video Quality: 4K | Lens Mount: Leica L

What really impresses me about the Leica SL2 is the awesome picture quality it delivers. The manufacturer added a top-tier sensor that churns out high-res shots with many details and a wide dynamic range.

Another cool thing about this Leica mirrorless camera is that it works nicely with Leica's own L-mount lenses, and you can also attach lenses from the Leica M, S, and R-systems by using adapters. So, photographers can mix and match a bunch of lenses to fit exactly what they're going for.

The camera is also equipped with a fast autofocus and can surely satisfy photographers looking for a compact, full-frame mirrorless camera with autofocus they can count on. As for photo sessions in low-light situations, this camera stands out, producing eye-pleasing shots.

Type: Mirrorless | Resolution: 24MP | Video Quality: 1080p | Lens Mount: Leica TL

The Leica CL is smartly crafted, ditching the stuff most photographers won't use. It has a large LCD display, so checking out settings is very easy.

The autofocus is quick and dependable, so you will surely get amazing photos. In general, this camera with high dynamic range offers outstanding color reproduction.

But there are a couple of drawbacks I should point out. When you crank up the ISO, especially hitting around ISO 25,000, the camera takes a hit in resolution, and there appears noticeable noise, which can be a bit distracting. So, keep this in mind if you frequently work in low-light conditions.

Type: Compact | Resolution: 47.3MP | Video Quality: 1080p | Lens Mount: Fixed 28mm, f/1.7

The Q2 is one of the best Leica digital cameras that feel good to handle and produce fantastic photos. The way they've paid attention to every little detail when making this camera for art photography is really something. The manufacturer even went the extra mile when designing dials.

The autofocus is top-notch, letting you lock onto your subject in a blink of an eye. The pictures come out super crisp, and the backgrounds acquire lovely bokeh.

You get a whole array of manual controls and can enjoy total command over your shots. Just keep in mind, that the Q2 is aimed at taking stills. The video side is more of a bonus. If you're seriously into videography, the fixed display and limited video settings may feel restricting.

Type: Film, Rangefinder | Resolution: 35mm film | Lens Mount: Leica M7

This is a real old-school rangefinder, and it's one of the rare film cameras that Leica still makes. It's a gorgeous piece, crafted entirely from metal, making it feel hefty and sturdy when you hold it. Besides, it's surprisingly compact for a big-format film camera.

The Leica MP really stands out when it comes to shooting in low light. The special lenses it comes with give deep contrast and work well at any aperture. Plus, the optical rangefinder makes focusing extremely precise. With the vibration-free shutter, you can snap quick shots with spot-on accuracy. Put all that together, and you get the best Leica camera from the M lineup that handles challenging lighting conditions with ease.

Using this camera is a breeze – pick your lens, get focus and aperture right, and you're ready to take pictures. It's a fantastic tool for diving into photography and honing your skills. Sure, not having a built-in flash might be a downside, but that's a hiccup you can easily tackle with an external flash unit.

Type: Compact, Rangefinder | Resolution: 40MP | Lens Mount: Leica M

The highlight of the Leica M10-R is its image sensor. With it, you’ll receive detailed pictures no matter whether you're into taking JPEGs or uncompressed raw shots. The image quality is striking, particularly at high ISOs, when many other Leica digital cameras fail to deal with noise and banding.

Another advantage of the M10-R is its variety of capture settings. You can tweak the ISO sensitivity in full-stop increments and switch to a Bulb mode for taking cool long exposure images. When you attach Leica's renowned lenses, the image quality is genuinely magnificent.

The design of this model is reminiscent of the M10-P and the M10 Monochrom, including a quiet mechanical shutter and a touch-sensitive screen on the back. It packs some additional features for still photography, such as a double-axis level indicator and an enhanced live view mode with different metering patterns and a focus peaking function.

Leica cameras are well put together and have the signature build quality we’ve come to expect from this manufacturer. Leica chooses prime-quality materials like brass, aluminum, and leather in their cameras. Therefore, cameras not only acquire a timeless vibe but also stay reliable even in rough shooting situations.

If compared to their competitors, such as Voigtlander or Zeiss, they deliver better performance regardless of the weather conditions. With the Leica camera, you don’t need to worry about getting caught in the pouring rain.

Photography genres. When choosing the best Leica camera, you need to consider your specific photography type and preferences. I went through Leica camera reviews, noting the genres when Leica cameras excel, and put together a handy table.

Lens compatibility. When selecting a camera, pay attention to its compatibility with different lenses. M-series cameras can be paired with bayonet-mount lenses, which can be twisted on and off the body more swiftly and easily than screw-mount glass.

On the other hand, the S-series represents Leica's medium-format digital models. These cameras come with larger, high-resolution sensors compared to those in the M-mount.

The Q-series cameras are equipped with fixed prime lenses on the front and pack a full-frame, high-resolution sensor inside.

As for the SL-series, these are standard mirrorless cameras that give you the flexibility to switch out lenses using the L-mount.

Camera type – film or digital? Digital Leica cameras are more popular than other digital options, and interestingly, film Leicas tend to become even more coveted over time. The choice of a camera ultimately depends on your preferences.

Ability to take B&W photos. If you're on the lookout for a Leica digital camera that can naturally shoot in black and white, choices are slim. There are several medium format options or you can check out the Leica Monochrom cameras.

These cameras have purpose-built monochrome sensors, eliminating the need for colored filters. Leica offers both an M-series Monochrom and a Q2 Monochrom, giving you the option of a rangefinder or a fixed-lens rangefinder.

Features and controls. Evaluate the features and controls offered by a camera. Look for features like image stabilization, autofocus performance, shooting speed, ISO range, and video capabilities. Leica cameras often prioritize manual controls and a straightforward user interface.