The New Leica M10
An iconic camera system sets standards yet again: The perfect
balance of long-established traditions and technical innovation
in the Leica M10 embodies the essence of everything that is
truly important for photography like no other camera before.
Although all its functions have been adapted to meet the
precise needs of contemporary photography, there has been
no deviation from the essential principles of the legendary
M-System. Every single component and every technical
solution concentrates uncompromisingly on photography.
With its more compact dimensions, improved performance
and even more intuitive handling, the Leica M10 sets a new
milestone in the ongoing history of Leica M photography.
The form factor: analogue dimensions enter the digital age
Many photographers who appreciate the dimensions of
analogue M-Models due to their ideal ergonomics and perfect
fit in the hands expressed their wishes for precisely this for
digital M-Cameras. Leica has now realised these dream
dimensions – with a top plate depth of only 33.75 millimeters,
a whole four millimeters less than that of its close relative, the
Leica M (Typ 240). The Leica M10 is now the slimmest digital
M of all time.
The rangefinder: a precise window on the world
The rangefinder has always played an extremely important role
in the glorious heritage of the Leica M-System. A number of
important aspects of this legendary focusing technology have
now been further optimised in the Leica M10: To improve the
view of the subject, the field of view has been enlarged by 30
percent and the magnification factor has been increased to
0.73. Eye-relief – the optimum distance of the eye from the
viewfinder eyepiece – has also been considerably increased.
Thanks to a 50 percent increase in this distance, the viewfinder is
much more comfortable to use, particularly for photographers
who wear glasses.
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The sensor: the digital canvas
The key component of the Leica M10 is the 24 MP, full-frame
CMOS sensor developed especially for this camera. Its new
technology leads to significant improvements in all parameters
relevant to imaging performance: impressive dynamic range,
excellent contrast rendition, exceptional sharpness and
finest resolution of details. Its unique pixel and microlens
architecture enables a particularly large aperture, i.e. even rays
of light a rriving at the sensor from oblique angles are precisely
captured by its photodiodes – this has been further improved
in comparison with the previous generation. The glass cover
plate of the sensor acts as an infrared cut-off filter and thus also
avoids undesirable refraction of incoming light by additional
layers of glass. The omission of a low-pass filter also ensures
that the Leica M10 delivers maximum sharpness. This leads
to significantly better imaging results, especially in the case of
wide-angles and very fast lenses.
Thanks to the new design of the sensor of the Leica M10, the ISO
sensitivity range has been expanded. It now allows exposures
at values between ISO 100 and 50,000 with considerably
improved noise characteristics at higher ISO settings. The
Leica M10 opens up entirely new areas of photography and
delivers exceptional imaging performance even in difficult
lighting conditions.
Image processing electronics: the next quality level
The latest-generation Maestro II image processor of the M10
reflects the state-of-the-art of advanced processor technology.
In combination with the equally new 24 MP sensor, this ensures
that all exposures captured impress with exceptionally brilliant
image quality. Thanks to a 2 GB buffer memory and sequential
shooting at up to five frames per second at full resolution,
photographers will never again miss the decisive moment. The
Leica M10 is the fastest M-Camera ever made.