Leica · Camera History

Leica M Series

The rangefinder that defined a century of photography.

The Leica M is the world's most iconic camera system — a rangefinder with a 70-year lineage. The M10 returned to Leica's roots with a thinner, cleaner design and a deliberately video-free 24MP experience. The M10-R pushed resolution to 40MP; the M11 refined the formula further with a BSI sensor available in multiple resolutions. All are manual-focus cameras for photographers who want to slow down.

📷 5 generations 💷 £ → £8300 current

Generation 1

Leica M10

£4000 Released 2017 The M10 returned Leica to its roots — thinner, cleaner, and video-free by design. The 24MP sensor is the perfect resolution for a manual-focus rangefinder. The simplified control layout respects the M tradition without digital clutter. A camera for photographers who want to slow down and engage with every frame. One of the most satisfying cameras to use — assuming you have M-mount glass to pair with it.

24MP Manual focus (rangefinder coupled) None 5fps ~220 shots (CIPA) 660g (with battery)

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Generation 2

Leica Leica M10-R

£5200 Released 2020 40MP rangefinder photography — a deliberate, contemplative experience.

41MP None Manual focus — optical rangefinder None 5fps 220 shots (CIPA) 660g

What's new in this generation

Resolution: 41MP (+17MP)
Price: +£1,200 vs previous

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Generation 3

Leica M11-P

£7500 Released 2023 The M11-P is the M11 made more discreet and verifiable — all-black with no logo, and the world's first camera with Content Credentials built in. The same 60MP rangefinder brilliance as the M11, with added significance for documentary and journalistic work where image authenticity cannot be disputed.

60MP Manual focus rangefinder (no autofocus) 5fps ~700 shots (CIPA) 530g (body only)

What's new in this generation

Resolution: 60MP (+19MP)
Price: +£2,300 vs previous

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Generation 4

Leica Leica M11

£7999 Released 2022 60MP of full-frame resolution in the thinnest digital M ever made — the M11 is the definitive expression of Leica's rangefinder tradition.

60MP None Manual focus only (rangefinder coupled) None 4.5fps 700 shots (CIPA) 530g body only

What's new in this generation

Price: +£499 vs previous

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Current generation

Leica M11 Monochrom

£8300 Released 2023 The M11 Monochrom is the finest black-and-white camera in the world. A 60MP sensor with no colour filter array produces sharpness and tonal depth no colour camera can match — combined with extended high-ISO performance. Manual focus, no video, and an extraordinary price make it a specialist instrument, but for dedicated B&W photographers it is unmatched.

60MP Manual focus rangefinder (no autofocus) 5fps ~700 shots (CIPA) 530g (body only)

What's new in this generation

Price: +£301 vs previous

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All generations at a glance

Spec	M10 (2017)	Leica M10-R (2020)	M11-P (2023)	Leica M11 (2022)	M11 Monochrom (2023)
Price	£4000	£5200	£7500	£7999	£8300
Resolution	24MP	41MP	60MP	60MP	60MP
Video	—	None	—	None	—
Stabilisation	None	None	—	None	—
Burst Rate	5fps	5fps	5fps	4.5fps	5fps
Battery	~220 shots (CIPA)	220 shots (CIPA)	~700 shots (CIPA)	700 shots (CIPA)	~700 shots (CIPA)
Weather Sealed	No	No	No	No	No
Weight	660g (with battery)	660g	530g (body only)	530g body only	530g (body only)