M10vs Z7 II
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Street & Documentary — M10 (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.
Landscape & Studio / High-Resolution — Z7 II (2020): The Z7 II is a landscape and studio camera first, everything else second. 45.7MP with weather sealing and dual card slots is a compelling package. If you need resolution, it delivers. If you don't, the Z6 II is the smarter buy.
Who should buy what
M10 (2017)
- Serious photographers who want to slow down
- Street and documentary photographers
- Leica M-mount lens owners
Z7 II (2020)
- Landscape photographers who print large or need to crop significantly
- Studio and commercial photographers requiring maximum resolution
- Architecture photographers where detail is non-negotiable
- Fine-art photographers who shoot primarily from a tripod
Quick take: The z7 ii has the highest resolution at 46mp; the z7 ii is the most affordable; only the z7 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | M10 (2017) | Z7 II (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,000 | £2,699 |
| Sensor | 24MP Full-Frame CMOS | 45.7MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.0MP | 45.7MP |
| Video | — | 4K/60p, 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Manual focus (rangefinder coupled) | Phase-detect, 493 points, Eye AF, subject tracking |
| Stabilisation | None | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops (up to 6 stops with VR lenses) |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ~420 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 660g (with battery) | 705g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 139 × 80 × 38.5mm | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Optical rangefinder, 0.73× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.04M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.1M dots |
| Mount | Leica M-mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual card: 1× CFexpress Type B / XQD + 1× SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, Wi-Fi | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | M10 | Z7 II |
|---|---|---|
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Astrophotography | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Wildlife | ||
| Video | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history