M10vs A7 IV
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.
Portrait & Wedding Photography — A7 IV (2021): The full-frame portrait benchmark — 33MP, AI Eye AF, and exceptional skin-tone rendering in a pro-grade hybrid body.
Who should buy what
M10 (2017)
- Serious photographers who want to slow down
- Street and documentary photographers
- Leica M-mount lens owners
A7 IV (2021)
- Working photographers who want a reliable full-frame all-rounder
- Portrait, wedding, and event photographers needing 33MP and fast AF
- A7 III owners ready for a major upgrade in resolution, AF, and video
- Hybrid shooters who want 4K/60p and 33MP stills in one dependable body
Quick take: The a7 iv has the highest resolution at 33mp; the a7 iv is the most affordable; only the a7 iv is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | M10 (2017) | A7 IV (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,000 | £2,299 |
| Sensor | 24MP Full-Frame CMOS | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.0MP | 33.0MP |
| Video | — | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | Manual focus (rangefinder coupled) | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | None | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ~580 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 660g (with battery) | 659g body only |
| Dimensions | 139 × 80 × 38.5mm | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Optical rangefinder, 0.73× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.04M dots | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica M-mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual slots: CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, Wi-Fi | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | M10 | A7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Street | — | |
| Portrait | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Astrophotography | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Studio Portraits | — | |
| Outdoor Portraits | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — |
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