M10vs A7
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.
Camera History & Full-Frame Introduction — A7 (2013): The camera that changed photography — the world's first compact full-frame mirrorless, the A7 launched a product family that redefined what was possible.
Who should buy what
M10 (2017)
- Serious photographers who want to slow down
- Street and documentary photographers
- Leica M-mount lens owners
A7 (2013)
- Photographers interested in the camera that launched the full-frame mirrorless era
- Budget-conscious buyers who want to experience full-frame image quality at minimal cost
- Sony FE system users who want the original A7 for sentimental or historical value
- Those adapting vintage lenses who want full-frame with phase-detect AF at low cost
Quick take: The a7 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a7 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | M10 (2017) | A7 (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,000 | £299 |
| Sensor | 24MP Full-Frame CMOS | 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.0MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | — | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Manual focus (rangefinder coupled) | 117 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points |
| Stabilisation | None | None |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 660g (with battery) | 474g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 139 × 80 × 38.5mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | Optical rangefinder, 0.73× magnification | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.04M dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | Leica M-mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, Wi-Fi | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | M10 | A7 |
|---|---|---|
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Astrophotography | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Wildlife | — |
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