Leica M (Typ 240)

• introduced in September of 2012³¹⁸
• The camera was announced at Photokina, alongside the M-E, but it was not delivered until 2013³¹⁸
• The bottom plate has been redesigned. The tripod mounting hole is now located in the chassis of the camera instead of bottom plate²⁹⁸
• The Multifunction Handgrip is slightly taller at the base compared to the Handgrip M to accommodate the additional electronics. On the backside, there are four ports located beneath two weather-sealed rubber caps. The left side features a USB port for connecting to a computer and a power input for external power supply to the camera. On the right side, you'll find a PC sync socket and a new LEMO-style SCA connector designed for the TTL flash bracket accessory²⁹⁸.
• The flash bracket attaches to the bottom of the Multifunction Handgrip, enabling the use of a TTL flash, such as the Leica SF58, in full TTL mode off-camera, while still utilizing the hot shoe for an electronic viewfinder (EVF)²⁹⁸.
• The Multifunction Handgrip features a built-in GPS in the handle that automatically embeds GPS information into the file metadata. It can also update time zone, date, and time automatically, which is beneficial for traveling across time zones²⁹⁸.
• there is a small section of the metal plate on the bottom plate that has been cut away and filled with plastic. This modification was made to eliminate signal interference with Wi-Fi SD cards. The interior is now entirely metal instead of featuring a plastic lining²⁹⁸.
• The new battery in the M model is larger than the one found in the M9. It features a power rating of 1800 mAh and a voltage of 7.4 V. This increase in battery size is necessary to power the 3-inch screen for live view functionality, which requires both sensor and processing power to capture image data and display it on screen. Combined with more efficient electronics—specifically the Maestro ASIC compared to the generic DSPs used in the M9—the M model can achieve approximately 400 to 500 shots in live view. This translates to about 5 hours of continuous usage, or around 800 to 1000 shots when using the optical viewfinder²⁹⁸.
• The camera features a brand-new shutter made by Copal, designed to facilitate Live View (LV) shooting. When you press the LV button, the shutter opens. To take a photo, you must depress the shutter to initiate exposure, which requires the shutter to close and then reopen²⁹⁸.
• This is a mirrorless camera²⁹⁸
• When shooting continuously in LV mode, the frame rate has been increased to 3 frames per second (fps). Equipped with a Maestro image processor and a 1GB buffer²⁹⁸.
• the LED-illuminated frame lines in the viewfinder look identical to those in the M9 Titanium²⁹⁸.
• The frame lines are still in three sets: 28/90, 35/135 and 50/75²⁹⁸.
• The illumination of the frame lines is now entirely internal. The brightness of the frame lines adjusts based on ambient light and can be set by the user to either red or white²⁹⁸.
• 3” 920000 pixel LCD screen with Gorilla Glass²⁹⁸
• Has focus peaking²⁹⁸
• A significant advancement in the evolution of digital M cameras occurred after the release of the M9. Initially, like many competitors, Leica opted for CCD sensors, known for their superior image quality at the time but also for high energy consumption, which made video capture impossible. While CCD sensors dominated the market, CMOS chips began with an unfavorable reputation. However, over time, CMOS sensors evolved to outperform their CCD counterparts and have since largely replaced them in the camera industry³⁵⁷.
• Leica was well-prepared for this transition. A specialized team led by Dr. Volker Zimmer focused on in-house development of digital photography technology and firmware, which included contributions to the design of processors and sensors. This expert group worked not only on the Leica M series but also on the S and SL models. By developing these technologies in-house, Leica reduced its dependence on external suppliers and was able to pursue the company's philosophy for its digital cameras more effectively. The outcome of these efforts was the Leica M (Typ 240), released in 2012, featuring a newly developed CMOS sensor and a resolution of 24 MP³⁵⁷.
• The more energy-efficient image sensor enabled the introduction of a movie mode—a first for the M series. This feature came with a separate shutter release button. However, it soon became apparent that the M's video capabilities were rarely utilized, and customers expressed dissatisfaction with the complex menu structure. M photographers tend to prioritize still images and prefer a camera that focuses on the essentials. Consequently, as Leica developed the SL model, the decision was made to exclude video features from future M generations³⁵⁷.
• Thanks to the CMOS sensor, the M (Typ 240) also became the first M model to include a Live View mode. Alongside the traditional rangefinder, users could now compose images using the camera's rear display or the attachable Visoflex electronic viewfinder, which paid homage to Leica's history³⁵⁷.
• This development finally opened up the M System to non-native lenses, which are not capable of mechanically communicating their focus settings to the rangefinder. However, these lenses can be comfortably focused in Live View mode with features such as Focus Peaking. With the appropriate adapter, photographers can now confidently use lenses from the R System on their Leica M cameras. Live View mode also allows M models from the M (Typ 240) onwards to utilize longer focal lengths and zoom lenses, thereby expanding the range of new subjects and visual possibilities³⁵⁷.
• Leica made significant advancements with the Maestro processor, first introduced in the M (Typ 240). This processor ensures fast performance despite the camera's high resolution and Live View capabilities. Its elaborate, mostly in-house development was feasible because it was also employed in the S and SL series. The Maestro and its successors continue to be the driving force behind Leica's larger digital cameras to this day³⁵⁷.
• With the M (Typ 240), Leica aimed to move away from the tradition of using sequential numbers for each camera generation, instead borrowing a naming style from the automotive industry. This attempt was ultimately isolated, as Leica later reverted to their previous naming method³⁵⁷.
• The M (Typ 240) built upon the successes of its predecessor by offering increased resolution and sensitivity that some photographers felt was lacking in the M9. Even today, 24 megapixels are widely considered the 'sweet spot' for 35mm cameras. This resolution can handle virtually all shooting scenarios while still fully utilizing almost all lenses and settings³⁵⁷.
• Produced between 2012 and 2017, the Leica M (Typ 240) transitioned from the CCD sensor used previously to a CMOS image sensor. In this case, Leica implemented a specially developed 24-megapixel CMOS sensor with a sensitivity range from ISO 100 to 6400. The introduction of the CMOS sensor enabled Live View mode for the first time, allowing users to view through the lens on a larger rear display or through the electronic EVF2 clip-on viewfinder known as Visoflex, which originated with the X2. This feature allowed for electronically supported manual focusing, even with third-party lenses from the Leica R System, for which corresponding adapters are available³⁵⁷.
• Additionally, the M (Typ 240) became the first camera of its kind to record videos in Full HD format, featuring a separate shutter release on the top. These new capabilities were made possible thanks to the Maestro processor, which had previously been used in the Leica S2. For the first time in a series model, the additional window for illuminating the framelines was removed, and LEDs were used instead—a feature trialed first in the special M9 Titan model³⁵⁷.
• The new handgrip for the M (Typ 240) integrated a GPS receiver, USB port, and flash sockets, which were not typically found on the camera. Starting with this model, Leica experimented with a new naming scheme, although this was later reversed³⁵⁷.
• Special Editions of Leica M (Typ 240):