Today Leica Camera announced their new entry level Leica M Typ 262 digital rangefinder. The new M model is basically the “light” or the “M-E” version of the current M Typ 240. The main differences compared to the M 240 model are:
- no video
- no LiveView
- 100g lighter (
body madetop plate made of durable aluminum) - smaller Leica red dot logo
- quieter shutter compared to the M 240
- the camera’s menu consists only of two pages
- body design closer to the M9
- Price: € 5,500/£4,050 (incl. VAT), $5,195 in the US
Pre-order links:
Shipping starts on November 25th. Sample photos can be found here. Additional pictures, details and press text:
- Compact digital M camera concentrating solely on the traditional rangefinder focusing and picture taking methods
- Top plate made from durable aluminum, making it lighter
- Streamlined and simplified menu system, consisting of only 2 pages
- Dedicated button on the back of the camera for White Balance (WB)
- Quieter shutter mechanism for more discreet shooting
- 24 megapixel CMOS sensor (still-pictures only) ensures exceptional image quality (same as M/M-P Typ 240)
- Leica Maestro processor for fast recording of captured images
- ISO values up to 6400 ensure great quality images in low light
- Fast and accurate manual focusing
- All the essential controls and functions logically and ergonomically placed
- LCD made of scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass
Leica M (Typ 262): Focusing on the essentials of M rangefinder photography
19 November 2015
Leica Camera has introduced the Leica M (Typ 262) into its digital rangefinder camera range, joining the Leica M and M-P (Typ 240) and the Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246), now giving photographers the choice of four models.
Incorporating rangefinder technology perfected over many decades, the new M (Typ 262) represents Leica M photography in its purest form, concentrating on the most essential features, combined with intuitive handling and discreet styling. This allows users to focus on the fascination of M photography and, ultimately, on capturing the decisive moment.
As with the other digital M cameras, the Leica M (Typ 262) features a high-resolution CMOS full-frame sensor, designed exclusively for rangefinder photography, but excludes video recording and Live View. The 24-megapixel sensor delivers exceptional image quality and extreme sensitivity, and makes the Leica M (Typ 262) the ideal camera for photography in available light situations. At the same time, the camera’s Maestro processor guarantees fast processing of captured images, ensuring that it is immediately ready to shoot.
The clear and practical outer design of the Leica M (Typ 262) also focuses on the essentials. The top plate is made from durable aluminium, making the camera around 100g lighter, and even more ergonomic than its sister models. The words ’Made in Germany’ are engraved on the back of the camera. Further differences include a smaller Leica logo and a ‘step’ at the end of the top plate, which are both features reminiscent of the design of the Leica M9.
For maximum discretion when shooting, the Leica M (Typ 262) shutter is barely audible – an invaluable advantage in situations where the photographer needs to remain unobtrusive. As an aid to this, the camera features a shutter cocking system that is considerably quieter in single exposure mode than that of the M (Typ 240), and enables a shutter release frequency of up to two frames per second. In continuous mode, the M (Typ 262) has the same sequential shooting speed as its sister model and shoots up to three frames per second.
