Leica Gives The M10 an Analog Makeover

The latest version of the M10 digital rangefinder camera is described by Leica as having a “digital heart, analog soul”. The analog elements of the M10-D are all external, starting with replacing the monitor screen with a large dial for setting exposure compensation. This control also serves as the camera’s power switch. More interesting is the provision of a swing-out thumbrest which looks very much like a film advance lever. Otherwise, the M10-D has just a smattering of external controls – dials for setting the shutter speeds and ISO values, an input wheel and a couple of function buttons.

However, the M10-D also has built-in WiFi, enabling image review to be performed via a paired smartphone or tablet running the new Leica FOTOS app. This also allows for remote control of the camera and the setting of other key capture functions such as the file format (JPEG or Adobe DNG RAW) and white balance. Like the M10-P, the M10-D goes without the distinctive Leica ‘red dot’ logo on its front panel, and has the classic “Leica” branding script in white on the top plate.

On the inside, the M10-D is the same as the other M10 variants with a full-35mm format CMOS sensor with 24 megapixels (effective) resolution and mated to Leica’s ‘Maestro II’ processor. It has a 2.0 GB buffer memory and a single memory card slot for SD format devices (up to 2.0 TB SDXC). The sensitivity range is equivalent to ISO 100 to 50,000, and continuous shooting is possible at up to 5.0 fps. The bodyshell comprises a diecast magnesium alloy chassis with brass top and bottom plates. The viewfinder is, of course, optical with brightline image frames and automatic parallax correction. The Leica M10-D is available now from the Leica Stores in Sydney and Melbourne, priced at $11,950 body only. For more information visit https://au.leica-camera.com