Leica’s latest M-series camera has a new feature — or lack thereof — that already has fans up in arms. For the first time, the EV1 mirrorless model simply ditches the iconic rangefinder in favor of an EVF (electronic viewfinder), bringing perhaps more practicality for some photographers while bumming out the purists. But don’t view this as an end of an era but rather an expansion of the brand’s offerings to different styles of shooting
Seven Decades of Rangefinders, Gone
Since 1954, when the M3 debuted at Photokina with its revolutionary combined viewfinder/rangefinder window and M bayonet mount, every M-series camera has maintained that optical rangefinder DNA. Through the M6’s internal metering era, the digital transition with the 2006 M8, and right up to last year’s M11-P with Content Credentials tech, Leica held the line. The rangefinder was the M-system’s soul — that mechanical assembly of mirrors and prisms providing a direct, unfiltered window to reality. Photographers like Cartier-Bresson called his Leica “the extension of my eye.” Now, the M EV1 swaps all that analog heritage for a 5.76-megapixel electronic screen.
The move isn’t random though. Rangefinders have their quirks. They show an offset view (not through the lens), struggle with ultra-wide and telephoto focal lengths, and can’t preview depth of field or exposure in real time. The M EV1 solves these limitations while keeping everything else that makes an M-camera special — the compact form, manual focus, legendary build quality, and access to Leica’s exceptional M-mount glass.
What You’re Actually Getting
Built on the M11 platform, the EV1 packs the same 60-megapixel full-frame BSI CMOS sensor with Triple Resolution Technology (60MP, 36MP, or 18MP capture options) and the Maestro III processor. Paired with Leica’s color science, the combo delivers 15 stops of dynamic range and impressive noise control. The EVF itself is sharp and bright, accurately displaying what the sensor sees like exposure and depth of field. There’s diopter adjustment between -4 and +2, plus the usual digital assists like focus peaking and magnification zoom.
On the other hand, the front lever that normally previewed framelines on rangefinder bodies now toggles between focusing aids or digital zoom (1.3x or 1.8x). The camera also drops the dedicated ISO dial from recent M10 and M11 generations in favor of button-controlled adjustment — a change that actually speeds up workflow once you adapt to it.
Stripped down but not dumbed down, the M EV1 shoots continuous bursts at 4.5fps, handles shutter speeds from 1/4000th mechanically to 1/16,000th electronically, and includes 64GB of internal memory alongside SD card support. Like the M11-P, it supports Content Credentials for image authentication. There’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for the Leica FOTOS app. What you won’t get: video recording, autofocus, or a tilting rear screen. This is still a purist’s tool, just with a different viewfinder philosophy.
A New Look for the M
Without the rangefinder assembly, the M EV1’s front is notably cleaner — some might say starkly so. Gone are the signature viewfinder windows, replaced by a minimalist face wearing diamond-patterned leatherette borrowed from the Q-series. The little window next to the red dot logo is now an LED timer indicator. Handmade in Germany from magnesium and aluminum, the body weighs around 17oz without a lens, 1.6oz lighter than the brass-topped M11-P.
Spec Sheet
Model: Leica M EV1
Sensor: 60MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS with Triple Resolution Technology
Viewfinder: 5.76MP Electronic Viewfinder with diopter adjustment (-4 to +2)
Processor: Maestro III
Resolution Options: 60MP, 36MP, 18MP (DNG or JPEG)
Continuous Shooting: 4.5 fps
Shutter Speed: 1/4000s (mechanical), 1/16,000s (electronic)
Focus: Manual with focus peaking and magnification assist
Display: 2.95″ LCD, 2.32-million dots (fixed)
Storage: 64GB internal + SD card (UHS-II)
Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C
Battery Life: ~237 shots per charge (EVF use)
Special Features: Content Credentials support, custom function lever
Weight: 17.07oz (body only)
Mount: Leica M-mount
Video: None
Pricing & Availability
Priced at €7,950 (~$9,235), the Leica M EV1 is available now internationally, with U.S. availability delayed pending FCC approval. When it arrives stateside, expect a retail price of $8,995 for the black body. That’s roughly $845 less than the non-EVF-equipped M11-P.
Recap
Leica M EV1 Camera
Leica just dropped the M EV1, their first M-series camera in 70 years to ditch the iconic rangefinder for an electronic viewfinder — a move that’ll make the camera easier to use with ultra-wide and telephoto lenses while probably making purists grumble.
