When a brand like Leica unveils a new model in its legendary M-series—a lineage that’s defined purity in photography for seven decades—it’s worth paying attention. The new Leica M EV1 is that kind of moment: a bold evolution that honors Leica heritage while quietly rewriting what it means to be an “M.”

Here at Leica Hunter, we live for these moments—the intersection of tradition and innovation, the fine line between tool and art. The M EV1 doesn’t just straddle that line; it redraws it entirely.

Why This Camera Matters

Since 1954, the M-series has been Leica’s mechanical heartbeat—manual focus, mechanical precision, and the iconic rangefinder optical viewfinder. The M EV1 breaks that sacred rule. The rangefinder is gone. In its place: a crisp 5.76-million-dot electronic viewfinder.

That single change shifts the Leica universe. For some, it’s heresy; for others, long-awaited progress. Leica has always been about seeing differently—and now, literally, you can.

The Core of It: Specs and Highlights

Sensor: 60.3 MP full-frame BSI CMOS with Leica’s “Triple Resolution” modes (60 / 36 / 18 MP).
Lens Mount: Leica M, fully compatible with every legendary M lens since 1954.
Viewfinder: 5.76 M-dot EVF, 0.76× magnification—finally, a live exposure and focus preview in an M.
Focus Tools: Focus peaking, magnification, and digital zoom (1.3× / 1.8×) make manual focusing sharper than ever.
Storage: 64 GB internal memory + UHS-II SD slot.
Connectivity: USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Leica FOTOS app, and Content Credentials for image authenticity.
Body: Hand-assembled in Germany from magnesium and aluminum, wrapped in a diamond-pattern leatherette that nods to the Q3’s sleekness.
Weight: 484 g body-only—balanced, refined, and ready for daily carry.
Price: £6,840 body-only.

Design and Feel

Pick it up, and it’s unmistakably a Leica: minimalist controls, jewel-like machining, and a tactile heft that speaks of permanence.

But the EV1 adds new gestures to the familiar language:

The old bright-frame lever is now a focus-assist toggle—smart, and surprisingly intuitive.
The new diamond-pattern grip feels modern and more assured in the hand.
The EVF brings a huge ergonomic leap. Framing a 21 mm Summilux or a 90 mm APO? What you see is finally what you get.
Battery life, however, reminds you this is a digital Leica: carry a spare.

The M EV1 feels like the bridge between two worlds—the analog sensibility of the M3, reborn in a mirrorless mindset.

The Imaging Experience

The M EV1 shares the same core sensor and Maestro III processor as the M11 and M11-P—meaning class-leading dynamic range, excellent color depth, and Leica’s signature microcontrast that makes files sing.

Triple Resolution Mode lets you downsample to 36 MP or 18 MP without cropping, lowering noise and increasing tonal smoothness.
Focus Peaking finally makes the most of fast glass—those razor-thin Summilux and Noctilux depths of field are now far easier to hit.
Live View removes parallax entirely: the frame you compose is the frame you capture.
No video—and deliberately so. The EV1 is unapologetically a still photographer’s machine.

In practice, the results are sublime. Skin tones are cinematic, highlights roll gently, and M-lenses old and new reveal their full character.

The Lineup Context

Think of the M EV1 as the parallel twin to the M11, not a replacement.

The M11 remains for rangefinder purists—the last bastion of mechanical-optical romance.
The M EV1 is its modern mirror twin: same soul, new sight.
The Q3 offers convenience and autofocus, but no lens swapping. The EV1 keeps the modular, tactile joy of M-mount photography intact.

For photographers who love M glass but crave precision focus, the EV1 might just be the Leica they’ve been waiting for.

Who It’s For (and Who It Isn’t)

You’ll love it if you:

Own M lenses and want a modern workflow without abandoning the Leica aesthetic.
Crave a digital rangefinder experience with actual focus precision.
Value build, manual craftsmanship, and still-photography purity over features.

You might pass if you:

Want autofocus, burst speed, or video.
Live for the mechanical poetry of the optical rangefinder window.
Want “value”—this is Leica, not logic.

The Leica Hunter Take

At Leica Hunter, we see the M EV1 as more than a camera—it’s a statement of intent. Leica isn’t abandoning its heritage; it’s refining it for a generation that grew up with EVFs but still craves craftsmanship.

If it were a watch, the M EV1 would be something like a Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Openworked—the same intricate mechanics, but with a sapphire window revealing its evolution.

The M EV1 is the most “usable” M ever made—and perhaps the most controversial. But if you believe in the craft of seeing, and you appreciate a tool that rewards patience, it may just be the most Leica Leica yet.

A New Chapter for the M-System: Leica M EV1