Leica today launches the long-awaited Leica M EV1 as a new and revolutionary segment of the venerable M-System. It is the first Leica camera with M-Mount to feature an integrated electronic viewfinder in place of the optical rangefinder, which has been a feature of the range since the M3 was launched in 1954.
The company claims that the M EV1 “combines the advantages of an EVF with the traditional values of the M-System. Not only does it make joining the world of M photography easier, but it also enables reliable and comfortable focusing irrespective of visual acuity — in particular when using the fast Leica Summilux and Noctilux lenses at very shallow depths of field, and when composing images with ultra-wide-angle, telephoto and macro lenses”.
Photography pioneer
According to the company, Leica Camera has been innovating for a century. As the first series-produced 35mm camera, the Leica I revolutionised photography back in 1925. The Leica M is considered its successor and exemplifies the essence of the Leica philosophy like no other.
“With iconic design, precision craftsmanship ‘Made in Germany’ and uncompromising quality, it has embodied the values and legacy of the brand for over 70 years by harnessing innovation and forward-looking technology.
“Since its introduction, the Leica M has been systematically refined with each new generation, such as in 2006, when Leica transported the soul of the analogue M camera to the digital age with the M8.
“The current models — such as the M11 Monochrom with its black-and-white sensor, the M11-D with no display, the M11-P with Content Credentials Technology, and the analogue M6, MP and M-A — all demonstrate the ingenuity and individuality of the M-System.”
Customer demand
By introducing an EVF to the M camera, Leica says it is fulfilling a frequent customer request and expanding the range of applications for seasoned M users. Thanks to its intuitive operation, new customers will also find it easier to delve into the world of the M-System.
The M EV1 continues the tradition, with functional and iconic design mirroring that of the existing M11 family. At the same time, it offers, according to Leica, a distinct identity and “purist front” which sets it apart from the rest of the range. A new leatherette covering featuring a diamond pattern is a further distinguishing factor of this new camera.
The electronic viewfinder gives a clear image of the resulting photograph, in line with the lens used, focal length and aperture. The direct preview of the field of view and plane of focus is advantageous, especially when it comes to composing images with ultra-wide-angle and telephoto lenses.
Creative possibilities
The precise, real-time exposure preview, provides additional certainty and unleashes new creative possibilities through targeted under, and over, exposure. With the integrated diopter compensation, the viewfinder can be adapted to the user’s own visual requirements. A setting wheel allows an adjustment between -4 and +2 diopters.
The high-resolution 5.76 megapixel electronic viewfinder is claimed to provide brilliant image quality with exceptional clarity and natural colour rendering. If desired, relevant exposure data — such as shutter speed, ISO, and exposure value — can be shown around the image, which remains completely uncovered. The automatic switch between viewfinder and touch panel is carried out by an eye sensor.
Focus aids
According to Leica, the integrated focus assist, already found in other Leica cameras, is particularly user-friendly. Focus peaking highlights the active plane of focus with overlaid colour, allowing precise adjustment of the desired image area in real time.
The focus zoom also makes manual focusing easier using two freely selectable magnification factors, either automatically by turning the focus ring or manually via one of the function buttons. This enables precise focusing, in particular when using fast lenses at a shallow depth of field and in the macro range.
New function lever
The lever at the front of the camera, which is used in rangefinder M cameras to preview bright-line frames, has been given a useful function on the Leica M EV1: this control can be assigned to one of the focus assists or the 1.3× or 1.8× digital zoom. With a simple touch to the right or left, the focus assist can be activated or deactivated quickly and comfortably as the situation requires.
According to the company, “the new M-Camera has been engineered based on the Leica M11 and its full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor with Triple Resolution Technology, which is admired for its precise colour rendering, impressive detail resolution, high dynamic range and excellent noise behaviour”.
Images can be saved in either DNG or JPEG format at a resolution of 60, 36 or 18 megapixels. The Maestro III chip processes image data at the highest resolution quickly and saves them either on the 64 GB internal memory or an SD card.
Connectivity
The camera can be quickly and conveniently connected with the Leica FOTOS App using Bluetooth. Images can also be sent to smartphones energy efficiently in the background using Bluetooth Low-Energy technology.
Just like the M11-P and M11-D, the new Leica M EV1 supports Content Credentials. With this groundbreaking technology by the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI), a digital signature is added to images, which verifies their origins and any post-processing and avoids the possibility of tampering.
Availability and pricing
The Leica M EV1 will be available worldwide at Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store and authorised dealers from the 23 October 2025. The recommended retail price is £6,840 | €7.950 | $8,995. For comfortable handling and additional hold, a hand grip with a matching leatherette covering is available for £340.00 | €395.00 | $460.00. All UK and Euro prices include approximately 20 percent tax, while US prices are before local taxes.
Technical specification
| More on the Leica M | |
| Review of the Leica M11 | Beginner tries rangefinder focusing |
| Leica M11-D reviewed | M with EVF: The long road to today |
NOTICE: This device has not been authorized in the United States of America as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased in the United States of America until authorization is obtained.
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The new M EV1 ticks boxes that the M11 does not and will thus affect M11 sales. Will resultant lower M11 demand affect M11’s future production prospects? Some recent M11 buyers might be wishing they’d waited for the M EV1 announcement. There could be more than a few M11 bodies traded in for the M EV1 – with resultant ‘low’ trade-in values – unless Leica sponsors same. Are there sufficient traditional digital rangefinder users wanting s/h M11 bodies to ‘Hoover up’ the likely influx of s/h M11 bodies?
Wonderful news! This is a brilliant M option. I cannot imagine the wait list – preorder yesterday!