Leica has finally revealed its M (Typ 262) digital rangefinder camera. This camera is the latest from the company's M line, which joins the Leica M, M-P (Typ 240) and the M Monochrome (Typ 246) digital camera models.
According to Leica, the new camera offers the purest form of photography. The company designed this particular camera to focus on features and anything else it views as essential.
The interesting thing about this camera is the fact that it is no slouch. M (Typ 262) packs a punch with its 24-megapixel CMOS sensor alongside the Maestro, image processor. It can deliver images at a maximum resolution of 5,952 x 3m976 pixels, and supports shooting in JPEG and RAW.
If you're hoping to take professional or amateur images for Reuters, you'll need this camera because the company only accepts JPEG pictures these days.
Sadly, enough, there's no image stabilization here, but it does have an ISO range that goes from 100 to 6,400.
Users of the M (Typ 262) will realize that it doesn't come with digital focus, only manual. This is due in part to the model. Furthermore, there's a three-inch LCD display on the back of the camera with around 920,000 dots along with an optical rangefinder. Some might be surprised the camera doesn't come with integrated flash, but worry not, external is supported.
Bear in mind continuous shooting will max at just three frames per second. Also, do not play with the idea of recording videos with the M (Typ 262) because it doesn't come with a microphone or a speaker. Quite surprising, but it would seem taking images is more essential than taking videos.
When it comes down to storage, the camera supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. The camera has a USB 2.0 port and a remote control, and weighs in at around 680 grams.
If you're making plans to purchase this camera, it won't be cheap. It costs $5,195 per model, which is quite expensive for something that is unable to shoot videos and lacks integrated flash.
