Why the Leica M10 is the Perfect Camera for Street Photography

If you're a street photographer, you know that finding the right camera is crucial for capturing the perfect moment. The Leica M10, with its compact size, powerful performance, and classic Leica design, is an ideal choice for street photographers looking to capture stunning images that truly capture the essence of their surroundings.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Leica M10 article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 18 2017

Announced

24 megapixels

Resolution

BrandLeica
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorCMOS
Weight660g
MSRP$6595USD

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Overview of the M10

As a street photographer, you need a camera that can keep up with your fast-paced world and capture the beauty and energy of the streets. That's where the Leica M10 comes in. The latest iteration of the legendary Leica M series, the M10 is a truly modern camera that offers incredible image quality, a small and discreet form factor, and the classic Leica design that has made the brand one of the most beloved in the world of photography. In this article, we'll explore why the Leica M10 is the perfect camera for street photography and what makes it stand out from the competition.

Leica M10 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Leica M10 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High-quality lens
Iconic design
Easy to use
Great image detail
Excellent low-light performance
Sharp and accurate focus
Wide range of compatible lenses
Durable build quality
Compact and lightweight

Cons

Expensive
Limited video capabilities
No built-in image stabilization
Manual focus only
Slow write speeds
Limited ISO range
No touchscreen controls
No built-in electronic viewfinder
No autofocus system.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Leica M10

Weather sealed
Dimensions139 x 39 x 80mm
Weight660g
Thickness80mm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Leica M10 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderOptical (rangefinder)
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution1,037k dots
Body typeRangefinder-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,037k dots. This makes the Leica M10 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

M10 includes a optical (rangefinder) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.73x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Leica M10 has a 24MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 24 pixels. Leica M10 has a native ISO range of 100 - 50000 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Jan 18 2017

Announced

100 - 50000

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution5952 x 3992 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

86 / 102

Color Depth

24.4 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

13.3 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

2133 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Leica M10 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the M10 is above average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Full frame

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life210 shots
Battery ModelBP-SCL5
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Leica M10 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Leica M10 uses the BP-SCL5 model of battery pack. This is rated for 210 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Leica M10 does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Leica M10 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

Leica M10 does not have autofocus (AF)

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Leica M10?

The Leica M10 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Leica M10 weather sealed?

No the M10 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Leica M10 announced?

The Leica M10 was announced on Jan 18 2017

Does the Leica M10 have in-body image stabilization?

No the M10 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Leica M10?

The M10 has a native ISO range of 100-50000, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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