Uncovering the Leica M-E Typ 220: Your Ultimate Guide to Capturing Timeless Photographs

If you're a lover of photography and have been searching for the perfect camera that captures timeless moments at its best, then the Leica M-E Typ 220 is the right choice for you. From its sleek design to its exceptional features, this camera is a must-have in your photography kit.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Leica M-E Typ 220 article cover photo

Key Features

Sep 17 2012

Announced

18 megapixels

Resolution

BrandLeica
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorCCD
Weight585g
MSRP$3995USD

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Overview of the M-E Typ 220

Photography has come a long way from blurry, low-quality images to high-definition pictures that tell a story. With the influx of digital cameras and phone cameras, it's no surprise that many individuals are looking for the perfect device to capture the moments that matter. The Leica M-E Typ 220 is an exceptional camera that offers a range of features that make it a worthwhile investment. This guide will delve deep into the camera's features, capabilities, and settings to help you unleash your inner creativity and capture stunning photographs that will stand the test of time. So, let's get started!

Leica M-E Typ 220 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Leica M-E Typ 220 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 pictures
Iconic design
Full-frame sensor
Simple and user-friendly
Exceptional sharpness
Accurate color rendering
Brilliant dynamic range

Cons

Expensive
No video recording
Manual focus only
Limited ISO range
No built-in image stabilization
Basic features compared to other cameras in the same price range
No autofocus.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Leica M-E Typ 220

Weather sealed
Dimensions139 x 80 x 37mm
Weight585g
Thickness37mm
Weight
Min
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Leica M-E Typ 220 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 Resolution230k dots
Body typeRangefinder-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 2.50" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Leica M-E Typ 220 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

M-E Typ 220 includes a optical (rangefinder) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of Unknown and a magnification of 0.68x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Leica M-E Typ 220 has a 18MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 18 pixels. Leica M-E Typ 220 has a native ISO range of 80 - 2500 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

Sep 17 2012

Announced

80 - 2500

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution5212 x 3472 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

69 / 102

Color Depth

22.7 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

11.7 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

787 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Leica M-E Typ 220 camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also 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 M-E Typ 220 is 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 card
Battery Life
Battery Model
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Leica M-E Typ 220 supports SD/SDHC card 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 M-E Typ 220 uses the undefined model of undefined. This is rated for undefined 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 M-E Typ 220 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 M-E Typ 220 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 M-E Typ 220 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 M-E Typ 220?

The Leica M-E Typ 220 features a CCD sensor

Is the Leica M-E Typ 220 weather sealed?

No the M-E Typ 220 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Leica M-E Typ 220 announced?

The Leica M-E Typ 220 was announced on Sep 17 2012

Does the Leica M-E Typ 220 have in-body image stabilization?

No the M-E Typ 220 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 M-E Typ 220?

The M-E Typ 220 has a native ISO range of 80-2500, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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