The unorthodox M model: LEICA M typ240
A review and Photo example of the LEICA M typ240.
Table of contents
Gallery
- The lens used to take the example photos is the SUMMILUX M 35mm with stopper.
Review
1．Overview
The Leica M typ240 is the second generation Leica M-mount digital camera with a 35mm full-frame sensor.
The Leica M9 replaced the problematic Kodak CCD sensor with a new generation 24MP CMOS sensor.
The name of this Leica M was thought to be the M10, the successor to the M9, but it was written as M alone and had the sub-name typ240. The sub-name system was used for a while on the successor cameras. However, the notation gradually became smaller, and it is barely still on the product leaflet, and it is rarely displayed in official places such as press releases, and has been practically abolished.
This is probably a naming inconsistency that is common at Leica.
The Leica M typ240 series has a video recording function that is not installed in cameras after the M10, and can shoot videos in full HD quality. However, the LEICA M-D Typ262, which does not have an LCD monitor with the same M model number, also omits the video recording function.
It supports live view, and in addition to using the rear LCD, an electronic viewfinder called EVF2 was also provided. This is the same as Olympus’ VF2, and the signal processing seems to be exactly the same, so you can use Olympus products as they are. Please note that it is not compatible with the successor VF3 and VF4, so you cannot use them. Also, like the video recording function, the LEICA M-D typ262 does not have an EVF terminal, so you cannot use an EVF.
Regarding the image sensor for the Leica M typ240 series, Digital Camera Watch states that it is a “24-megapixel CMOS “LEICA MAX 24 MP CMOS image sensor” from CMOSIS, Belgium,” and that it was designed by CMOSIS and manufactured by STMicrosystems.
For cameras after the M10, the names of companies involved in the design and manufacture of the sensor are no longer mentioned.
2．Usability
The Leica M typ240 is equipped with a 24 megapixel sensor, so I have no complaints about its everyday specifications.
As for the camera’s response, the time it takes to be able to shoot after turning it on is not a problem as long as you use it with a rangefinder. However, if you attach the Leica EVF2 EVF and shoot while using the EVF, the shooting response becomes noticeably worse. The poor response is a world apart from when using Leica R mount lenses with the LEICA SL typ601, so I have stopped using Leica R mount lenses with the Leica M typ240.
The change of the sensor, which is the heart of the camera, to a CMOS sensor is unpopular with some CCD sensor enthusiasts, but looking at the results of the shots, it is not a big problem because the flavor of the image can be changed depending on the adjustments.
The viewfinder magnification, which is important in the rangefinder specifications, continues to be 0.68x from the Leica M9. This does not seem small compared to the 0.72x of the film M6. The bright frame has been changed from a light-gathering type to an LED type, and there is no light-gathering window on the front of the camera, only the viewfinder window and the rangefinder window.
This is true of all rangefinder cameras, but the tendency for bright lenses with small maximum apertures and F-numbers to have poor focusing accuracy remains.
This camera is already more than 10 years old, and the overall specifications feel old. The minimum sensitivity starts at ISO 200, which is a little high. However, if you shoot with the correct settings, you won’t feel any saturation in the highlights.
The problem with this camera is that lenses with the rear lens close to the sensor, such as the Super-Angulon M 21mm, produce a flashy color cast around the edges of the image. The cyan color that appears around the edges of the screen is not noticeable on the rear LCD, but it is clearly visible on a PC monitor, so I was sometimes disappointed after shooting.
The battery capacity of the M typ240 is 13.32Wh (7.4V-1800mhA), which is about 40% larger than the M10’s 8.2Wh (7.4V-100mhA). The power consumption of the camera itself is different, and it is generally the case that the newer the camera, the lower the power consumption. However, the power consumption of digital cameras as a whole is high when using live view with the LCD, so I don’t think that the power consumption will change much when shooting with an optical viewfinder even if the camera is changed. When using it as a rangefinder camera, it is thought that the number of shots will increase with the larger battery capacity.
To protect the camera from drops and scratches, a body case was attached when shooting. As a result, the already thick body became even thicker and the camera felt less light. In this state, the thickness of the camera is about the same as a small SLR. However, it is thin enough compared to the LEICA S series, which is at the very top of the heavy cameras, but it is said that the comparison is wrong. Among Leica digital cameras, the only ones that are thicker than the M typ240 are the SL series and the V-LUX series.
I like the Leica M typ240 series, and have used three cameras: the standard M typ240, the M-P Safari model, and the M-P Silver. As mentioned above, the thick body has not received very good reviews from users, and even in the used market it is on the cheaper side among digital M-type Leicas. However, I like the sense of rigidity I feel from this thick body, the minimalist design without any bumps, and the shape that fits comfortably in the hand.
The slightly thick body is not exactly sophisticated in appearance, but I like the fact that it has a more analog feel than the M10 and M11.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the Leica M typ240 is a transitional camera that shows Leica’s hesitation towards the digital age.
This is evident in the fact that the M typ240 has a large body to accommodate the many functions and is equipped with a video recording function that seems unnecessary for an M-type Leica, while the successor camera, the M10, has returned to functions that are more practical as a still camera.
Even though it is a transitional camera, it is true that the M typ240 has sufficient performance as a still camera and has advantages such as the large capacity battery that allows you to take many shots.
Thickness of Camera
The thickness of the M typ240 camera is often a topic of discussion.
The top cover is 39mm thick, and the maximum thickness is 42mm, making the camera feel thicker thanks to its flat design.
This is a result of the technology used during manufacturing, and is the result of incorporating all the necessary digital functions.
| Camera name | カメラ厚み(mm) |
| M film camera | 33.5~38 |
| LEICA M8, LEICA M9, LEICA M-E(CCD) | 37 (top cover thickness) |
| LEICA M typ240, LEICA M-P typ240, LEICA M-E(CMOS) | 39 (top cover thickness) 42 (maximum thickness) |
| LEICA M10, LEICA M10-P, LEICA M10-R | 33.7 (top cover thickness) 38.5 (maximum thickness) |
| LEICA M11, LEICA M11-P | 33.7 (top cover thickness) 38.5 (maximum thickness) |
Specification・Model History
| Model name | M9 | M typ240 | M10 |
| Camera effective pixel count | 1800m | 2400m | 2400m |
| Number of recording pixels | 3,916 x 2,634 | 5,976 x 3,992 | 5,976 x 3,992 |
| Image sensor | CCD KODAK KAF-18500 | CMOS | ← |
| Sensor Size | 35mm Full size 35.8 x 23.9mm | ← | ← |
| Lowest sensitivity | 160 | 200 | 100 |
| Back LCD | 2.5 23m dots | 3.0 92m dots | 3.0 104m dots |
| ファインダー倍率 | 0.68 | 0.68 | 0.73 |
| EVF | None | EVF2 | VISOFLEX VISOFLEX2*1 |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000 | ← | ← |
| Battery | Leica 14464 *2 | BP-SCL2 *2 | BP-SCL5 *2 |
| Touch screen | None | ← | ← |
| Recorded media | SD,SDHC | SD,SDHC,SDXC | ← |
| Release date | 2011.6.30 | 2013.3.20 | 2017.01.28 |
| Size | 139 x 80 x 37 | 142.0 x 88.5 ｘ 39.5 | 139×80×38.5 |
| Weight(g)(with battery) | 585 | 680 | 660 |
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Update history
- 2025.4.28
- 2024.06.13
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