Leica's M10-R, which costs $8295, is its second model with high resolution and the first color-image sensor. It captures 40MP photos, just like the M10 Monochrom. The body design is largely unchanged over time. The M10 Monochrom is $300 less than its standard edition M10. It also includes upgrades to both the body and the image sensor. This makes it an attractive alternative.
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The M High Resolution
There are many M10 models available for Rangefinder cameras fans. All are built on the 24MP full frame sensor. This sensor is used in M10 and M10-P premium models, as well as the M10-D screen-free model.
The M10-R has a new imager, a color version of the 40MP sensor used in the M10 Monochrom. Full-frame cameras fall largely into two buckets: models with sensors in the 24MP range, and high-resolution cameras that go as high as 60MP. The extra pixels are beneficial—you get more room to crop, and a sensor that's a few years newer in design also nets better dynamic range and its high ISO grain doesn't show banding effects.
They're not the only reasons to spend $300 more than the baseline M10. The two models look alike, but the M10-R includes the upgraded quiet shutter, a touch LCD, and an on-screen level gauge.
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Red Dot included
It is identical to other M10 models in terms of body design. The body measures 3.2x5.5x1.2 inches (HWD), and weighs 1.5 pounds. It is made of magnesium and covered in leatherette. The brass material used for the top-and bottom plates are thick.
The M10-R is available in black or silver chrome, each adorned with Leica's instantly recognizable Red Dot logo. The top plate is free of adornment—Leica typically charges more for models with an engraved logo.
The M series' body is unchanged over time, but it does not have a grip. Although the camera can be used with small lenses and balanced well on its own, there are options for adding a grip. Leica sells the 47MP SL2, a full-frame mirrorless camera with integrated grip. This is worth considering if you are committed to using a rangefinder.
Optical Viewfinder and Manual Controls
And it's the rangefinder—the bright focusing patch at the center of the M10's optical viewfinder—that keeps folks buying M cameras, even when more modern alternatives are available. The fixed angle of the M10's viewfinder is wide enough for a 28mm lens to be seen, thanks to a magnification of 0.73x.
Frame lines are projected in pairs, and change based on which lens you attach—the 28mm and 90mm pair show together, as do the 35mm and 135mm, and 50mm and 75mm. You will see the outside of the frame if you have a tighter angle than 35mm.
Everything is manual. Focus and aperture control are set directly on an attached lens. The bright patch at the center of the viewfinder shows a double image when your photo isn't in focus; line them up as one and focus is set properly.
Dials located on the top plate can be used to set ISO and shutter speed. You can also adjust either manually or automatically via the menu. To navigate menus or playback settings, there's a button and directional pad on the back.
There's a rear control dial too, something you get with a digital M but not a film body. It dials in EV compensation, either directly or in combination with the front function button, and can also be used to zoom in when reviewing images or framing shots using the rear display or EVF.
Display and EVF
Rear display of the M10-R is a 3 inch LCD. It has a sharp 1.04 million-dot design. The LCD supports touch but cannot tilt up or downward. The fixed design makes low-angle shooting a little tricky—you'll need to get down low along with the camera.
If you like those kind of shots, and also want an M, the add-on Visoflex EVF is an option. It slides into the hot shoe and offers a tilt action so you can peer into it from above. It's sharp, and frame magnification and focus peaking are available as focus aids. You'll want to think about adding it if you use ultra-wide lenses, or for shots where spot-on focus is critical.
Connection and power
Wi-Fi is included in the M10-R. The M10-R can be paired with both your Android or iOS phone via the Leica Fotos App. Remote control and image transfer are possible with the app. The latter allows for live viewing from the lens.
You can copy Raw or JPG shots, though we found that DNG files can take a little while to transfer—up to 30 seconds per image. Full-resolution JPGs go much faster, in about 10 seconds.
The BP-SCL5 is the same battery as the M10 model. The battery can take 600 photos, but you should expect a lower number if you use Wi-Fi a lot, review images frequently, and rely heavily on live views.
The battery loads in the bottom, in the same compartment as the UHS-I SDXC memory card slot. You'll need to remove the baseplate to get to them, a nod to the bottom-loading film models of yesteryear. Third-party replacements with traditional hinged battery doors are available if you prefer.
Full Frame Sensor 40MP
Along with the M10 Monochrom, 40MP sensors were developed for the M10-R. The first edition of the black-and white version was launched in a refreshing change. Jesko von Oeynhausen, M Series product manager, tells us extra care and time were spent on the sensor's color output.
There are specialized needs to make a full-frame imager that plays well with M lenses. Some will show detail and color smearing at corners when paired with cameras from other systems—it's easy to use an M lens with a Canon, Nikon, or Sony camera with an adapter.
One layer of glass is used for the M10-R camera. It filters UV light and IR light with one, a thin layer of cover glass measuring just 0.9mm. This cover glass is made specifically for the camera and lens system. It preserves clarity and color accuracy with lenses that are difficult to use with other cameras. A lens that can inflict color shift with many digital cameras was used to capture a handful of images. The Voigtlander Superwide Heliar 15mm LTM Version. Corners show exact colors with no evidence for false color casting.
The covered ISO range is actually the same as the 24MP M10 sensor. The M10-R starts at ISO 100 and can be set as high as ISO 50000. Despite packing more pixels into the same space, the M10-R performs quite well at higher sensitivities.
The Raw DNG output of the camera shows great detail through ISO 3200 and only a small step down at ISO 6400. Images are quite stable despite the fact that noise is more noticeable at ISO 12500 than 25000. We noticed a slight green tint in neutral tones when ISO 50000 is used. However, noise at ISO 12500 and 25000 are sufficient to destroy fine detail.
There's no evidence of banding when opening shadows or otherwise pushing shadows or lifting black levels—we processed images in Adobe Lightroom Classic. There's plenty of dynamic range too, so you've got ample room to tone images to taste. The M10-R also offers supports for longer exposures, up to 16 minutes, than the M10 (4 minutes), a plus for astrophotographers and others who employ extra-long exposure times.
JPG capture is also an option. Although the in-camera processing is effective at removing splotchy colors noise, it doesn't attempt to reduce its rough texture. ISO 12500 or higher will produce a film-like grain structure. The grain structure starts off very fine but becomes more coarse as the sensitivity is increased.
As with other M10 models, there's no video support or image stabilization. If you want those features from a Leica, the SL2 is a better fit. It sports a five-axis stabilized 47MP sensor and strong 4K features. Its sensor is also optimized for M lenses, though not to the extent of the M10-R.
M the Next-Generation
Leica M10R is not just an enhanced version of M10. It is distinguished from other limited editions and variants by its all-new sensor. It also has some practical upgrades—a quieter shutter and touch screen—first seen in the premium M10-P. And, aside from larger files, there's no real drawback to reaching for the M10-R over other editions.
Leica has opted to market this one under the M10 banner, but the new sensor really makes it a new camera. If you're devoted to rangefinder photography, and are in the market for a model that captures images in living color, the M10-R represents the most capable entry in the line.
The M10-R's color sensor gives it more versatility than the M10 Monochrom. However, you can still opt for the black-and white version of the camera to avoid any color issues. The M10-R, if you are looking for an M10 and want to see more than grays, is worth considering.