The best Leica cameras in 2023: from classic rangefinders to modern mirrorless

The best Leica cameras might be expensive, but they also happen to be some of the most finely engineered cameras ever made. 

The German firm has perfected its craft for more than a century of camera manufacture, and Leica users will waste no time in telling you that the experience of using one is like no other. The iconic Leica red dot is a mark of respect among photographers, and if you've got the budget, a good Leica camera can be a lifelong companion.

In this article we're dealing with digital Leica cameras – if you're craving a vintage, analog experience then our guide to the best film cameras includes some Leica models. There are three main categories of Leica digital cameras: Leica mirrorless cameras, Leica M rangefinders, and Leica compact cameras. Let's take a quick look at each in turn.

The Leica mirrorless range includes professional cameras like the Leica SL2 and the relatively affordable Leica CL. These cameras use the L-mount, in an alliance with Sigma and Panasonic, and provide large, high-resolution sensors for top-quality image-making.

Next, the Leica M rangefinders. A rangefinder is an unapologetically vintage shooting experience: it involves a manual focusing method that utilizes multiple lenses. While it takes some mastering, once you're used to it, there really is nothing like it. The new, headline-stealing Leica M11 and its triple-resolution sensor is the star of this series, but there are also loads of other great options, like the high-quality M10 Monochrom, which provides an amazing B&W photography experience.

Finally, we have the Leica compacts. These fixed-lens wonders are as finely engineered as any other Leica camera, including the sublime Leica Q2. This total stunner pairs a high-resolution full-frame sensor with a pin-sharp 28mm f/1.7 lens. Its beautiful handling and essentially immortal construction mean that while it’s a pricey camera, it’s one to use and love for a lifetime.

Our list of the best Leica cameras includes all the best models from the venerable manufacturer, at the best prices, so let’s get started!

Best Leica Cameras: Our Top Picks

The best Leica cameras in 2023

Best overall mirrorless

Plenty of Leica cameras form an unusual hybrid where their insides are essentially the same as cameras from other manufacturers, while their outers are all Leica. Some of these are simple rebadging, but the relatively recent Leica SL2 is something a little different. 

On the inside, it's extremely similar to Panasonic's Lumix S1R, a superb mirrorless full-frame camera, but the outside is completely different, a sleek and minimalist design with few controls, designed to completely immerse you in the shooting experience. 

The interface is a revelation, classy and elegant and so intuitive it puts a grin on your face right away. With the future looking bright for L-mount lenses (see the L- mount lens roadmap), this 4K-capable camera is a fantastic buy for any prospective Leica owner. 

Read our full Leica SL2 review for more details

Best 'affordable' mirrorless

The Leica SL2-S (seen here with optional battery grip) is a great option for those that are already using the L mount and have L-mount lenses. The price looks steep by regular standards, but it's much lower than the higher-resolution Leica SL2. 

What's really good about this camera is that even with such a drastic difference in price, the compromises are minimal and the drop in resolution is the only major downside. 

This could be a great entry point for those considering the SL camera system but put off by the price of the SL2. If its 24-megapixel resolution is all you need, you still get the Leica to build quality and interface, and 4K 60p video capability, at a lower price.

Read our full Leica SL2-S review for more details

Best for AI-protection

The Leica M11-P continues Leica's blend of classic style and cutting-edge technology. In terms of aesthetics, it takes inspiration from the sleek, minimalist design of the Leica M11 Monochrom, without the usual iconic red dot offering a more understated look that appeals to discerning photographers who want to go unclocked on the street. 

However, it isn't just about appearances. Inside, the M11-P mirrors the Leica M11, guaranteeing the same exceptional image quality that we loved in the original M11 model, with Leica's 60MP color sensor, with its triple-resolution tech offering big detailed photos.

What really makes the M11-P notable is the introduction of its content authentication component called Lecia Contnet Credentials, which could yet prove to be a very valuable weapon in the ongoing battle against AI-generated image manipulation. However, its effectiveness in countering this currently appears somewhat vulnerable to those with ill intentions, although it is very early doors for the technology, so it will be interesting to see how it evolves as it is more widely adopted.

Read our full Leica M11-P review for more details

Best for purists

After months of leaks and teases, we've finally got a glimpse at the future of the M-series in the form of the Leica M11, and it's one of the most technologically advanced rangefinders ever made. 

Leica hasn't tinkered too much with the formula of a rangefinder camera but has added lots of smart tweaks and features. The triple-resolution full-frame sensor is a real standout, letting you shoot at 60MP, 36MP, or 18MP, all of which use the sensor's full width. This is great for speeding up your workflow with smaller filesizes, and shooting at 18MP also gives you the advantage of an unlimited burst buffer. 

The M11 makes use of a new electronic shutter that gives users the option of a 1/16,000sec shutter speed. It does away with the bottom base plate, giving easier access to the battery and SD card. And in another neat touch, the camera also has 64GB of internal storage, making it easy to record simultaneous copies of your images. 

Leica has beefed up the battery and added USB-C charging; what's more, if you can afford a little extra on top of the considerable price tag, you can add a new Visoflex 2 electronic viewfinder to augment the rangefinder experience. Designed in conjunction with the M11, it has a 90-degree tilt function. 

While we still need to fully review the Leica M11, all signs so far are pointing to a triumph.

Read our full Leica M11 review for more details

Best monochrom camera

The Leica M11 Monochrom is one of the world’s most niche consumer cameras; a black and white, manual focus only rangefinder camera, which cannot shoot video, and also costs a cool $9000 (£8,300).

These supposed shortcomings are actually its biggest strength, forcing you to carefully consider every shot you take. It harks back to the glory days of film photography and is one of the most enjoyable photography experiences I have had in a while.

This is not a camera for the masses, Leica knows exactly who this camera's specific audience is, and exactly how to please them, and for those select few, there is some good news, it is probably the best version of this camera to date.

Read our full Leica M11 Monochrom review for more details 

Best 'budget' M-camera

Leica M cameras are an acquired taste. They are fiendishly expensive – of course – and resolutely old-fashioned in their design and operation. They don’t suffer fools gladly. And yet the M10-R also happens to feature some of the latest digital technology to produce image quality to challenge any other full-frame camera and a shooting experience that remains unique.

Like previous M-series cameras, the M10-R does not suffer fools gladly and you need to put in some practice – and make a few mistakes – to learn how to use it effectively. It will reward you, however, with a shooting experience like no other.

If you have a great deal of money, or your passion is engineering, heritage, the look and feel of classic camera designs, or just the look and feel of the images, the M10-R could be your dream camera.

Read our full Leica M10-R review for more details

Best film camera

Leica M rangefinders will always be controversial. To some they're overpriced, overhyped throwbacks to an era that's long gone. To others, they're beautifully made classics of engineering that have reached a plateau of perfection.

The M rangefinders take a bit of getting used to. Rangefinder focusing is fast and precise in the right hands but takes some learning, while the pain of paying for an M-A body is only the start because Leica lenses are equally expensive.

But if you like your film photography to be stripped back to its basics, the M-A will oblige. You'll need to work out the exposure yourself, you'll need to apply the settings yourself and you'll need to focus yourself, but for Leica M fans that's what it means to be a photographer.

Read our full Leica M-A Review for more details

Best compact Leica

The Leica Q3's 60MP sensor produces breathtaking images, enhanced further by the digital crop feature that adds a fun element of experimentation to the 28mm fixed lens. Each shot exhibits remarkable Leica processing, with beautifully rendered colors as well as exceptional dynamic range. The autofocus performs admirably, delivering swift and precise results, particularly in subject focusing, thanks to its efficient human and eye detection capabilities.

Nevertheless, the animal detection feature leaves much to be desired, as it more frequently misidentifies inanimate objects rather than living creatures. As for its video capabilities, the Leica Q3 excels in delivering high-quality 8K footage in a variety of professional codecs, although image stabilization struggled with handheld shake.

Nonetheless, the Leica Q3 stands as a remarkable camera for day-to-day use, and it effortlessly earns its place as one of the best walking-around photography cameras available today. Though alas, it is a Leica, and the lofty price tag renders it inaccessible to many photographers.

Read our full Leica Q3 review.

Best Q3 alternative

Most Leica cameras take interchangeable lenses, but the Leica Q2 is the exception, with a fixed 28mm f/1.7 lens. It's like the unicorn of digital cameras, though a few people have actually seen one, including us. The successor to the original 24-megapixel Leica Q, the Leica Q2 is aimed at photographers wanting a powerful camera that is also relatively small and discreet, yet with a whopping 47.3-megapixel full-frame sensor.

The body is water- and dust-resistant, plus there’s a 4K video shooting option that additionally includes the choice of ‘C4K’ (Cinematic 4K). In burst mode, the Q2 can shoot at up to 10fps with the mechanical shutter or 20fps with the electronic shutter. The Q2 is of course hand constructed in Germany, with a magnesium body construction.

Yes, this is very much a luxury option for the street photographer, but the 47-megapixel sensor delivers shed loads of gorgeous detail. It looks like the waiting lists are finally clearing, so you may no longer have to 'Q' for your Leica Q2. We also love the Leica Q2 Monochrom version, by the way.

There's also a new limited-edition version of this camera, as Leica likes to do. The Leica Q2 Reporter is a subtler version with the red dot removed, an overall dark green makeover, and a kevlar grip. You'll have to be quick though – Leica is only manufacturing 350 of them. 

Read our Leica Q2 Reporter review for more details

How we test Leica cameras

We test cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range and signal to noise ratio. Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range. We use both real-world testing and lab results to inform our comments in buying guides.

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