Leica debuts Leica M EV1, the first M-camera with an integrated electronic viewfinder

Leica Camera AG has introduced a completely new segment within the Leica M-System. The Leica M EV1 is the first M-series camera to have an integrated electronic viewfinder (EVF).

The Leica M EV1 is now available worldwide, except in the United States. U.S. market availability is temporarily postponed pending completion of the FCC listing and publication process — a routine regulatory requirement. Leica Camera Inc. will provide an update as soon as the details of the U.S. release timing are confirmed. The U.S. retail price for the Leica M EV1 will be $8,995.

The image displayed in the Leica M EV1’s viewfinder appears exactly as it will be captured when the shutter is released, accurately reflecting the lens used, focal length, and aperture settings, the company says. The precise real-time exposure preview provides additional certainty and unleashes new creative possibilities though targeted under- and overexposure. With the integrated diopter compensation, the viewfinder can be adapted to the user’s own visual acuity. A setting wheel allows an adjustment between -4 and +2 diopters.

The high-resolution 5.76 megapixel EVF provides brilliant image quality with exceptional clarity and natural color rendering. If desired, relevant exposure data – such as shutter speed, ISO, and exposure value – can be shown around the image, which remains completely uncovered. The automatic switch between viewfinder and touch panel is supported by an eye sensor.

The integrated focus assist, already familiar from other Leica cameras, is especially user-friendly. Focus peaking highlights the active plane of focus with a colored overlay, allowing precise real-time adjustment of the desired focus area. In addition, focus zoom simplifies manual focusing by offering two freely selectable magnification levels, activated either automatically when turning the focus ring or manually via a function button.

The new M-Camera has been engineered based on the Leica M11 and its full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor with Triple Resolution Technology. Images can be saved in either DNG or JPEG format at a resolution of 60, 36, or 18 megapixels. The Maestro III chip processes image data at the highest resolution quickly and saves it either on the 64 GB internal memory or an SD card.