Leica M10 Monochrom
Announced January 17, 2020
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Leica M10 Monochrom is a specialized digital rangefinder designed exclusively for black and white photography, delivering exceptional tonal range and high-resolution detail. While its manual-focus design and lack of color capabilities make it a niche tool, it offers an intentional, film-like shooting experience for dedicated photographers.
Weighted from 17 reviewer scores
Pros
- Exceptional image quality with high resolution, impressive dynamic range, and superior shadow detail
- Outstanding low-light performance and clean high ISO output
- Compact, discreet, and well-built body with traditional manual controls
- Intuitive rangefinder focusing and minimalist user experience
- Near-silent shutter operation
Cons
- Inability to shoot in color or capture video
- Challenging manual focus and framing, particularly with wide-angle lenses
- Prohibitive cost for a niche, manual-only system
- Lack of modern features like weather sealing, interval timers, and advanced electronic viewfinders
- Slow image processing and writing speeds
- Launch price $8,295 (USD)
- Sensor 40.89MP Full-Frame Monochrome CMOS
What the Reviewers Say
All 17 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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I’ve been lucky enough to spend a week shooting with the Leica M10 Monochrom before its official launch, and there’s no denying that it’s an absolutely beautiful camera.
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It’s almost irrelevant what any reviewer will say, because it’s one of those cameras that you either want and will seriously consider, or you don’t.
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The Leica rangefinder, in the digital and autofocus era, is definitely an acquired taste – but one which still has a serious following. The Leica M10 Monochrom takes this specialism a huge step further by only shooting in black in white.
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Leica cameras are often considered excessively expensive, but let's not forget the fact that they're premium cameras unlike any other.
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Do I feel this is the best Monochrom? YES without question.
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This camera is a whole new game. This is a game-changer, no two ways about it.
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The easy part is to say that this camera is a joy to shoot with, a joy to handle, and produces wonderful images quite suitable to make very, very big prints.
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It was worth it. I love this camera.
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[M]y personal focusing issues and budget notwithstanding, for the right person, clearly for that rare person, the Leica M10 Monochrom is awesome.
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I do feel strongly that this brings back my film-like intention when I'm out using it.
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To us, this is Leica’s best M camera to date, for digital. The M10 Monochrom hits all the notes, great low light performance, quiet, looks fantastic and more.
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I can't wait to get out and use the camera some more, but I can say with confidence that one, this is a meaningful and worthy upgrade over the already outstanding M 246 Monochrom, and two, probably the best tool for black-and-white photography I've ever used.
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Then the M10 Monochrome is the – only – obvious choice, since only Leica dares to make a dedicated black and white camera.
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These days converting from colour to black and white in post processing is much easier, it allows you to change the conversion on different colour channels and the higher resolution of modern sensors surely makes the increase of resolution of the monochrome sensor largely [...]
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The new M10 Monochrom clearly is a very special camera and I think it's a sensational camera. It's an incredible piece of technology, but it is only for a niche group of photographers.
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I think the short story here is the images have been blowing my mind. Like as much fun as I've been having out shooting, actually sitting down and editing the images I've been really pleasantly surprised.
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The Leica M10 Monochrom's high ISO performance is second to none, so Sony users eat your heart out.
