This is the Leica M EV1, and it’s exactly what it sounds like, a Leica M body, but instead of the traditional rangefinder system, it now has a built in EVF (electronic viewfinder).

I’ve been using the Leica M EV1 for about a week, and in this post I want to share my honest thoughts, what it’s like to use, who it’s for, and whether I think it fits into the Leica M lineup in a meaningful way.

I was lucky enough to be invited out to Italy for the launch event with Leica and a group of other photographers and YouTubers.

It was an amazing few days, and I came away with a solid feel for this new camera - as well as a bunch of photos I’ll be sharing soon.

The Big Change: Rangefinder vs EVF

Let’s start with the obvious.

For decades, the rangefinder has been the defining feature of the M system.

Leica has used the same rangefinder design since 1932, and it’s part of the magic.

You look through that optical viewfinder, see the world as it is, and align those little focus patches manually. It’s tactile, simple, and rewarding.

But as one of the Leica product team said during the presentation:

“One of the best things about the Leica M system is the rangefinder… and one of the main problems with the Leica M system is also the rangefinder.”

That line stuck with me, is it true?

A lot of people buy a Leica M because of the rangefinder.

But many people are also put off by it. Maybe you wear glasses. Maybe your eyesight isn’t what it used to be. Or maybe you just want to enjoy Leica’s craftsmanship, heritage, and lens ecosystem without dealing with manual focus through a small patch.

For those people, the Leica M EV1 is a approachable option.

“Why Not Just Get a Q or an SL?”

That’s a fair question,

Yes, the Leica Q3 has an EVF and autofocus. But it’s a fixed lens camera. You can’t use Leica’s M mount lenses, and it’s a chunkier setup.

The Leica SL is another option, but that’s a totally different shooting experience - a large, modern mirrorless system rather than the classic feel of the M.

So, what Leica have done here with the M EV1 is create something quite niche, but smart: a true M body for people who prefer an electronic viewfinder experience.

It’s similar in spirit to the Leica M11-D or the Monochrom - built for a specific type of photographer who knows exactly what they want.

I’m sure the Leica purists will say this breaks tradition, but… it is what it is.

Specs, Price, and Lineup Position

From a technical perspective, the M EV1 is basically the same as the Leica M11-P, aside from the obvious EVF integration.

But Leica has positioned this as the start of a new line entirely, not part of the M10 or M11 lineage. So we’ll likely see the M EV2, M EV3, and so on in the future.

Now for the part everyone wants to know, the price:

€6,625 (without VAT) → €7,950 total
$7,088 (without VAT) → $8,506 total
£5,697 (without VAT) → £6,837 total

For context, the Leica M11-P is around £8,000, so the EV1 actually comes in a bit cheaper - roughly £1,100 less.

If you’re curious about the Leica M system but have been hesitant because of the rangefinder, this could be the most approachable M yet.

The Shooting Experience

So what’s it actually like to shoot with?

I’ll be posting more from my photo walks in London and Italy soon, but my first impression is this: you really need to try it yourself.

If you’re skeptical about the idea of an M with an EVF - don’t write it off straight away. Go into a Leica Store and spend five minutes using it.

The EVF behaves much like live view on the M11’s rear screen. You get focus peaking, grid overlays, punch-in zoom, a digital level, and you can fully customise what you see and how it behaves.

The switch that used to control frame lines is now used for toggling EVF modes and you can map it however you like.

The first day or so, I was constantly tweaking settings to get it just right.

Because it’s more software-driven than a regular M, you’ll want to take that time to tailor it to your preferences.

And importantly, it still feels like an M. The handling, the build, the simplicity. It feels far more like an M body than it does a Q.

Real World Thoughts

There are obvious benefits to the EVF: what you see is what you get. Exposure, focus, white balance - it’s all live.

But there’s also a trade-off.

With a rangefinder, you focus and then recompose. With the EVF, you can focus anywhere in the frame, but to be precise (especially at wide apertures), you’ll often need to zoom in, focus, and then shoot. It’s slower.

So it’s really a choice between two workflows.

For photographers with eyesight challenges, or who simply prefer a more modern focusing experience, the Leica M EV1 makes perfect sense.

But personally, I still prefer the optical rangefinder for its speed and feel.

One area where the EVF does shine is with close-focus M lenses - something that’s tricky on a traditional rangefinder but easy to nail here.

The New White Balance Update

Leica also introduced a new firmware update alongside the M EV1, which will soon be available for the M11 too.

It significantly improves white balance accuracy, especially fixing that slightly magenta tint that many of us have noticed on the M11. It’s a subtle but very welcome improvement.

Final Thoughts

The Leica M EV1 is an interesting and, in many ways, brave move from Leica.

It’s not replacing the classic M. It’s not trying to.

It’s simply giving more photographers a way to experience the M system - the build, the lenses, the simplicity, without the limitations of a rangefinder.

For some, this will be exactly what they’re looking for.

For others (like me), it’s an intriguing side step - something I respect, but wouldn’t personally swap my M11 for.

Either way, it’s a fascinating addition to the M lineup, and I think it’ll spark a lot of conversation.

If you’ve been curious about it, go try one for yourself.

Watch my full review here:

Disclaimer: This device has not been authorized in the United States of America as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased in the United States of America until authorization is obtained

Leica M EV1 Review: Leica’s First M With an EVF