Leica M (Typ 240) Digital Rangefinder Camera Body, Silver Chrome {24MP} 10771

Leica M (Typ 240): the full-frame rangefinder that defined digital M shooting.

The Typ 240 sits at the center of Leica's digital M lineage as the body that brought a 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor to the classic rangefinder form. At 35.8 x 23.9mm, that sensor pairs with the Maestro processor to produce files with the tonal depth that M shooters have come to expect from the platform. ISO runs from 200 to 6400 natively, with expansion down to 100, giving you enough latitude to shoot in low light without abandoning the manual discipline that defines this camera's entire philosophy.

Control is deliberately limited: aperture priority and manual exposure only, no autofocus, no touchscreen, no in-body stabilization. That's not a deficiency, it's the point. The 0.68x optical rangefinder viewfinder keeps you connected to the scene in a way that no electronic finder replicates. Shutter speeds reach 1/4000 sec on the fast end and 60 seconds on the slow, with AE bracketing available across up to 5 frames. The silver chrome finish on this body wears the classic Leica identity without apology.

At 680 grams and 139 x 80 x 42mm, the Typ 240 is dense for its footprint but still pocketable with a compact lens. The M mount's decades-long lens library, from current production glass to vintage optics, is the real asset here. Buying into this body means buying into one of the most mature and optical ecosystems in photography.

Who It's For

Street photographers who work manually and prefer to frame through an optical rangefinder than compose on a screen will find the Typ 240's 0.68x viewfinder and silent-biased operation genuinely useful. Documentary shooters drawn to a low-profile silver chrome body and the discipline of aperture-priority-only exposure will appreciate the straightforward metering and RAW output. Collectors and Leica system users building around M-mount glass, whether modern Summicrons or legacy glass adapted from decades past, get full-frame 24MP files without a crop factor. Travel photographers who shoot deliberately and want a body small enough to stay unobtrusive in the field benefit from the compact 139 x 80 x 42mm footprint.

Key Features

• 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor with Maestro processor
• 0.68x optical rangefinder viewfinder
• Manual focus only with split-image rangefinder
• ISO 200-6400 (expandable to 100)
• Aperture Priority and Manual exposure modes
• 3 fps burst shooting
• 1/4000 sec fast shutter, 60 sec slow
• AE bracketing up to 5 frames
• M-mount lens compatibility
• RAW and JPEG recording to SD cards
• Silver Chrome body weighs 680 grams

FAQ

Is the Typ 240 autofocus or manual focus only?

Manual focus only, via the rangefinder patch. There's no autofocus system - the entire design assumes you'll focus by eye and calibrate distance with the split-image rangefinder in the viewfinder.

What's the native ISO range, and can it go lower?

Native range is ISO 200-6400, but you can expand down to ISO 100 or boost to 6400. Below 200 requires underexposure compensation; above 6400 is digital gain.

Does the Typ 240 shoot video?

No. This is a stills camera only - no video, no live view. The rear 3-inch screen is for image review and menu navigation only.

Can you use vintage M-mount lenses on this body?

Yes. The Leica M mount has been unchanged since 1954, so you can mount everything from classic rangefinder glass to current production Summicrons and Summilux lenses without adapters.

How fast does it shoot in burst mode?

3 frames per second maximum. Continuous mode is there if you need it, but this body encourages deliberate shooting, not machine-gun firing.

What are the exposure modes?

Aperture Priority and Manual only. No shutter priority, no scene modes, no full auto. You control either aperture and let the meter set shutter, or you set both manually.

Does it have image stabilization?

No in-body stabilization. You're relying on lens design and technique to hold steady, particularly at slower shutter speeds or longer focal lengths.