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GEAR / 49
Specifications
Sensor 35.8x23.9mm full-frame BSI CMOS, 60.3 megapixels Storage 1x SD up to 2TB, 64GB internal Shutter Mechanical focal plane and electronic rolling, 60 to 1/16,000sec (electronic) or 1/4000sec (mechanical) Flash sync 1/180th sec Drive modes Up to 4.5fps, up to 15 frames (Raw) or 100 frames (JPEG) ISO: 64 to 50,000 Lens mount Leica M Still Image formats 14-bit Raw, JPEG, 3:2 Video formats No Autofocus No Image stabilisation No Connectivity USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Screen 3in, fixed touchscreen, 2.33m dots Viewfinder Electronic OLED, 5.76m dots, 0.76x magnification
ANGLING FOR IMAGES Shooting wide apertures is where the EVF especially excels
1/4000sec, plus an electronic shutter mode that reaches 1/16,000sec. That’s useful on bright days when you want to use a fast lens wide open, like I did with my Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. The results are excellent, just as they are on the Leica M11 that has the same sensor. Lots of dynamic range, stunning colours and low noise, unless you push it really high in terms of ISO. And it’s helped with the legendary Leica lenses, which render in a unique way that can’t be faked in Photoshop. The look is still organic and sharp but not overly digital. The EVF experience While Leica has offered an add-on EVF for its later rangefinder M cameras, it adds bulk and hasn’t been so popular. The EV1’s EVF is 5.76-million dots, 0.76× magnification, 100% coverage and runs at 60fps with an eye sensor that automatically switches between EVF and LCD. The rear display is almost 3 inches, 2.33-million dots and is made of touch-enabled, tough glass. The big change is the focusing, composition and overall usability. The EV1’s focus aids – focus peaking and two levels of magnified view – turn M focusing into something far more approachable, especially for anyone moving across from mainstream mirrorless cameras. Leica leans hard into this, describing the EVF-led experience as ‘pure precision.’ In real shooting terms, the EVF solves three classic M headaches. The first is for ultra wides: M users often needed external optical finders that were never very precise. For telephoto use, rangefinder accuracy is more demanding as focal length increases, but the added EVF magnification makes critical focus more dependable.
Close focus is easier to use confidently, too. There is no comparison, the EV1 wins out. For super-shallow depth-of-field from very fast lenses, something many Leica owners thrive on, the camera is also a big leap forward. You get the M lens look with a workflow that resembles the speed and certainty of mirrorless focusing tools and without surrendering manual control. And where the EV1 feels modern is in the exposure confidence that it provides. The through-the-lens, live view gives you a real-time preview of exposure and depth-of-field. But it’s not perfect. A rangefinder can be a great tool, providing quick and accurate focus so you can leave the lens alone and take as many shots as you like. With the EVF, you can set it so that when you half push the shutter release, it punches in to give you a closer view to make sure your focus is nailed. But it’s better to use the small function lever on the front plate that rocks two ways. We found it best when one was set to give a zoomed-in view and the other was set for peaking to show what’s in focus. It’s a new way of working and an excellent solution for manual focus lenses.
a high-res camera with constant live view, but it does mean you’ll want spare batteries for travel days or event coverage. USB-C charging is supported when off or on standby as well as power supply and intermittent charging when the camera is in use. The pricing is also modern and premium. That sets it in a very Leica place: it’s aspirational, specialist and not even remotely great value by normal standards. But there is no other camera that offers this combination of M-Mount experience, 60.3-megapixel files and a built-in EVF in a body that still looks and feels like an M series.
AS YOU WERE The leatherette cover is new but the controls are familiar to any Leica user
Dimensions (wxhxd) 138.8x80.3x38.45mm Weight 495g with battery
Verdict The Leica M EV1 is less about reinvention and more about removing friction. It keeps the M’s deliberate, manual approach while solving the biggest practical problem many photographers face with rangefinders: nailing focus reliably while wide open, close up and with wide or long focal lengths. For stills photographers who love the Leica M lens signature but want a more modern, confidence- building way to shoot, the EV1 is a landmark camera. Traditionalists may still prefer the romance of the optical rangefinder, but the EV1’s EVF is more capable. Features 19/25 No image stabilisation, autofocus or video but now has a decent EVF Handling 20/25 It’s faster and more reliable to focus than a rangefinder but it’s still quirky Performance 24/25 Amazing files with lots of beautiful colours and detail in shadows and highlights Value for money 20/25 It’s premium priced but will last for a long time and is cheaper than a rangefinder Overall 83/100 For some this camera makes very little sense but it could be a dream come true for others Pros Legendary brand, lens sharpness, finally a built-in EVF! Cons No autofocus, image stabilisation or video, high price
Modern authenticity Alongside the EVF, Leica’s other
contemporary push is authenticity. Like the M11-P line, the EV1 supports Leica Content Credentials to help verify the provenance of images digitally. The EV1 also has wireless and app integration with the Leica Fotos app, and GPS geotagging, Bluetooth and Wi- Fi handled via the phone connection. Leica quotes around 237 shots with the EVF or 244 shots on the LCD until the battery dies. That’s not unusual for
BREAK TIME Low light shots are a piece of cake on the new EV1, with its great colour science and high- resolution sensor
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