Leica M8

Zoom: n/a
Megapixels: 10.3
Price Type: High-End
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The dream of many Leica photographers has come true: the Leica M system is now open for professional digital photography. Breaking completely new ground, the LEICA M8 doesn’t only look like an M–it utilizes all the benefits of the analog Leica M system for sophisticated and creative digital photography.

It is the only digital camera for professionals to incorporate the rangefinder system with its advantages of discreet and quiet operation, speed and precision. And the no-compromise quality criteria of the M system continue to apply to the M8. Full compatibility with nearly all M lenses means that their unique imaging performance is now available for digital photography, too.

The low-noise CCD image sensor with a resolution of 10.3-megapixels has been specifically matched to the compact lens design to guarantee superlative photographic quality. The controls and functions of the digital M still concentrate on the essentials.

The proven M concept is complemented by the intelligent extra functions that digital technology has to offer. The LEICA M8 is the first timeless digital camera “Made in Germany”. Fascinatingly new and yet still a real Leica M

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Camera Photo Sample

Manufacturer Claims

The Leica M8 utilizes all the benefits of the analog Leica M system for sophisticated and creative digital photography. It incorporates the rangefinder system with its advantages of discreet and quiet operation, speed and precision into a digital camera for professionals. And the no-compromise quality criteria of the M system continue to apply to the M8.

Full compatibility with nearly all M lenses means that their unique imaging performance is now available for digital photography, too. The low-noise CCD image sensor with a resolution of 10.3 megapixels has been specifically matched to the compact lens design to guarantee superior photographic quality. The controls and functions of the digital M still concentrate on the essentials while being complemented by the intelligent extra functions that digital technology has to offer.

Exceptional performance in every detail

For Leica, image quality is not only a catchword, but a value attainable by optimizing all the links in the performance chain: Leica’s M high performance lenses, now performing even better in the digital system with the new 6-bit coding. The low-noise CCD sensor which is specifically matched to the extreme requirements of the high-resolution M lenses. The future-guaranteed raw data format (DNG) and the raw data converter Capture One LE, acknowledged as the best. This combination of high-quality individual components ensures maximum image quality.

Concentration on the exposure. Not on the controls

A lot of care, many years of experience and extensive knowledge about how professional photographers work have gone into the operation concept of the M8. Due to the concentration on the essentials, operation is simple and intuitive. The LEICA M8 deliberately dispenses with multifunction keys and nested menus. All the main settings are made in clearly structured menus on the bright 2.5″ display. For detailed quality control “on location”, RGB histogram and clipping warning can be used on even the finest details of the subject.

New creativity: Flash photography with the M8

The modern metal-blade slotted shutter enables extremely fast flash synchronization times down to 1/250 second. The new M-TTL flash technology ensures natural flash illumination through the activation of a metering pre-flash. The auto slow sync. function now allows available light exposures without camera shake in aperture priority mode combined with a natural fill-in flash.

What’s in the Box:

Camera, carrying strap with anti-slip guard, camera cover for M bayonet, lithium ion battery, charger with car and three mains plug adapters (Euro, UK, USA), USB connecting lead, operating manual, software CD Capture One LE, software CD with Leica Digital Capture and operating manual; warranty card

Detailed Specifications

Brand

• Leica

Type

• M8

Resolution

• 10.30 Mpixel

Maximum resolution

• 3936×2630

Minimum resolution

• 1312×876

Sensor size

• 27.0×18.0mm

Sensor type

• CCD

Optical zoom

• n/a

Focal length multiplier

• 1.33

Zoom wide (mm)

• n/a

Zoom tele (mm)

• n/a

Digital zoom

• No

Auto focus

• Yes

Manual focus

• Yes

Focus range (cm)

• n/a

Macro focus range (cm)

• n/a

Flash modes

• n/a

Storage types

• Secure Digital

ISO ratings

• 160
• 320
• 640
• 1250
• 2500

Aperture priority

• Yes

Minimum aperture wide

• n/a

Maximum aperture wide

• n/a

Minimum aperture tele

• n/a

Maximum aperture tele

• n/a

Shutter priority

• Yes

Minimum shutter (sec)

• Bulb+32

Maximum shutter (sec)

• 1/8000

Sequence (fps)

• 2

Built-in flash

• No

External flash

• Yes

External flash type

• Hot-shoe

Video function

• No

Video sound

• No

Maximum video resolution

• n/a

Minimum video resolution

• n/a

Frames per second (fps)

• 0

Voice recording

• No

Optical viewfinder

• Yes

Electronic viewfinder

• No

LCD display

• Yes

LCD size

• 2.5-inch

LCD resolution (pixels)

• 230,000

Self-timer

• Yes

USB

• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed

Video out

• No

Firewire

• No

Bluetooth

• No

Energy

• Li-Ion

Weight

• 545g.

Sizes (mm)

• 139×80x37

Metering

• Centre weighted
• Multi-segment
• Spot

Exposure compensation

• -3EV - +3EV with 1/3EV steps

White balance

• Auto
• Cloudy
• Daylight
• Flash
• Fluorescent
• Incandescent
• Kelvin
• Manual

File format

• JPEG
• RAW