The Leica M EV1: A New Era for the M System

For the first time in Leica’s history, the iconic M series welcomes a model with an electronic viewfinder (EVF) built right into the body. Meet the Leica M EV1 — a camera that bridges classic rangefinder charm with modern digital precision.

So, who is this camera for? Is it any good? And more importantly — does it still feel like an M?

Let’s dive in.

Why an EVF on a Leica M Makes Sense

1. A Blessing for Eyeglass Wearers and Aging Eyes

Over time, many photographers find it challenging to use a traditional rangefinder — especially those wearing glasses or struggling with vision accuracy. Previously, the solution was to attach a Visoflex, Leica’s external electronic viewfinder. While effective, it added bulk.

With the M EV1, that functionality is seamlessly integrated. No more attachments — just raise the camera to your eye and shoot comfortably.

2. Real-Time Exposure Preview

This is arguably the biggest advantage.With an EVF, you see your exposure in real time — before you press the shutter. Whether you’re intentionally overexposing for a soft glow or underexposing for that moody Leica contrast, you now get immediate visual feedback.

Previously, M shooters had to rely on the rear LCD or guesswork — both of which break the rangefinder experience. With the EVF, what you see is truly what you get.

3. Focusing Assistance for Precision

Manual focusing has always been part of the M identity, but not everyone is equally comfortable with it. The M EV1 introduces three types of focusing aids that make precise focus much easier — especially when shooting wide open at f/1.4 or f/2.

Let’s look at them:

• Focus Peaking: Highlights the in-focus areas with a colored outline.

• Focus Magnification: Zooms in on your subject to fine-tune focus — especially useful with the camera’s 60MP sensor.

• Digital Zoom (1.3x and 1.8x): Crops the JPEG image while keeping the full DNG file intact — similar to the feature found on the Leica Q3.

Together, these tools make manual focus faster, more accurate, and far more intuitive.

4. Perfect for Wide-Angle Shooters

If you’ve ever used a wide-angle lens on a rangefinder, you know the struggle: the optical frame lines often block your composition.With the M EV1, that problem disappears entirely. The EVF shows you exactly what your lens sees, edge to edge.

5. Essential Data, Always Visible

The EVF displays key settings like shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation at the bottom of the frame — without cluttering your view. You can shoot fluidly, making adjustments on the fly without taking your eye away from the scene.

Leica’s EVF Quality: Still the Best in the Game

Leica’s EVFs have long been considered among the best, and the M EV1 continues that tradition.With a 5.76-million-dot resolution, it’s crisp, bright, and easy on the eyes — even during long shoots.

The secret? Leica uses glass optics in their EVFs instead of plastic, resulting in a noticeably clearer, more natural view. It’s a difference you can feel, especially in low light or during extended use.

The built-in eye sensor automatically switches between the EVF and LCD, while the integrated diopter adjustment ensures sharp viewing for glasses wearers — a thoughtful touch inspired by the Leica Q series.

A Subtle Yet Significant Redesign

At first glance, the Leica M EV1 looks and feels like any other M — matte black, minimalist, and unmistakably Leica. It retains the soul of the M system, despite the technological leap forward.

Even the familiar front lever is still there, but now it doubles as a customizable function control. You can assign it to toggle focus peaking, magnification, or other quick-access tools — small touches that make a big difference in real-world shooting.

Under the Hood: Specs That Matter

The M EV1 shares much of its DNA with the Leica M11-P, including:

• A 60MP full-frame sensor with three selectable resolutions (60, 36, or 18MP in DNG)

• The Maestro III image processor

• Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) support — ensuring image integrity in an AI-driven world

• 64GB of internal storage

  
  

For photographers working in journalism, documentary, or any context where authenticity matters, CAI is a powerful safeguard against digital manipulation.

Shooting Experience and Depth-of-Field Preview

One of the M EV1’s understated but brilliant features is depth-of-field preview in real time.

Whether you’re at f/1.4 or f/16, the EVF shows you exactly how much of your scene is in focus. This is especially valuable for precise compositions or creative control — and it’s always visible without any extra button press.

My Initial Thoughts: A True Modern M

I’ll admit it — I was skeptical at first. The “M” in Messsucher (German for rangefinder) defines the series’ heritage. Adding an EVF felt like a betrayal of that legacy.

But now, having held and used it, I can confidently say:The Leica M EV1 doesn’t replace the rangefinder. It complements it.

It’s not about changing what the M is — it’s about offering a choice. If you prefer a traditional optical viewfinder, Leica still has you covered. But if you value real-time exposure, precise focus tools, and comfort for your eyes, the M EV1 opens up a new world.

Final Thoughts

The Leica M EV1 is a milestone — not because it changes what makes the M special, but because it allows more photographers to experience it in a modern, accessible way.

It still looks, feels, and shoots like an M. It just happens to make the experience better.

Would I buy it? Personally, I’m still processing how much I’ve come to like it. Would I sell a traditional M for it? Maybe not — but I could easily see owning both.

What about you? Would you trade your rangefinder for the new M EV1? Let me know in the comments — and if you haven’t yet, check out my full video review on YouTube.

Cheers, and see you in the next one.