In this Leica M Typ 240 review, we’ll discuss six must-know things about this gorgeous and powerful digital rangefinder camera. They include its design and handling, photo and video capabilities, lens compatibility, and more. Additionally, thanks to websites like MPB, buying a used Leica M Typ 240 camera body has never been cheaper and easier.
Who is MPB? It’s a trustworthy and innovative online platform offering high-quality used photo and video gear at unbeatable prices. Better yet, every camera and lens it sells is hand-inspected by professional product specialists with years of experience and backed by a six-month warranty, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
MPB stands out because its online platform makes buying, selling, and trading used gear unbelievably simple. We have been using it for years to upgrade our photography kit, and it’s helped us save countless amounts of time and money. Visit their website today if you want to do the same. Now, who’s ready to learn more about this camera?!?
Table of Contents
- The Leica M Typ 240 Has a Beautiful, Retro Design
- This Camera Boasts Modern Controls and Menus
- The Leica M Typ 240 is a Hybrid Digital Camera
- You Get Excellent Battery Life
- There are Tons of Leica M Typ 240 Lenses to Choose From
- The Price Has Never Been Lower
- Final Thoughts on the Leica M Typ 240
The Leica M Typ 240 Has a Beautiful, Retro Design
When you first look at the Leica M Typ 240, you will be immediately impressed by its minimalist, classic design. This digital rangefinder, released in 2012, remains popular today, especially for people who want a retro-looking camera with modern technology. It comes in black and silver.
Another strength of the design is its durability. The camera body is made from sturdy materials, including die-cast magnesium alloy, milled brass, and synthetic leather. Furthermore, the large three-inch rear display uses scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass, and the whole body boasts a weather sealant to protect it from water, moisture, and dust.
Now, here’s a more in-depth look at the specs and key features:
- Camera Type: Digital Rangefinder camera
- Sensor: 24MP Full-Frame Leica Max CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 – 6,400
- Lens Mount: Leica M Mount
- Speed: 3.0 fps
- Autofocus: None (Manual Focus Only)
- Video: 1080p/24p Full HD Video
- Size/Weight: 139 x 80 x 42 mm / 680 grams
- Battery Life: 500 shots
- Stabilization: No
- Touchscreen: No
- Weather-Sealed: Yes
- Used Price: $2,649 – $3,059
This Camera Boasts Modern Controls and Menus
Although the Leica M Typ 240 looks old, its controls and menu system are advanced and up-to-date. The buttons and exposure dials are ergonomically placed for efficient shooting, and the menu system is intuitive and easy to navigate. Also, the real-time live view function is ideal for recording videos.
One crucial thing to keep in mind is that this camera only has manual focus. However, this is by design, making it a specialty camera. Due to the lack of autofocus, it’s not the best camera for beginner photographers. That said, the results are amazing once you know how to control manual focus!
The Leica M Typ 240 is a Hybrid Digital Camera
The Leica M Typ 240 is a hybrid camera with both photo and video capabilities. When shooting still photography, it uses a 24-megapixel full-frame sensor that delivers sharp, detailed photos with bold, vibrant colors. Moreover, its large sensor and wide ISO range help the camera take solid images with relatively low noise levels in low-light conditions. Get a detailed look at this camera in the video above by Benj Haisch.
Alternatively, this camera captures video using the entire sensor at 1080p/24p. The video quality is excellent and is perfect for home videos, YouTube, and social media. A dedicated “video recording” button makes starting and stopping filming easy, while a built-in microphone is used for audio capture.
You Get Excellent Battery Life
One of the biggest weaknesses of mirrorless cameras today is their poor battery life. You won’t have to worry about that when working with the Leica M Typ 240, though. As a digital rangefinder, its battery life is actually one of its biggest strengths.
This camera is rated to shoot 500 shots on a single charge, but real-world tests greatly exceed that number. In reality, you can expect to get closer to 1,000 shots with a fully charged battery, and we have even heard of people taking as many as 1,500 images!
There are Tons of Leica M Typ 240 Lenses to Choose From
Here’s a quick list of some of the best rangefinder lenses for photos and video that you can pair with this camera:
- Leica 28mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH (shown above)
- Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH Silver Chrome / Black
- Leica 90mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M
- Leica 18mm f/3.8 Super-Elmar-M ASPH
The Price Has Never Been Lower
Finally, the Leica M Typ 240 has never been more affordable. When it originally launched in 2012, it retailed for $7,000. However, now you can expect to pay less than half that if you want to invest in one of these awesome cameras.
While Leica no longer manufactures new cameras, the average price of a used Leica M Typ 240 is just under $3,000. And although we understand that’s still a good chunk of change, it’s also one heck of a value!
Final Thoughts on the Leica M Typ 240
As you can see, the Leica M Typ 240 is a wonderful camera with many advantages. It takes stunning pictures and videos, is easy to use, is lightweight and portable, and is incredibly easy on the eyes. What more could you ask for?!?
Before you go, here are a few more of today’s most sought-after digital rangefinder cameras to consider. You can compare and contrast them with the Leica M Typ 240 to help you select the perfect next camera for your needs and budget. Every camera below is in stock and on sale now at MPB!
Just so you know, some of the cool stuff we mention comes with affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you buy (no extra charge to you!). Plus, we occasionally feature sponsored content, but rest assured, we only shout out products we genuinely stand behind.
