If you want to use your Leica M mount lenses on other cameras, you can. Here are 6 non Leica m mount cameras that either support it outright or shine just as good as any M camera with an adapter.
Hi, I’m Sven the Leicaphile and here is the list of the best non Leica m mount cameras. Turns out the Leica M cameras aren’t the only way one can enjoy their lenses, not only some manufacturers made their cameras M mount, other support it trough official adapters while others trough unofficial adapters.
What are the best Non Leica M mount cameras?
While most cameras can be turned into a Non Leica M mount cameras with a use of an adapter, the cameras that support M lenses natively or has first party support will be prioritized.
| Name | Why Leica like? | Main difference | Sensor Size | Get it here: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Sony A7R IV With adapter | Full Frame | DSLR looks | Full Frame | Check Price |
| 2. Pixii Camera | M Mount rangefinder | ASPC Sensor | APSC | Check Price |
| 3. Fuji X-Pro III With adapter | Rangefinder form factor | APSC Sensor | APSC | Check Price |
| 4. Fuji X-E3 With Adapter | Rangefinder form factor | APSC Sensor | APSC | Check on ebay |
| 5. Ricoh GXR M mount | Native M mount | ASPC Sensor / Form factor | APSC | Check on ebay |
| 6. Epson RD1S | Native M mount | APSC Sensor | APSC | Check on ebay |
Keeping your expectations in check
Before jumping in the best non Leica M mount cameras, it must be said that quite frankly there is no direct Leica alternative. For every Nikon there’s a Canon, but Leicas are unique making them hard to replace. Only a Leica can replace a Leice so no wonder why many consider Leica cameras worth it. There are cameras with the same-ish form factor but they always have something that keeps them from being full blown alternatives, like Full-frame. I will detail how each differ to Leicas as we go.
A word about sensor sizes
When it comes to lenses and cameras, sensor size maters a lot. The smaller the sensor, the higher the crop factor. So a 35mm leica lens is a 35mm on any full frame camera, but on an APSC sensor that is smaller, that 35mm acts likes a 52.5mm lens (a multiplication factor of x1.5). This is an important consideration because these completely change your lenses effective focal length.
This is also why you will not find any micro 4/3 cameras on this list of Non Leica M mount cameras. Even if the Olympus PEN F looks mighty good with Leica glass, your wide angle 28mm would become almost a 56mm (a crop factor of x2).
Enough said, let’s dig in the best Non Leica M mount cameras.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Full frame + 61 Megapixels + 10 FPS + Smallest full-frame besides Leica | – DSLR Form factor – Only supported by 3rd party adapters |
Leica M cameras are full frame cameras (well, except the M8) and if you want the same in a small camera there is only one option, the Sony A7R IV.
Why does this make top of the list of Non Leica M mount cameras? Well it has a full frame, small stature and way more options than any M camera. The one problem with it however, is that the A7R IV feels and acts more like a DLSR rather than a digital rangefinder.
This might be a deal breaker for some. But it is the only choice if you want to have a full frame non Leica M camera. The other choices on this list are only APSC sensor cameras. Below are some Sony a7 with Leica lenses sample images:
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| + REAL Rangefinder camera + Smaller than an M + Native M mount + Great dials for control + Smartphone operation + Built-in storage | – Only APSC Sensor – Doesn’t score too much in the looks department – Unknown manufacturer |
This is Leica’s only direct competitor in the sense that it is a real digital rangefinder camera and supports M lenses natively without any need for adapters. There is no screen and has a built-in large memory and has many connected smartphone features.
It has a close to a film Leica shooting experience and better yet It is a fraction of a Leica body but is APSC sensor. The camera’s looks is up for debate but is a far cry from Leica. Also, this is made by an unknown manufacturer and that is their only product, something to be aware about if they fold.
3. Fuji X-Pro III With M Adapter
The best of the Non Leica m mount cameras with first party, smart M adapter
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Beautiful rangefinder looks + Supports M mount in official adapter + Adapter records lens and corrects them in camera + M lenses look right at home + A fraction of the cost of a Leica + Slim adapter, doesn’t add to bulk | – APSC Sensor – On the large side |
Imagine your lenses are so good, even your competitors makes an official adapter for it! No wonder why Leica lenses are worth it. The good news is, Fuji cameras are the closest you can ever get to Leica cameras.
The X-pro line is Fuji’s flagship and holds pretty much the same as a Leica, being a rangefinder style camera. But there’s something special: Fuji makes an official M mount adapter.
Why does this make it in the list of the best Non Leica M mount cameras? Its a smart adapter that can record the lenses that you use and if has EXIF data and it is possible to correct for imperfections. This is one of the best support you will find out of Leica’s own stable. Being a Fuji you will also have the option to use Fuji’s own lenses if you so need.
In any case, if you are willing to overlook the fact that this is an APSC sensor camera, this is as close as a Leica as you can get for a fraction of the price. All of the following images and the ones for our next choice have been shot with an X-E1 with Leica lenses to give you an idea of what to expect.
That’s pretty much is for your choices as non Leica M mount cameras. The Fuji is the ultimate one if you do not mind the smaller sensor. If you don’t mind used cameras, here’s some more choices:
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Beautiful rangefinder looks + Supports M mount in official adapter + Adapter records lens and corrects them in camera + M lenses look right at home + A fraction of the cost of a Leica + Slim adapter, doesn’t add to bulk | – APSC Sensor |
The XPRO is a bit on the large side as a camera. The Fuji X-E3 fixes that by being much smaller. Some people prefer the XPRO with the bells and whistles, and some prefer the XE3 that has less features (it only has EVF) but is lighter to use. Snap in the M mount adapter and you have a close to Leica experience.
The downside? It’s an older camera that has been discontinued. It’s not been replaced as for some reason Fuji is pushing their DSLR-like T series. But it’s more than worth it for M lenses to hunt down.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| + No AA Filter + Legendary handling + Supports M mount natively + Can swap sensors + Has built in correction for M lenses | – APSC sensor |
This is one of the cheapest Non Leica M cameras you can find used. This was a revolutionary modular system where you could swap out the whole sensor and one of them was specifically made for Leica M mounts and could record data about the lens you are shooting and correct them. Along with Leica cameras, the Fujis with the M adapter, this is the only other camera to do so.
These can be found for cheap, and if you buy yourself two, you could transform one body into an infrared camera and swap them as you want. The sensor notably lacked an anti aliasing filter making the results of the M lenses extremely sharp. Here’s some sample images of the Ricoh GXR With M lenses:
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| + One of the most beautiful cameras ever made + Film experience with flip screen + Those dials on top + That film crank + Made for M lenses | – Not supported anymore – 6 Megapixels |
This is here for completion’s sake. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away Epson released a mythical camera based on a Bessa body. It was one of the best looking cameras ever, it had dials on top and a flip screen that could be completely turned around and it took M lenses.
It shot 6 megapixel files but since both the sensor and the lenses were great, they could be blown up easily. But the most incredible thing about this camera was the 1:1 viewfinder that allowed you to shoot with both of your eyes open. There are plenty of RD1s floating around and it is simply the best older alternative.
But just know that these are not serviced anymore, and it is one of the best cameras ever made that is simply a joy to use.
Best non Leica M mount cameras: Conclusion
I hope you have enjoyed this article about the best Non Leica M mount cameras. Like I said previously, Leicas don’t have much comparable cameras. If you really want full frame your choice is pretty much the A7R IV from Sony. If you do not mind the APSC sensor the Fuji X-Pro III is your best bet. It is the only modern camera other than Leica that supports the lenses and can write the lens metadata on your files and correct them in-camera.
If you do not mind going used, the XE-3 is just as good then the X-Pro, only smaller. As for even older models the Ricoh GRX M holds even to this day, while the Epson RD1 probably too ancient for most.