There’s 6 versions of the M10 out there, and if you are looking for a comparison between the Leica M10 vs M10R, here is the complete breakdown of what you need to know with image samples.
Leica M10 vs M10r at a glance
| Name | Camera 1 | Camera 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Camera name | Leica M10 | Leica M10R |
 |  | |
| Sensor size | Full Frame | Full Frame |
| Megapixels | 24 | 40 |
| Lens type | M mount | M mount |
| Lens (35mm equivalent) | NA | NA |
| Max aperture | NA | NA |
| Max ISO | 50,000 | 50,000 |
| FPS | 5 | 4.5 |
| Memory Card | SDXC Slot | SDXC Slot |
| Wireless | WI-FI | WI-FI |
| Dimensions | 5.5 × 3.1 × 1.5 | 5.5 × 3.1 × 1.5 |
| Weight | 1.45 lb / 660 g | 1.45 lb / 660 g |
| Where to get | Check For Best Price | Check For Best Price |
Now that we’ve seen the overview let’s get into…
Leica M10 vs M10R Similarities
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words so let’s play a little game of find the difference. Can you spot them below?
Not only are the cameras pretty much identical looking the specifications are pretty much the same too:
| Camera Type | Rangefinder camera | Rangefinder camera |
| Camera Lens | Leica M mount lenses | Leica M mount lenses |
| Launch Date | January 2017 | July 2020 |
| Sensor Specs | Leica M10 | Leica M10-R |
| Sensor Technology | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Format | Full Frame Sensor | Full Frame Sensor |
| Sensor Resolution | 23.8 Megapixels | 40.9 Megapixels |
| Image Resolution | 5952 x 3992 pixels | 7864 x 5200 pixels |
| Movie Capability | no Video | no Video |
| ISO Setting | 100 – 50,000 ISO | 100 – 50,000 ISO |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | Optical viewfinder |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.73x | 0.73x |
| LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
| Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 3.0inch |
| LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Fixed screen |
| Touch Input | no Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
| Focus System | Manual Focus | Manual Focus |
| Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | Focus Peaking |
| Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous Shooting | 5 fps | 4.5 fps |
| Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | no On-Board Flash |
| Storage Medium | SDXC cards | SDXC cards |
| UHS card support | UHS-I | UHS-I |
| External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
| Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | Wifi built-in |
| Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | Weathersealed body |
| Battery Type | BP-SCL5 | BP-SCL5 |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 210 shots per charge | 210 shots per charge |
| Body Dimensions | 139 x 80 x 39 mm (5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5 in) | 139 x 80 x 39 mm (5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5 in) |
| Camera Weight | 660 g (23.3 oz) | 660 g (23.3 oz) |
You cannot because the Leica M10R is virtually identical physically to the original M10, nobody will know what version you have. Look at the images above again and it’s practically impossible to tell these cameras apart. It’s also pretty much the exact same camera inside with the same viewfinder, but there are a few key differences…
Leica M10 vs M10R Differences
1. One has twice the resolution of the other
Between the Leica M10 vs M10R this is really the star difference. No matter what Leica says this is not an upgrade, more of a refresh when it comes to the M line. Kind of like the “S” line of phones that Apple pushes in between the main numbered phones. The M10R has an upgraded resolution of 40 megapixels.
When it comes to the original M10 it is only 24 megapixels but it is quite frankly more than enough for pretty much everything. But with the upgraded 40 megapixel sensor you can really crop and still have very usable images. So you could go from 28mm and crop to a 50mm equivalent and still have a large file to play around with, a bit like the Leica Q2 does with it’s 40mp. Even if you are not a fan of cropping the higher resolution reduces the chances of moiré patterns in your images.
WINNER: Leica M10R
2. One has the M10-P shutter
Next as a difference between the Leica M10 vs M10r is the shutter sound. If you’ve ever shot or heard a DSLR fire you know what the M10 sounds like when it shoots. CLICK! CLICK! While it is satisfyingly addictive to hear it breaks the stealth aspect, especially if you like street photography. The M10-R has a way quieter shutter. It sounds like a mirrorless camera shooting so you could pass by someone and they will barely notice if you fired.
This is also great for assignments like weddings so that when the priest is talking, no one hears the clacks the 10 makes.
WINNER: Leica M10R
3. One has better image quality at night
When it comes to low light, it’s not just about the highest ISO. It is also how the sensor handles low light. The M8 technically could go as high as 1600 but it was a mess at that level. While the M10 is one of the best low light Leicas, the M10R goes beyond with reduced image noise and increased dynamic range so it resists over and underexposure better.
WINNER: Leica M10R
4. One has a touchscreen
Next in our Leica M10 vs M10R comparison, the M10R sports a touchscreen. This is not a deal breaker but it does offer quality of live improvement. You can pinch to zoom like a smartphone but more importantly you can double tap to bring in the view magnified.
WINNER: Leica M10R
5. One has a slightly lower FPS
Leicas aren’t exactly the cameras for frames per seconds but in any case the original M10 has a 5fps capability while the M10R only has 4.5fps. This is probably due to buffer issues because the camera has to process more data then a smaller file. In reality however you really barely feel the difference.
WINNER: Leica M10
6. One is almost twice the price of the other
This is the final difference between the Leica M10 vs M10R. The original M10 is discontinued, because well, Leica wouldn’t want to compete with itself. This leaves the Leica M10R as the only current Leica M10 version available now. The price of a used M10 can go anywhere from 4-5k while the M10R is almost double that. If you are restricted the M10 is a great deal to get.
WINNER: Leica M10
| Camera 1 | Camera 2 |
|---|---|
| Leica M10 | Leica M10R |
| |
| Check For Best Price | Check For Best Price |
Conclusion, which one to get?
So between the Leica M10 vs M10R, which one should you get? The choice is pretty simple, if you have an M10 already there is no need to upgrade. If you want to get your first M10 and budget is no issue, the M10R is the best choice and one heck of a camera. Check for best price here.