Leica M8

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    Highlights

    • 10.35 MP APS-H CCD Sensor
    • No Optical Low-pass Filter
    • 160 - 2,500 Native ISO
    • 2.5" 230k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (rangefinder) Viewfinder
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Leica M8 was announced in 2007 and is an APS-H (27 x 18 mm) Mirrorless camera with 10.35 Megapixel CCD sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 160 to 2,500. The camera has a Fixed 2.5" screen with 230k dot resolution and built-in Optical (rangefinder) viewfinder.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Successor
    4. Screen and Viewfinder
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Here is the Leica M series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Leica M series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Leica M11 Monochrom
    Compare
    		April
    2023    		 60.3 MP
    Full Frame    		 64 - 50,000 Fixed 3.0"
    2,333k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Leica M11
    Compare
    		January
    2022    		 60.3 MP
    Full Frame    		 64 - 50,000 Fixed 3.0"
    2,333k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Leica M10
    Compare
    		January
    2017    		 24 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 50,000 Fixed 3.0"
    1,037k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica M Edition 60
    Compare
    		September
    2014    		 23.7 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica M-E Typ 220
    Compare
    		September
    2012    		 18.0 MP
    Full Frame    		 80 - 2,500 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica M Typ 240
    Compare
    		September
    2012    		 24 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica M Monochrom
    Compare
    		May
    2012    		 19 MP
    Full Frame    		 160 - 10,000 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica M9-P
    Compare
    		June
    2011    		 18.0 MP
    Full Frame    		 80 - 2,500 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica M9
    Compare
    		September
    2009    		 18.0 MP
    Full Frame    		 80 - 2,500 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica M8.2
    Compare
    		September
    2008    		 10.35 MP
    APS-H    		 160 - 2,500 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica M8 July
    2007    		 10.35 MP
    APS-H    		 160 - 2,500 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Leica M11 Monochrom vs M11 vs M10 vs M Edition 60 vs M-E Typ 220 vs M Typ 240.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Leica M8.

    PROS

    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.35 Megapixel
    •   160 Lowest Native ISO
    •   2,500 Highest Native ISO
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 59
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
    •   Weight - 591 g (1.30 lb / 20.85 oz)

    Successor

    In 2008 Leica M8 was replaced by Leica M8.2. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Leica M8 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Leica M8.2 vs Leica M8
    Longer Battery Life 575 shots vs 550 shots
    DOWNGRADES Leica M8.2 vs Leica M8
    Lower Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/8000 sec
    Lower Flash Sync Speed 1/180 sec vs 1/250 sec

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Leica M8 vs M8.2.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Leica M8 has a 2.5" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.


    Optical (rangefinder) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (rangefinder) viewfinder.

    Sensor

    Leica M8 features a 10.35 megapixel APS-H CCD sensor with dimensions of 27 x 18 mm and a total area of 486 mm2. Its native ISO range is 160 - 2,500.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Leica M8's APS-H sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera can take pictures up to 3936 x 2630 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 2952 x 1972, 1968 x 1315, 1312 x 876 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Leica M8 has Leica M lens mount. Due to APS-H sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.3x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.3.


    No Low-Pass Filter

    There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Leica M8.

    Leica M9-P
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    Full Frame

    18.0 MP

    Leica M8.2
    Image cannot be found

    APS-H

    10.35 MP

    Leica M11 Monochrom
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    60.3 MP

    Leica M11
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    60.3 MP

    Leica M Monochrom
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    19 MP

    Leica M Edition 60
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    23.7 MP

    Leica M9
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    18.0 MP

    Leica M Typ 240
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24 MP

    Leica M10
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24 MP

    Leica M-E Typ 220
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    18.0 MP

    Hasselblad X2D 100c
    Image cannot be found

    Medium format

    100 MP

    Fujifilm GFX 100 II
    Image cannot be found

    Medium Format

    102 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input

    Leica M8 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Leica M8 has Micro-processor controlled metal-blade slotted shutter with vertical movement. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec.


    Flash

    Leica M8 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via TTL Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Leica M8 has dimensions of 139 x 80 x 37 mm (5.47 x 3.15 x 1.46"). It weighs 591 g (1.30 lb / 20.85 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    139 mm (5.47")

    80 mm (3.15")

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    80 mm (3.15")

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    37 mm (1.46")

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    Leica M8 dimensions

    Leica M8 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Leica M8 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    AVERAGE
    65

    Leica M8 gets a score of 65 and is AVERAGE choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    POOR
    43

    Leica M8 gets a score of 43 and is POOR choice for Sports photography.

    •   2,500 Highest Native ISO
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots

    Wildlife Photography

    POOR
    42

    Leica M8 gets a score of 42 and is POOR choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   2,500 Highest Native ISO
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    70

    Leica M8 gets a score of 70 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    78

    Leica M8 gets a score of 78 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 591 g (1.30 lb / 20.85 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    78

    Leica M8 gets a score of 78 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 591 g (1.30 lb / 20.85 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots

    Leica M8 Evaluation

    We evaluate Leica M8 and give score of 44 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    44

    Sensor

    GOOD
    70

    We give Leica M8 a score of 70 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.35 Megapixel
    •   160 Lowest Native ISO
    •   2,500 Highest Native ISO
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 59

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    60

    We give Leica M8 a score of 60 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Leica M8 a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    BAD
    0

    We give Leica M8 a score of 0 for Focusing parameters.

    •   No Face Detection

    Screen and Viewfinder

    AVERAGE
    62

    We give Leica M8 a score of 62 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

    Connectivity

    POOR
    40

    We give Leica M8 a score of 40 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    POOR
    42

    We give Leica M8 a score of 42 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 591 g (1.30 lb / 20.85 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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