Leica M EV1 is not the EVF-M camera we were hoping
Watching many YouTubers who flew to Italy on Leica’s dime to review the new M EV1 felt… a bit cringe. The M EV1 is the first M-series Leica in roughly 70 years to swap the rangefinder for an EVF, and a lot of reviewers seemed to work overtime to justify why it exists and which “gap” it supposedly fills for current or potential M users. Honestly, most of those arguments didn’t land for me. It’s human nature, though when a brand pays for travel, hotels, food, and gives you early access in a gorgeous location, it’s tough to come home and say, “yeah, I don’t like it,” especially when early coverage can grow your channel.
New? Yes. Different for Leica? Yes. But in my view, the M EV1 is not a very good product. It feels poorly executed in key areas, and I’m skeptical about long-term demand once the launch hype fades.
Reasons to not Buy the Leica M EV1
Here are 6 reasons I think you shouldn’t buy the new Leica M EV1:
1- The M identity is the rangefinder
The rangefinder experience is what makes the M series special. With an EVF, the M EV1 loses that core appeal without offering anything uniquely compelling to justify an $8,995 price, unless you’re in the "buy-anything-Leica" camp.
2- The EVF isn’t best-in-class
For a $9K camera, the EVF should be exceptional. Magnification is 0.76x, resolution is 5.76M dots, and the 60 Hz refresh isn’t as smooth as 120 Hz finders. We even have EVFs with over 0.90x magnification, 9M dot reaolution and 240fps refresh rate in the market, such as the ones on the Sony A1 II and Canon EOS R1. That all adds up to a less-than-premium viewing experience.
Sony A1 II has a 0.90x, 9.44m-Dot EVF with 240 fps Refresh Rate
3- Slow startup hurts more on an EVF-only M
M11-series bodies take close to two seconds from off to ready. On a rangefinder M you can still frame before the camera fully boots. On the M EV1 you must wait for the EVF image first, which makes the lag feel worse.
4- Manual focus aids are basic and slow
You get focus magnification and peaking. Peaking alone isn’t precise, so you end up punching in, which slows you down. There’s no small corner magnifier — the whole frame jumps to a magnified view. Leica could have done far more here. Look at cameras that nail MF aids: Nikon Zf with its tools and eye-detect assist, or Fujifilm bodies like the X100VI and X-Pro series with smart overlays and hybrid ideas. Even a creative electronic rangefinder patch would be a nice touch.
Fujifilm X100VI offers Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder which offers OVF with rangefinder patch and EVF at the same time
5- No IBIS, despite losing the rangefinder
Removing the rangefinder mechanism should have freed space. IBIS would have genuinely differentiated the EV1 and helped manual focus shooters. Leica skipped it.
Leica Visoflex 2 Electronic Viewfinder is a quick way to get the EVF experience on your M11 and M10 cameras
6- The price makes alternatives hard to ignore
At $8,995 the M EV1 lacks the unique rangefinder experience. Current M10/M11 users can add a Visoflex and enjoy both worlds when they want. New buyers can get equal or better EVF shooting and similar IQ for far less with cameras like the Sony A7CR or Leica SL3, and M lenses adapt well. Or just grab a Leica Q3 for an excellent EVF camera with a stellar built-in lens.
Leica SL3 vs Sony A7R V vs Leica Q3 vs Leica M EV1 vs Sony A7CR Front View Size Comparison
Also read: New Leica M EV1 Size and Specs vs 60MP Alternatives: Leica SL3 vs Sony A7CR vs Leica Q3 vs Sony A7R V
What could Leica have done to make the M EV1 a much better offer?
- Cut startup time significantly.
- Use a best-in-class EVF, or even a hybrid concept like Fujifilm’s.
- Add smarter manual focus aids, including an optional corner magnifier and eye-detect assist for MF.
- Add IBIS to truly help adapted M glass.
- Lower the price to position EV1 as the accessible entry to the M line and make the margin back on lenses.
Conclusion
If you’re curious about the EVF-M idea, my take is simple: wait for the sequel. Whether Leica calls it the M EV2 or something else, a second-gen model will (hopefully) fix the startup lag, upgrade the EVF, add smarter MF aids, and maybe even bring IBIS. In the meantime, enjoy your M-mount lenses on the gear you already own—manual focusing on a classic M with a Visoflex, or adapting M glass to a modern EVF body, will likely give you a better experience today without an $8,995 gamble.
Leica M EV1 Key Specs
- Announcement Date: 2025-10-23
- 60MP - Full frame BSI-CMOS Sensor
- ISO 64 - 50000
- Leica M Mount
- 3.00" Fixed Type Screen
- 5760k dot Electronic viewfinder
- 4.5fps continuous shooting
- No Video Mode
- Built-in Wireless
- 484g. 139 x 80 x 38 mm
- Weather-sealed Body
- Read the Review
- Check Price at: Amazon, B&H Photo
