Leica M10-P with level gauge, touchscreen and a much quieter shutter

[Leon_B.]

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Only a month before photokina 2018 the german camera manufacturer introduced the new LEICA M10-P with some great new features. The new camera is available as of now for US $7,995 in black and silver chrome.
 
The main changes compared to the Leica M10 are:

• The touch screen
• The high demanded level gauge
• A distinctly quieter shutter

» Information and official press release
» Leica M10-P Review by Jonathan Slack 

[jay968]

The M10-P seems to me to be a bit of a disappointment. I was very excited to read about the quieter shutter, but after listening to the posted comparisons between it and the regular M10, I am not convinced the difference is worth much. I was hoping when I read about a level gauge that it would be one that could be seen through the optical viewfinder, but you can't. The touch screen means absolutely nothing to me. Lastly, I think the black dots sold by DAG look better on an M camera than the screw on the P versions.

 

So, on a positive note, I suppose that if I had neither camera I would opt for the P, but on the other hand, I get to save some money by not worrying about doing an upgrade.

Edited August 21, 2018 by jay968

[IkarusJohn]

The camera looks nice; a typical “P” refresh, much the same as we had for the M9 and the M240-P. The trafitional topdeck and script, no dot and a number of technical improvements which either were not considered or not available for the original release. Changing the chip to include the horizon is a nice touch responding to customer demand.

 

Similarly, the carping here follows the same tired trail set on the release of the M9P and the M240P - why didn’t Leica include all this in the original camera, Leica is just profiteering, the improvements don’t warrant upgrading, why didn’t we get (insert pet demands), I’m pissed off and selling my Leica gear ... etc

 

A quick look at Leica’s digital M history shows that Leica always releases a P or other upgrade mid term (M8.2?) - the improvements vary, but there is always something more than just a nice top-plate. For Leica, it extends the product life cycle. If you prefer the P model, wait. Of course, you then need to exercise restraint when the next base model is released and live with the fact that your P model is going to be old tech shortly- M11 anyone?

[Tailwagger]

Changing the chip to include the horizon is a nice touch responding to customer demand.

 

According to Leica Rumors:

'

• Same sensor, processor, LCD (Gorilla Glass), ISO, connections, frame selector, buffer as the M10.

Hopefully this means that at some point we'll see a firmware upgrade for the M10. I've cursed its loss on multiple occasions most recently this past weekend. 

[IkarusJohn]

According to Leica Rumors:

'

 

• Same sensor, processor, LCD (Gorilla Glass), ISO, connections, frame selector, buffer as the M10.

Hopefully this means that at some point we'll see a firmware upgrade for the M10. I've cursed its loss on multiple occasions most recently this past weekend.

Apparently not. Jono has confirmed on another thread that the horizon is not a firmware upgrade. Edited August 21, 2018 by IkarusJohn

[Tailwagger]

Apparently not. Jono has confirmed on another thread that the horizon is not a firmware upgrade.

Grrr...

[Tailwagger]

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Read through Jono's article. Per him there is additional hardware. Sigh.  Not worth the $3-6k upgrade cost AFAIC, particularly as the other two additional features he cites are of low to zero interest to me.

[IkarusJohn]

I doubt I'd upgrade either.  I don't have an M10 (I use the SL and TL2 for colour digital).  At this stage, it's only the M-D version that would make me move, and there are many details on that camera which remain unknown.  That said, the M10 version is as close to perfect from my perspective as makes no difference.  I spend no time worrying about what my cameras don't have or what they do have that I don't want.  

 

For me, time is better spent understanding and making the most of what they are and then using them till they die (the exception being if I find the camera is fundamentally flawed or just doesn't work for me - all the Sonys I've tried, the Nikon D800e and the original TL).  At this stage, I have the M-A and Monochrom v1.  Adding the M-D would give me the perfect mix, and I don't see an upgrade in the future.  Each camera is as good as I'd want it.

[jaapv]

I’m sure that it is a nice camera, but I find it rather uninspired. The market will show whether it is worth the extra cost.

[Jeff S]

I checked my M10 today just to be sure. It still works.

 

And looks and sounds fine. [The cosmetic differences are not as apparent as prior P editions, as the M10 already lacks white M lettering on front.]

 

Jeff

[tonyniev]

i upgraded my M10 with a level and liked the red dot so much I added a larger logo ...and I have an ear plug

Edited August 21, 2018 by tonyniev

[microview]

Someone else suggested using the hot shoe to fit a bubble level. Fine for tripod mounting (which I would do) but it means waist-level camera position to check rather than camera viewfinder to the eye. If, as noted above, the P camera does not show level indicator via viewfinder than I shan't miss its absence on the M10 so much.

[IkarusJohn]

I checked my M10 today just to be sure. It still works.

And looks and sounds fine. [The cosmetic differences are not as apparent as prior P editions, as the M10 already lacks white M lettering on front.]

Jeff

I thought it might have packed itself into its box and headed back to Wetzlar.

[Jeff S]

I thought it might have packed itself into its box and headed back to Wetzlar.

I hope it’s smart enough to avoid New Jersey.

 

Jeff

[microview]

. If, as noted above, the P camera does not show level indicator via viewfinder than I shan't miss its absence on the M10 so much.

 

Silly me, obviously you would need the hotshoe EVF to see that 'horizontal level' with camera at eye level. Rangefinder window is solely that (and for framelines).