Leica M Typ 240

The M Typ 240 is a compact full-frame mirrorless camera built around the Leica M mount. At 139 x 80 x 42 mm and 680 g, it is easy to carry and stays discreet in use.

Shooting is hands-on by design. The 24 megapixel sensor, optical rangefinder viewfinder and manual focusing encourage a deliberate way of working, while live view on the rear screen offers a checking option when precision matters. It suits photographers who enjoy setting things themselves.

Daily ownership is straightforward but spartan. A single SD card, no built-in flash and no wireless transfer add a few small steps to routine shooting.

Our Optics score of 62 marks a good result, placing the camera around the middle of cameras in our database for Optics. The strengths and compromises sit together in one body.

The 24 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor is driven by the Maestro processor, and that resolution leaves room for cropping and large prints. ISO runs from 200 to 6400, and the 1/4000s top shutter speed means fast lenses in bright conditions may call for a neutral density filter.

Autofocus is absent by design. With zero autofocus points, you focus M lenses yourself through the rangefinder patch, and live view provides a focus check for critical shots. That suits considered subjects over fleeting action, and the 3 fps top burst reinforces the same unhurried pace.

There is no in-body stabilisation, so handheld work needs steady technique and adequate shutter speeds. The optical rangefinder viewfinder keeps the scene visible beyond the frame lines, which helps with timing and composition.

Video is a secondary capability here, and its score of 43 is modest. The camera records motion clips, but the M Typ 240 remains a stills camera first.

Recording tops out at Full HD, and the maximum frame rate is 30 fps. These are separate maximums rather than a confirmed combined recording mode. Footage saves as Motion JPG or MOV files, giving two format options for recording.

Focusing during recording is manual, in keeping with the rangefinder design, since the camera has no autofocus points at all. Live view supplies the framing view on the rear screen, and without a built-in timelapse mode, interval projects mean shooting stills and assembling them afterwards.

The fixed 3-inch TFT screen offers no touch input and does not flip out, so low or overhead angles mean repositioning the camera rather than the display.

The features score of 54 is modest, and the split is clear: the essentials are solid while modern conveniences are missing.

The 3-inch TFT screen offers 920,000 dots, enough for checking focus and composition. There is no touch input and the screen does not flip out, so awkward angles mean adjusting your position instead of the display.

The body is weather sealed, which helps when shooting outdoors in rough conditions. With no built-in flash, the hot shoe carries whatever external unit you need.

Connectivity is sparse: there is no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS. Copying images means taking the card out, and location data has to come from another source.

Storage and battery is the lowest-scoring section here at 27, and the limited assessment fits. These are planning issues rather than reasons to walk away from the camera.

One SD, SDHC or SDXC slot handles storage, with SDXC support accepting high-capacity cards. There is no second slot, so the camera cannot write a backup copy, and a full card stops the shoot until you swap in a fresh card.

The BP-SCL2 battery is rated at 500 shots, though real-world results depend on settings and usage. USB charging is absent, so pack the charger and consider a spare battery for longer outings.