Leica M8 Black (10701)

The Leica M8 Black (10701) is the first digital camera in the Leica M rangefinder line, built around a 10.3-megapixel APS-H CCD sensor with a 1.3x crop factor, ISO 160–2500, a mechanical shutter up to 1/8000s, optical rangefinder viewfinder, and Leica M mount — all in a 544g all-metal body that shoots JPEG and RAW to SD cards at up to 2fps.

Key Specifications

• Sensor: 10.3MP APS-H CCD
• Crop Factor: 1.3x
• ISO Range: 160–2500
• Shutter Speed: 32s–1/8000s
• Viewfinder: Optical rangefinder
• Lens Mount: Leica M mount
• File Formats: JPEG + RAW
• Storage: SD card
• LCD: 2.5-inch, 230,000 pixels (fixed, no touch, no live view)
• Flash: Hot shoe with Leica TTL compatibility, no built-in flash
• Burst Rate: 2fps
• Weight: 544g (body only)

What makes the Leica M8 special?

The M8 is a landmark camera — it took the mechanical soul of the Leica M film rangefinder and put a digital sensor behind the rangefinder optics for the first time. That CCD sensor has its own character: colours are punchy, files have a chrome-like quality straight out of camera, and the rendering feels distinctly analog in a way that modern CMOS sensors rarely replicate.

Compared to the Leica M9, the M8 produces 10.3MP files versus the M9's 18MP, which means smaller files and a slight loss in maximum print size — but many photographers actually prefer the M8's tonal rendering and its slightly more aggressive grain at higher ISO. The cameras feel nearly identical in the hand; the real difference is in what happens in post. The M9 is full-frame, the M8 is APS-H with that 1.3x crop factor — so a 35mm lens on the M8 renders more like a 46mm equivalent. That's worth keeping in mind when building your kit.

Against the later Leica M240, the M8 is a generation older and lacks live view, Wi-Fi, video, and a higher-resolution rear screen — but it's also considerably lighter on the used market price-wise, and the CCD look is genuinely different from the M240's CMOS output. If you're shooting street or portraiture and the "look" matters more than the spec sheet, the M8 holds its own. Against a modern mirrorless like the Fujifilm X100VI, the M8 offers no autofocus, no stabilisation, and no connectivity — but it also forces a shooting discipline that many photographers find creatively liberating.

Browse the full range of Leica M cameras to compare the M8 alongside the M9 and M240 side by side.

Who is the Leica M8 for?

The M8 is built for photographers who shoot deliberately. There's no autofocus, no image stabilisation, no live view, and no burst shooting to speak of — 2fps is a ceiling, not a feature. If that sounds like a limitation, the M8 probably isn't your camera. If that sounds like a feature, read on.

Street photographers love the M8 because it's small, quiet, and unintimidating. The optical rangefinder gives you a view of the world beyond the frame, which helps anticipate moments rather than react to them. The 544g body disappears on a shoulder strap for a full day of shooting.

Portrait photographers who pair it with fast Leica M glass — or third-party options like the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.2 or the 35mm f/1.2 Nokton — get creamy, characterful results that feel very different from modern high-resolution mirrorless output. The CCD rendering is a genuine aesthetic choice, not just a compromise.

Travel photographers who want to pack light and shoot without drawing attention will appreciate a camera that fits in a jacket pocket with a compact prime attached. The all-metal Leica build quality means it survives real travel conditions.

Film shooters going digital — or collectors who want an entry point into the Leica M digital ecosystem — will find the M8 the most accessible gateway. It takes the same Leica M lenses you'd use on a film M camera, so your existing glass transfers directly.

It is not a camera for sports, wildlife, video, or anyone who relies on autofocus. For a broader look at manual-focus digital options, check out the mirrorless camera section.

Buying a used Leica M8

Buying a second-hand M8 is a smart move if you know what to check. The camera is mechanically robust — Leica M bodies were built to last decades — but a used CCD-sensor camera of this age has a few things worth examining before you commit.

The IR filter issue: The M8's CCD sensor is sensitive to infrared light, which causes certain dark fabrics (especially synthetic blacks) to render with a magenta or purple cast. Leica released an IR/UV cut filter for M mount lenses as a fix, and many M8 users always shoot with one attached. When buying used, ask whether an IR filter is included or whether the previous owner has sent the camera to Leica for the official IR coating upgrade. This is the most specific M8 quirk to be aware of.

Shutter count: On a pre-owned M8 it's worth asking about shutter actuations or checking via EXIF data in RAW files to get a sense of how hard the camera has been used.

Rangefinder calibration: The rangefinder patch in the optical viewfinder should align precisely with what the lens is focused on. Any misalignment results in front or back focus, which is critical on a camera with no autofocus confirmation. A well-maintained used M8 will be calibrated correctly; if there's any doubt, Leica service centres can recalibrate.

LCD and sensor condition: The 2.5-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD is modest by today's standards, but check for dead pixels or delamination. More importantly, inspect the sensor for dust — without a cleaning mechanism or sensor shake, any dust on the CCD stays put until manually addressed.

Every used M8 on Camera-tweedehands.nl is individually inspected and photographed, comes with a minimum 12 months warranty, and includes a 14-day return window. Check the variant listing for the specific warranty period on your item.