Leica M Typ 240 vs Leica SL: A Deep-Dive Comparison From a Seasoned Pro's Lens

Choosing between the Leica M Typ 240 and the Leica SL is like selecting your next trusted companion for a photographic journey: each offers a distinctly different experience shaped by Leica’s engineering philosophy and target audience. Having tested thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, including hands-on sessions with these two storied models, I’ll break down their differences across the critical aspects that matter most to serious photographers. From sensor capabilities to handling, autofocus, and even video - I will aim to provide you with a well-rounded, experience-driven comparison that goes far beyond spec sheets.

A Tale of Two Leica Designs: Rangefinder Tradition Meets Modern Mirrorless

At a glance, the M Typ 240 and Leica SL embody Leica’s two divergent design stories. The M Typ 240 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera, consciously designed to appeal to purists who cherish manual control and a discrete shooting experience. The SL, on the other hand, represents Leica’s modern SLR-style mirrorless push - bulky, powerful, packed with advanced autofocus, and tailored for versatility.

Size and Ergonomics: As you can see above, the M Typ 240 is compact at 139x80x42 mm and weighs a manageable 680g. The SL roughly doubles the volume with 147x104x39 mm and 847g, reflecting its professional build and larger grip. But physical bulk comes with tangible benefits: a deeply contoured grip on the SL enables better sustained handling, especially with heavy telephoto lenses. The M’s smaller body shines in street and travel scenarios where discretion and portability are prized.

Imaging Heart: Sensor and Image Quality

Both cameras carry a full-frame 36x24 mm CMOS sensor at around 24MP resolution - similar baseline specs concealing deeper technical contrasts.

• The M Typ 240 features an antialiasing filter, a Leica design choice providing smooth rendering with reduced moiré artifacts at the expense of some fine detail sharpness.
• The SL omits an AA filter, favoring razor-sharp images with a bit higher risk of moiré in certain scenarios.

In lab tests and real-world use, the SL edges out the M Typ 240 in dynamic range (13.4 vs 13.3 EV) and color depth (25-bit vs 24-bit), though the margins are small. The SL also boasts a dramatic boosting of native ISO capabilities, ranging from 50 up to a whopping ISO 50,000, whereas the M caps out at a native 6,400 ISO. This translates to much cleaner, more usable high ISO images on the SL - a real boon for low-light and astrophotography enthusiasts.

Practical takeaway: For landscapes demanding nuanced tonal gradations and subtle color fidelity, both excel, but the SL’s lack of AA filter and higher ISO performance give it an edge in tougher lighting.

Handling and User Interface: Classic Rangefinder vs. Contemporary Command

Handling the M Typ 240 is like playing a masterclass in minimalism - there is no autofocus, no touch screen, no electronic viewfinder, and just a few physical dials and buttons. The optical viewfinder (rangefinder) covers about 0.68x magnification with 100% field coverage, which means what you see is the exact framing, minus parallax correction at close distances.

On the flip side, the SL is a thoroughly modern digital camera: touchscreen-enabled rear LCD, high-res 4,400 pixel OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.8x magnification, and a raft of customizable buttons.

The M’s interface feels super engaging for those who enjoy slow, deliberate photography, especially portraits and street work where meter reading and manual focus honing become a zen practice. The SL’s setup aligns nicely with fast-paced environments like wildlife and sports, where one must juggle autofocus tracking, burst shooting, and exposure modes seamlessly.

Autofocus: Manual Precision vs. Autofocus Power

Here lies the crux of divergence: the Leica M Typ 240 entirely lacks autofocus capabilities - it’s a dedicated manual focus tool. No face detection, no tracking, no continuous AF modes. This might sound limiting but it’s part of the M’s charm and appeal to traditionalists.

The Leica SL, conversely, features a sophisticated contrast-detection autofocus system with face detection, continuous, selective, tracking, and multi-area AF modes covering 49 focus points. It handles fast action effortlessly with an 11 fps burst rate, compared to the M’s relatively pedestrian 3 fps mechanical shutter cycle.

For wildlife, sports, and event photography demanding speed and accuracy, the SL is decades ahead. Meanwhile, the M rewards precise focus control and deliberate framing, ideal for portrait, street, and documentary photographers who prefer direct connection over automation.

Image Stabilization: A Miss on Both

Neither camera offers in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means for slower shutter speeds or macro work, you’ll rely on stabilized lenses or solid technique/support systems. The M’s older Leica M lenses generally lack stabilization, while a few newer SL-mount lenses have stabilization, which pairs advantageously with the SL body.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Can You Take Them Anywhere?

Both cameras offer some level of weather sealing, a nod to Leica’s professional aspirations. However - and somewhat disappointingly - neither is fully waterproof, dustproof, or shockproof.

• The M Typ 240 features environmental sealing suited for light rain and dust.
• The SL ups the ante with a robust magnesium alloy body and seals - but despite this ruggedness, I would still avoid exposure to heavy downpours without protection.

The SL’s larger size also grants it more robust physical controls, beneficial in gloves or extreme environments.

Lens Ecosystem: Tradition vs. Modernity

The M Typ 240 mounts Leica’s iconic M-mount lenses, over 59 lenses available, many of which are legendary primes noted for their impeccable optics and beautiful bokeh. Their compactness complements the body’s stealth and portability.

The SL uses the Leica L-mount, designed for mirrorless systems with shorter flange distances, opening a gateway to 30 native lenses optimized for autofocus and higher resolving power demanded by the SL sensor.

Through adapters, the SL can also accept M-mount lenses - though without autofocus - allowing a hybrid approach. The lens ecosystems reflect the cameras’ philosophies: the M is about the tactile joy of manual glass, whereas the SL embraces modern versatility.

Video Capabilities: Modest vs. Pro-Level

Leica M Typ 240 screen back Leica SL front Leica SL screen back

For photographers who spill into video territory, the differences are stark.

• The M Typ 240’s video maxes out at 1080p/25fps in Motion JPEG format - serviceable but far from cutting edge. No microphone input, no headphone jack, no 4K recording.
• The SL offers 4K video recording at 24/30p, has microphone & headphone ports, and slow-motion 1080p up to 120fps, supporting more professional video workflows.

The SL’s video prowess makes it far superior for hybrid shooters or multimedia pros, while the M is essentially a stills-first camera where video is incidental.

Battery Life and Storage: Pragmatic Differences

The M Typ 240’s battery life is rated around 500 shots per charge with a single SD card slot. The SL tends to provide roughly 400 shots but features dual UHS-II SD card slots, an important consideration for professional reliability and backup during shoots.

The SL’s battery pack (BP-SCL4) supports faster USB 3.0 charging and tethered power options, suited for longer shoots.

Connectivity and Extras: The Modern Advantage

The M Typ 240 is refreshingly simple to the point of omitting wireless technologies - no Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth, no NFC, no GPS by default (optional module).

The Leica SL includes built-in GPS, Wi-Fi connectivity, HDMI output, and USB 3.0 transfer. This makes workflows smoother for photojournalists and digital-heavy shooters requiring fast file transfers and geotagging.

Performance Under the Lens: Field Discipline Across Genres

To bring it home, let’s examine real-world use case comparisons, supported by scoring metrics and my hands-on experience.

Portrait Photography

The M Typ 240 stands tall, with its exquisite color rendition and tactile combining of manual focus precision plus the creamy character of Leica M lenses. Skin tones are natural, subtle, and bokeh is buttery. However, the lack of focus assist requires patience and skills for consistently tack-sharp eyes.

The SL’s autofocus face detection and tracking greatly simplify portrait sessions, especially on the move or with unpredictable subjects, while its sensor and lack of AA filter yield slightly crisper results.

Landscape and Travel

Both deliver marvelous landscape shots, but the SL’s enhanced dynamic range and higher ISO capabilities make it more forgiving for dawn, dusk, or shadow detail. Weather sealing of the SL is more reassuring for extended outdoor trips.

The M’s smaller form factor and classic Leica handling, however, make it a long-time travel favorite for those favoring portability over brute force autofocus.

Wildlife and Sports

The Leica SL is the clear winner here, with fast AF, high burst rate (11 fps), and electronic viewfinder advantages. The M’s slow 3 fps and manual focusing make it almost impractical for action.

Street Photography

The M Typ 240 remains the gold standard for street shooters wanting to blend invisibly into urban life. Its silent leaf shutter options and rangefinder viewfinder permit candid moments elusive to larger mirrorless designs. The SL’s size and electronic shutter offer less subtlety.

Macro and Night Photography

Macro is a draw here, but the SL’s touchscreen and AF options aid focusing precision. The M’s limited ISO and lack of image stabilization complicate handheld night and close-up work; the SL’s ISO lift and video modes, including time lapse, broaden creative possibilities.

Pricing and Value: Investing Wisely in Leica

At launch pricing we have:

• Leica M Typ 240: Approximately $5,479
• Leica SL: Approximately $7,450

The premium on the SL reflects cutting-edge features and versatility ideal for professional workflows but isn’t justified unless you need its autofocus, video, and rapid shooting.

The M Typ 240 remains a favorite for enthusiasts and purists passionate about the rangefinder experience, classic manual lenses, and a tactile photographic process.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Leica M Typ 240 if:

• You crave a pure, manual, contemplative rangefinder photography experience
• You prioritize street photography, portraits, and travel compactness
• You have patience for manual focus and enjoy legendary M-mount glass
• Video and autofocus are not priorities

Choose the Leica SL if:

• You demand fast, reliable autofocus for wildlife, sports, events
• You want 4K video support with professional audio options
• You shoot in challenging lighting and need high ISO flexibility
• You benefit from dual card slots and robust connectivity in professional settings
• You require more rugged handling for active, demanding environments

I hope this comprehensive, hands-on comparison helps you zoom in on the Leica model that matches your photographic ambitions. Leica’s craftsmanship and outstanding image quality shine through in both cameras - your choice centers on the workflow, genres, and style you value most.

Happy shooting!