Leica M8 vs Samsung NX300M: A Tale of Two Rangefinder-Style Mirrorless Cameras from Different Worlds

When vintage charm meets modern convenience, you get an intriguing camera comparison. The Leica M8 and Samsung NX300M both sport rangefinder-style mirrorless designs, yet they hail from very different eras, philosophies, and technological depths. With years of testing countless cameras under my belt - from the rugged outdoors to studio portrait sessions - I was eager to pit these two against each other, exploring how their specs translate into real-world performance across various photography genres.

Pull up a chair; let's dive into a detailed, hands-on comparison covering everything from sensor tech to ergonomics, autofocus to image quality, all punctuated with plenty of personal impressions and some hard data. And yes, I’ll pepper in some images to help us visually track the tale.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Size and bodily presence are often underestimated factors in a camera's charm and usability. The Leica M8 is a hefty fellow, carrying its APS-H sensor inside a beautifully crafted, metal rangefinder-style body. Weighing in at 591 grams and measuring 139 x 80 x 37 mm, it clearly prioritizes a tactile, substantial feel that Leica aficionados cherish.

The Samsung NX300M is far more petite and lightweight (331 grams, 122 x 64 x 41 mm), clearly designed with portability and casual shooting in mind, yet still sporting that rangefinder-style silhouette.

Handling-wise, I enjoyed the Leica’s vintage appeal combined with robust metal housing that instills confidence - though it does mean longer carry times might wear on you. The NX300M’s smaller footprint makes it a delight for street and travel use, slipping invisibly into a jacket pocket or purse.

In practice, the Leica demands deliberate, slow shooting consistent with its manual focus and rangefinder heritage. The NX300M, by contrast, lends itself to quicker, more spontaneous shooting styles.

Top Deck: Controls and Design Logic

Both cameras embrace rangefinder styling, but their control placement reveals completely different mindsets.

Leica upholds its heritage with minimalistic, tactile dials: aperture priority and manual exposure mode with dedicated shutter speed dial - a nod to analog enthusiasts. The lack of autofocus or multiple focus points reminds you this is a camera for deliberate composition and focusing by eye.

Samsung’s NX300M, however, tilts towards digital convenience. It packs an exposure compensation dial, touchscreen controls, a dedicated mode dial with all the usual modern exposure modes, and a snappy shutter release. There’s no optical viewfinder - a notable divergence from Leica’s optical rangefinder - but its design maximizes live view shooting efficiency.

Looking through the lens of user interface design, the M8 caters to those comfortable with old-school manual focusing and exposure control, while the NX300M aims at beginners to enthusiasts who want flexibility, autofocus assistance, and video.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

At the core of any camera is its sensor, and here we see some interesting tradeoffs.

The Leica M8 boasts a 10.3MP APS-H (27 x 18mm) CCD sensor - notably unique for its time (2007). This sensor size falls between full-frame and APS-C, giving a focal length multiplier of about 1.3x. While lower resolution by modern standards, the M8’s CCD sensor excels in color depth (21.1 bits according to DxO) and dynamic range (~11.3 stops). Its native ISO tops out at 2500, which reflects its age and limits its low-light use somewhat.

Samsung’s NX300M has a more modern 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.7mm) with a 1.5x crop factor, effectively smaller sensor area than Leica. But its CMOS technology allows much higher ISO sensitivity (up to 25,600), better noise control at high sensitivities, and higher resolution for detailed prints. The sensor has a conventional anti-aliasing filter, which slightly smooths images but prevents moiré.

In practical use, the Leica produces gorgeous color rendition, slightly warmer and more “film-like,” with a distinctive character. The Samsung reliably captures sharp files with excellent detail and cleaner high-ISO performance - great for handheld low-light shooting or sports.

Seeing Is Believing: LCD and Viewfinders

The Leica M8 offers an optical rangefinder viewfinder - no magnification specifications, no electronic overlay. It’s a solid solution for manual focusing purists, with a design that demands learning. However, its fixed and modest 2.5” LCD screen with only 230k pixels doesn’t do much to assist focusing or image review.

The Samsung NX300M drops the optical viewfinder entirely, relying on a 3.3” tilting AMOLED touchscreen with a crisp 768k pixels. The Live View display is responsive, offering tap-to-focus and manual focus assist features. For compositional flexibility, especially on-the-go, the tilt screen is highly advantageous.

For fast shooting and review in bright sunlight, the Leica’s screen is clearly behind the times. Meanwhile, the NX300M’s bright OLED display - plus touch control - feels contemporary and user-friendly.

Autofocus Systems: Manual Vs. Modern AF Wizardry

Here’s where the Leica M8 starkly diverges from the NX300M. Leica’s model completely lacks autofocus - entirely manual focus via the rangefinder mechanism is your only option. The M8 has no autofocus points or tracking support, challenging for anyone accustomed to instant AF.

The Samsung NX300M brings a powerful hybrid autofocus system, combining contrast-detection and phased-detection AF with 247 selectable focus points. Its AF system supports face detection and continuous tracking - crucial for capturing moving subjects in wildlife or sports photography.

In my tests, the NX300M’s autofocus was surprisingly quick and accurate for an entry-level mirrorless from 2013, able to lock focus reliably even in challenging light. The Leica’s focusing method demands patience and skill - a rewarding process for manual focus lovers but impractical for fast action.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability

Neither camera is weather sealed or designed for abuse. The Leica’s full metal body imparts a sense of durability not matched by the plastic-and-metal Samsung NX300M. Yet, the NX300M’s smaller size and lighter weight could mean less fatigue during long shoots.

Both require care when shooting in harsh conditions, so sports, wildlife, or travel photographers aiming for rugged usage might want to consider more weatherproof options.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The Leica M8 mounts the legendary Leica M lenses - 59 native M lenses available, renowned for optical excellence and unique rendering.

The Samsung NX system offers 32 lenses designed for the mount, covering wide-angle to telephoto, and third-party options are few or non-existent. The system is more limited but sufficient for beginners and general enthusiasts.

As a Leica M user myself, I can attest the glass is often the camera’s star here; the M8’s lenses offer exceptional sharpness, creamy bokeh, and color character - qualities highly prized in portrait and street photography. Samsung’s lenses are decent, but not world class.

Battery Life and Storage

The Leica M8 excels with around 550 shots per charge, impressive for a 2007 digital camera. The NX300M’s battery life is more modest at approximately 330 shots, typical for cameras with active OLED screens and live view autofocus.

Both cameras use SD card storage, with the NX300M supporting SDXC for larger capacity.

Connectivity and Modern Features

The Leica M8, being from 2007, lacks wireless connectivity, GPS, or HDMI output.

The Samsung NX300M (2013) adds NFC for quick smartphone pairing, HDMI out for external monitoring, and USB 2.0. No microphone input for video is a drawback, and Bluetooth is absent.

Shooting Genres Explored: How They Perform in the Wild

Let’s break down how each camera fares across popular genres - from portraits to astros - drawing on personal testing:

Portrait Photography

Leica M8’s user-directed manual focus may feel slow, but its M-mount lenses produce exquisite, creamy bokeh and flattering skin tones with organic color rendition. Facial details pop with nuanced depth. The lack of face detection autofocus demands skill, but the payoff is artistic control.

Samsung’s face detection autofocus aids beginners, and the 20MP sensor gives crisp detail. However, the bokeh is less smooth, and colors are more clinical. Its tilting screen helps refined composition from odd angles.

Verdict: Leica excels for intimate, deliberate portraiture aficionados. Samsung provides convenience and speed for casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

Leica M8’s larger APS-H sensor and excellent dynamic range help capture wide tonal gradations and subtle highlights/shadows. The 10MP resolution is limiting for very large prints though.

Samsung’s 20MP APS-C sensor delivers more resolution, but slightly less dynamic range. The tilt screen aids composition, especially for low-angle shots. Len ecosystem diversity aids ultrawide options.

Verdict: Leica’s superior tonal range suits landscape purists; Samsung offers higher resolution and better versatility.

Wildlife Photography

Here, the Samsung NX300M shines: its fast 9fps burst mode, advanced AF tracking and continuous AF eases capturing birds or mammals in motion. The longer native and third-party telephoto lenses help too.

Leica M8’s manual focus and slow shutter speed max (1/8000 sec but no burst) make it impractical for fast wildlife action.

Sports Photography

Samsung’s quick AF, burst mode, and high ISO capability make it the clear winner for sports shooters needing fast, accurate action capture.

Leica M8 is simply not designed for this use case.

Street Photography

Leica’s discreet form, solid build, and unique rendering make it beloved by street shooters who appreciate manual focusing and slower pacing.

Samsung’s smaller size and silent shutter options (though limited) lend it easy portability and unobtrusive shooting, but lack the mechanical charm of Leica.

Macro Photography

Neither camera has specialized macro capabilities or IS, but the NX300M’s autofocus assistance and higher resolution give an edge for handheld macro shooting with suitable lenses.

Leica M8 requires manual focus precision, limiting macro ease but rewarding those who master it.

Night and Astro Photography

Leica’s native ISO max of 2500 and CCD sensor limits low-light options. Its rangefinder may hinder precise focusing in darkness.

Samsung’s high ISO up to 25,600 and live view focus peaking allow easier night shooting and astrophotography.

Video Capabilities

Leica M8 does not record video.

Samsung NX300M offers Full HD 1080p video (1920x1080) with manual exposure control. No microphone input limits audio quality, but it’s adequate for casual use.

Travel Photography

Samsung’s compact size, live view, and autofocus make it a natural travel companion.

Leica’s build quality, classical styling, and lens selection may appeal to slower travel and urban exploration.

Professional Use

Neither camera is aimed at heavy professional workflows. Leica M8’s file format supports RAW, but limited resolution and manual focus mean it’s more boutique/provenance gear than production powerhouse.

Samsung NX300M supports RAW, advanced AF, and connectivity, but is an entry-level system, lacking pro ruggedness or workflow integrations.

Summarizing Strengths and Shortcomings

Where Do These Cameras Fit Today?

The Leica M8 is a vintage marvel - a camera for the contemplative, deliberate photographer who values build quality, manual craft, and lens tradition above speed or versatility. If you want authentic rangefinder experience, rich color depth, and don’t mind learning manual focus inside out, this is a gem - though pricey for its sensor specs.

The Samsung NX300M is a solid entry-level mirrorless camera of its time (2013), embracing modern conveniences like hybrid autofocus, touchscreen controls, and video while keeping a compact form. It suits casual photographers and enthusiasts wanting a flexible, easy-to-carry system with newer sensor tech.

My Recommendations by User Type

• Portrait Enthusiasts: Leica M8. The superior color rendition, beautiful lenses, and characterful rendering outweigh autofocus convenience if you enjoy manual focus artistry.

• Landscape Shooters: Leica M8 for tonality and dynamic range; Samsung NX300M if you prefer higher resolution and more flexible framing.

• Wildlife and Sports Photographers: Samsung NX300M, hands down, for autofocus, burst shooting, and high ISO handling.

• Street Photographers: Leica M8 if you cherish a tactile, deliberate approach and classic design. Samsung NX300M for a lighter, more spontaneous shooting style.

• Macro and Night Shooters: Samsung NX300M offers better autofocus and high ISO capabilities; Leica M8 requires more skill but delivers unique color output.

• Video Shooters: Samsung NX300M is the only choice here.

• Travel Photographers: Lean towards Samsung NX300M for portability, convenience, and versatility.

• Professional Use: Neither fully fits modern professional demands without supplementing gear, but Leica M8 offers boutique appeal; NX300M better for casual professional use or backups.

Final Thoughts: Progress vs Tradition in Mirrorless Cameras

Comparing the Leica M8 and Samsung NX300M is like juxtaposing a timeless manual-focus masterpiece against a modern, democratized digital tool. They serve fundamentally different photographic desires.

The M8 invites photographers to slow down, appreciate craftsmanship, and make every exposure intentional. The NX300M welcomes quick shooting, autofocus confidence, and a more digital-native experience.

Both cameras have aged gracefully within their niches. For collectors, Leica remains a trophy of photographic heritage. For enthusiasts seeking a practical, affordable mirrorless in 2013 style, Samsung’s NX300M is a valuable system.

If you find yourself torn, ask: Do you want a camera that teaches patience and focus mastery - or one that lets you shoot fast, with reasonable automation and creative flexibility? Your answer points directly to either Leica M8 or Samsung NX300M.

Sample Images: Seeing is Believing

Now, let’s look at some images produced by both cameras to get a real sense of their output character.

Leica M8 front Leica M8 screen back Samsung NX300M screen back

From these, you can appreciate the Leica’s subtle tonal gradations and filmic qualities versus the Samsung’s sharpness and vivid color saturation. Both have their place in photography storytelling.

And there you have it - a thorough comparison from a seasoned photographer's perspective, balancing technical specs, hands-on usage, and the all-important feel factor. Hopefully, this helps you navigate the interesting crossroads between a classic and a contemporary rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Happy shooting!