Leica M EV1 rumored to debut with built-in EVF and no rangefinder: release window, specs, and pricing
The long-running mystery around Leica’s first M-series camera with an electronic viewfinder looks set to wrap up soon. Multiple leaks now point to a launch by October 23, with shipping expected in November. The biggest twist? Current chatter suggests this new model will skip both an optical viewfinder and the traditional rangefinder altogether, opting instead for a built-in EVF.
Late last month, a Chinese retailer reportedly took reservations for a “Leica M11-V” slated for the same release window. That listing described a compact take on the M11 featuring a Maestro III processor, a 60MP full-frame sensor, 64GB of internal storage, and an integrated 0.5-inch electronic viewfinder. Industry watchers believe this isn’t a separate M11 variant at all, but the camera now being referred to as the Leica M EV1.
If accurate, the EV1 is expected to look and handle more like a Q-series body fitted with an M-mount rather than a classic M with a rangefinder. That design choice aligns with the move to an EVF-only experience and helps explain the rumored pricing strategy.
Here’s what the latest reports suggest:
– Name: Leica M EV1 (previously seen as “M11-V” in retailer listings)
– Viewfinder: Built-in electronic viewfinder, no optical finder or rangefinder
– Sensor and processing: 60MP full-frame sensor, Maestro III processor
– Storage: 64GB internal memory
– Design direction: Closer to a Q-style body with M-mount
– Launch target: Around October 23
– Shipping window: November
Pricing is expected to land between the Q and the current M flagships. The EV1 is rumored at about €7,950 in the UK (including VAT), roughly $9,300 before regional adjustments. In the US, final pricing could edge past $10,000 depending on tariffs. For context, recent street prices put the Q3 around the mid-$6,000 range, while the M11 typically hovers just under $10,000.
There’s more brewing in Leica’s lineup as well. An announcement for the Leica Q3 Monochrom is rumored for around October 16—just days before the EVF-equipped M is expected to break cover—setting up a busy month for fans of the brand.
If these details hold, the Leica M EV1 could mark a pivotal moment for the M system: the heritage of M-mount lenses paired with a modern, EVF-first shooting experience. Stay tuned as the official reveal approaches.
