Leica introduces a new low-cost M series camera, but don’t expect bargain pricing

Leica is one of those iconic brands that serves as a symbol nearly as much as it executes its function. The German optics and camera manufacturer has been cranking out stunning designs for nearly 170 years. From a sexy set of binoculars to limited edition cameras, Leica continues to impress with old-school styling and top-of-the-line technology.

However, one wouldn’t call Leica an affordable brand by any stretch of the imagination. So when it announced its lowest-priced M Series camera, our ears perked up.

The new M Typ 262 has a very similar design to its old brother, the 240. Leica has changed up a couple of materials and features to lower the price. Gone is the video functionality and live-view shooting, as well as the high-end brass finish. The Typ 262 has instead opted for an aluminum enclosure.

It has a 24MP sensor and Leica uses the familiar rangefinder-style mirrorless body type here. ISO ranges from 100-6400, plus it has 1/4000 sec shutter speeds (which Leica says is considerably quieter”), and it can take 3fps of continuous photos. There is a built-in three-inch LCD display plus an optional GPS add-on for marking photos.

So how much is it going to cost you? It carries a $5,195 price tag, which is still rather costly for most consumers that are looking for an alternative to a smartphone.

If it were me, I’d be looking at Canon’s month-long Cyber Monday promotion, which has delivered all-time prices on multiple cameras throughout November. Amazon’s best-selling DSLR, the Canon T5, can currently be had in refurbished condition for $229.99 shipped (Orig. $549). Rated 4.7/5 stars by over 330 Amazon reviewers. Canon’s refurbished products go through a comprehensive quality assurance process and include a one-year warranty.

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Source: Leica