In a world obsessed with the latest camera specs and firmware updates, I made a quietly rebellious move: I sold my 14-year-old Leica M-E Typ 220 only to replace it with another 14-year-old camera, the Leica M240. On paper, it seemed like a lateral move. In reality, it felt like I had finally found my perfect digital M.
My beloved M-E, with its 18-megapixel CCD sensor, produced images with a legendary, almost filmic character. Its colors had a Kodachrome-like warmth, and every frame felt intentional. However, I began to crave a bit more flexibility without sacrificing soul. The Leica M240 answered that call.
The M240's 24-megapixel CMOS sensor strikes the perfect balance. It offers enough resolution for cropping and large prints without feeling clinical. The files are robust and have depth. Crucially, it provides better high-ISO performance than the CCD sensor when light fades.
The game-changer, however, was a feature I once dismissed: Live View. Paired with an electronic viewfinder, it allows me to use vintage lenses, like a 1960s Nikon 50mm, with critical focusing precision. I now have the best of both worlds: the purity of the optical rangefinder and the accuracy of magnified focusing when needed.
The M240 feels flawlessly solid in the hand, its shutter has a muted Leica thud, and its battery life is exceptional. In 2026, declaring a 14-year-old digital camera "perfect" might seem ironic. But perfection isn't about being the newest; it's about being enough. The Leica M240 gives me exactly what I need: character, flexibility, and a profound connection to the craft of photography.