The Leica M10 Monochrom (2020) is a dedicated 40 MP black-and-white rangefinder — no Bayer filter, no colour. The shutter count is embedded in every DNG file and can be read free in your browser below.
Check Shutter Count →The Leica M10 Monochrom (type 3656, released October 2020) replaces the 24 MP colour sensor of the M10 with a 40.89 MP BSI CMOS monochrome sensor — the same 40 MP sensor used in the M10-R, but without the Bayer colour filter array. Without demosaicing overhead, every pixel captures full luminance data, resulting in higher effective resolution, richer tonality, and lower noise at equivalent ISOs compared to a colour sensor. The body is mechanically identical to the M10-R, using the same cloth focal-plane shutter. Estimated shutter life is approximately 150,000 actuations.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Est. Shutter Life | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leica M10 Monochrom | 2020 | 40.89 MP FF BSI CMOS (B&W) | ~150,000 | Dedicated monochrome, no Bayer filter |
| Leica M10-R (colour) | 2020 | 40.89 MP FF BSI CMOS | ~150,000 | 40 MP colour variant, same body |
| Leica M10 (base colour) | 2017 | 24 MP FF CMOS | ~150,000 | Standard M10 colour |
| Leica M11 Monochrom (successor) | 2023 | 60 MP FF BSI CMOS (B&W) | ~150,000 | 60 MP, USB-C charging |
exiftool -ImageCount yourfile.DNG. Leica embeds the count in the MakerNote ImageCount tag in all digital M DNG files.| Actuation Count | % of Est. Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 5,000 | 0 – 3 % | Near new — very low use |
| 5,000 – 30,000 | 3 – 20 % | Light use |
| 30,000 – 80,000 | 20 – 53 % | Moderate use |
| 80,000 – 120,000 | 53 – 80 % | High use — negotiate price |
| 120,000 + | 80 %+ | Factor in shutter service (€500–1,000+) |
Note: Monochrom shooters typically take fewer frames per session than colour photographers — the deliberate, film-like B&W approach tends to result in lower actuation counts for equivalent years of active use. Low counts on a used M10 Monochrom are therefore common and not necessarily suspicious.
The M10 Monochrom sensor captures pure luminance data at every pixel without the ~30% light loss and interpolation artefacts of a Bayer colour filter. At ISO 3200, a Monochrom image is cleaner than a desaturated colour M10 image at ISO 800. Dynamic range, micro-contrast, and tonal gradation are all superior for B&W output. The trade-off is that the sensor captures only black and white — there is no colour recovery.
No. The 40 MP BSI CMOS sensor in the M10 Monochrom (and M10-R) is a drop-in replacement in the same body as the 24 MP M10. The cloth focal-plane shutter mechanism is identical. The higher resolution does not increase shutter wear or vibration.
The M11 Monochrom (2023) offers 60 MP (vs 40 MP), USB-C charging, a larger battery (triple the M10 Monochrom capacity), and a tri-resolution sensor (60/36/18 MP switching). The M10 Monochrom remains a competitive choice for those preferring a slimmer body or buying on the used market at a lower price point. Both produce exceptional B&W image quality.
Check shutter count via DNG file (primary method). Inspect the rangefinder patch for cloudiness, brightline frame accuracy, and base length condition. Examine the sensor for dust or scratches (shoot a grey background at minimum focus). Confirm the rear LCD has no cracks (LCD replacement on M-series is expensive). Check USB-Micro port condition and battery health via shot-per-charge testing.