As someone who exclusively shoots with Leica cameras for all my personal work, I can tell you that the Leica name often comes with a hefty price tag—especially when buying new. Having spent years behind a Leica, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the brand, its cameras, and what makes them so special. But I also know that there are some fantastic Leica alternatives out there that offer a similar experience to owning something like the Leica M11 or M11 Monochrom, but at a much more accessible price point.
After testing a wide range of options, I’ve handpicked five cameras that not only resemble the classic rangefinder-style but also offer advanced features that might be even more beneficial for street photography or documentary work.
While none of these cameras are exactly cheap, they’re all more affordable than their Leica counterparts, giving you a lot of value for the price. Whether you’re looking for a Leica-like experience or something that outperforms in specific areas, this list covers different budgets and needs.
best Leica alternatives: our top picks
The Fujifilm X100V has bags of style, but it's backed up by serious tech. Fifth in a line of prime-lens compact cameras, the X100V omits zoom range in favor of a catch-it-all focal length and supreme image quality.
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The Nikon Z fc takes the look of a traditional SLR film camera to a whole new level of retro design, and although it's not a rangefinder-style camera, neither was the original Leica M1 camera.
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The Fujifilm X-Pro 3 handles like a very traditional camera, and it's designed to be used like a classic rangefinder camera.
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If you're looking for a compact camera that packs a punch with image quality, but can also fit in your coat pocket - look no further.
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If you want something like the Leica SL, but don't want to pay the hefty price tag, the Lumix S5 is the perfect full frame hybrid that can take 24MP stills and 4K video.
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The best Leica alternatives in 2025
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Best fixed lens
✅ You love the 35mm focal length: With its fixed 35mm f/2 equivalent lens this is the perfect companion for anyone with that classic look
✅ You love style: while you find modern tech inside, this retro-inspired exterior offers it up as a design icon
❌You want to change lenses: with its fixed lens you will have to zoom with your feet
❌You're on a budget: This camera is in very high demand so you will be paying a premium new, or second hand to own one
The Fujifilm X100V is a camera that blends incredible style with some serious tech under the hood. As the fifth iteration in the X100 series, it ditches the zoom in favor of a versatile prime lens that delivers stunning image quality. In our review, we found it to be a sheer joy to shoot with.
Designed with street photographers in mind, the X100V features intuitive dial-based controls and a hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder that stands out as one of the best on any mirrorless camera. Sure, it comes at a price, but if you're looking for a compact camera that combines style with functionality, the investment is absolutely justified.
Read our full Fujifilm X100V review for more details
Best Retro-style
✅ You want a great "all-rounder": 20MP stills, 11fps, and great video this is a perfect Leica alternative - with a few extra features
✅ You want something small: Weighing just 395g this compact package is ideal for those that want something small, but powerful
❌ You want great battery life: Its features do drain the power quite a bit so you might want a spare battery in your pocket while on the street
❌ Not full frame: You won't get that full DoF effect due to its APS-C sensor, Thurs all lenses will have a crop factor too
The Nikon Z fc takes the look of a traditional SLR film camera to a whole new level of retro design, and although it's not a rangefinder-style camera, neither was the original Leica M1 camera.
If you're tempted by Nikon’s full-frame Z system, but want something that's cheaper and more retro-looking, this camera is a perfect choice. The Nikon Z fc is a similar prospect to the Nikon Z50; it's an APS-C camera that's also stuffed with features. So, while you don’t get full-frame, you do get a whole lot else, inducing a generous AF system, wide dynamic range, solid high-ISO performance, and more.
Nikon tried a retro throwback a few years ago with the Df DSLR and missed the mark, but we were pleased to discover that the firm knocked it out of the park with the Z fc. The best Nikon Z lenses is still relatively new, but there are a lot out there already. This makes the Nikon Z fc a smart investment with an eye on the future.
Read our full Nikon Z fc review for more details
Best rangefinder-style
✅ You want the closest Leica experience possible: With its rangefinder-style optical viewfinder and an EVF this gives you the best of both worlds
✅ You want an "analog-like" experience: with the ability to hide the rear LCD you get a feeling that you would be shooting a film camera - but with the convenience of digital files!
❌ You're a budget: with its popularity skyrocketing, it is hard to get one for a good price
❌ Learning curve: the XPro3 does require a bit more photography know-how to work it, but once you know how you can take amazing images!
The Fujifilm X-Pro 3 handles like a very traditional camera, and it's designed to be used like a classic rangefinder camera. With a “hidden” fold-down LCD to discourage you from checking your photos and to keep you in the moment, it gives you a choice between a modern EVF and an optical-style rangefinder.
Although it can be a steep learning curve learning to use and shoot on the X-Pro3, if you're looking for a Leica alternative this comes very close.
Read our full Fujifilm X-Pro3 review for more details
Best compact
✅ You want a small camera: the smallest on this list, the Canon M6 II is a great camera to wear every day and never get tired of it
✅ You want great autofocus: It has super fast AF and its compact size makes this a very quick run-and-gub setup for any situation
❌ You want a bigger sensor: with its APS-C sensor you won't get that full-frame look that many other cameras achieve on this list
❌ You want a better EVF: its additional EVF mounted via the hotshoe does resemble Leica cameras of old, but it makes this small camera rather clunky
While this might seem an odd choice to some, the Canon EOS M6 II does offer a compact size with the addition of a Hotshoe EVF in the old style of a Leica viewfinder giving you that compact 'go-anywere' feel.
Pairing a seriously impressive APS-C sensor with super-fast burst shooting and a beast of an autofocus system, this pocketable camera is more than just suited for street or reportage shooting. It excels at it, given that it’s packing more megapixels than the majority of cameras on this list, it’s also a great choice if you’ve one eye on printing your images in a large format.
Read our full Canon EOS M6 Mark II review for more details
Best hybrid
✅ You want weather sealing: built to be a workhorse this is designed to take a beating in any weather conditions.
✅ You want great 4K video too: an amazing stills camera the S5 is great for video too making it perfect for the content creators
❌ You don't want a heavy camera: due to its size, it can get a bit heavy when carrying it around all day.
❌ You want fast fps: While 7fps isn't slow, to modern standards its light-years behind other rivals
Despite its compact size, the Panasonic S5 shares the impressive 24MP CMOS sensor housed in the Lumix S1, but with improved AF. It also has a tough weather-resistant body and delivers up to 6.5 stops of image stabilization with compatible lenses. Its standout features include class-leading dynamic range and 4K video recording, as well as 96MP high-resolution RAW+JPEG capture. We couldn't say enough good things about it in our review.
The Lumix S5 is smaller than the Lumix S1 and S1R before, and cheaper. It matches the Lumix S1 for stills and beats it for video, coming close to the capabilities of the far more expensive Lumix S1H. What a camera!
Read more: Panasonic Lumix S5 review for more details
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