Leica M8

Connectivity
Software
The M8 will ship with a version of Capture 1 RAW converter with a profile for the camera.

Jacks, Ports, Plugs
The Leica M8 has a USB 2.0 port, a hot shoe, and a socket for a standard mechanical cable release.

Direct Print Options
The M8 does not offer direct print.

Battery
A Li-ion cell powers the M8. The cell is rated for 1900mAh. We find that Li-ion cells offer a good power-to-size ratio, and are relatively light. The M8's cell has its contacts in slots, and the camera apparently has contact blades to fit into those slots. The setup should provide reliable conductivity.

Memory
The M8 uses SD cards. SD is a very common format for memory cards. We'd guess that more of them are sold than any other type. Most pro cameras use Compact Flash cards, which are physically larger. The M8 can handle cards up to 4 GB, though Leica warns that not all SD cards are fully compatible with the camera. The company recommends checking its website for a list of approved cards.

Other Features
Kodak Sensor – Leica has a big deal of the sensor Kodak supplies for the M8. Based on the little we could see on the LCD screen – we wish we had some files to open up and print – the enthusiasm is justified. Color and sharpness look great, and noise seemed well under control at ISO 640. One big challenge was handling the short distance between the lens and the focal plane – it means that the light striking the corners of the sensor comes in at a significant angle. Most sensors don't handle that well, but this Kodak model is designed for it. Sensors have microlenses over each receptor site, to concentrate the light on the sensitve spot on the chip. The microlenses near the edges of the Kodak chip are designed for the angle of the incoming light.

No moire filter – Leica chose not to include a moire filter in the M8, essentially to maximize sharpness and conserve space. Moire can be edited in post-processing, but most manufacturers judge that users would rather take a hit on resolution to avoid having Uncle John's Seersucker suit look psychedelic. Perhaps this is a feature, perhaps it's a pain. We're curious, and look forward to testing it.

All-purpose battery charger – The battery charger works in the US, UK, Europe, and plugs into cars as well. Great for camping!