Legendary Russian brand Zenit made a comeback last year with a full-frame digital mirrorless camera Zenit M. After a long wait, the camera is now available for orders in the US. And although Zenit has been famous for being budget-friendly, the Zenit M camera is priced like a Leica.
The initial rumors said Zenit M would be based on a Leica SL, but it’s actually a modified Leica M (Typ 240). The difference between the two is in the design and the software: the Zenit M doesn’t feature the 6-bit lens code reader and it packs Zenit software. This means that the only lens profiles in the camera are for Zenit lenses. You can use Leica M lenses, but the camera won’t make automatic corrections.
While we’re at lenses, the Zenit M is sold in the US together with a 35mm f/1.0 Zenitar lens. The kit costs the unbelievable $6,995 – and this is at a discount. The camera with the lens will cost $7,895 at the regular price. It’s worth noting that only 500 cameras will be sold worldwide, so this certainly affects the price tag. And also, this is essentially a Leica camera. So, I guess expecting an affordable Zenit camera would probably be irrational.
If you’re interested in getting a Zenit M, it’s available in the Zenit store and ready to ship. Currently, only the silver version is available, but the black version is coming soon, too.
Specs:
| Image sensor | |
| Resolution | 24MP |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 200 to ISO 6400, adjustable in 1/3 ISO increments, automatic control or manual setting |
| Basic settings | |
| White balance | Automatic, manual, 7 presets |
| Shutter | |
| Picture series | Approx. 3 pictures/s, ≤ 12 pictures in serie |
| Self-timer | 2s or 12s |
| Lens | |
| Lens mount | Zenitar M-mount |
| Lens in a set | ZENITAR 35 mm f/1.0 |
| Exposure | |
| Shutter speed | 60-1/4000s |
| Manual setting of exposure and aperture | Available |
| Flash exposure compensation | ±3 1/3 EV adjustable in EV 1/3 |
| Metering principle / method | Spot, center-weighted, multi-field metering |
| Memory and interface | |
| Memory card types | SD, SDHC, SDXC |
| Data formats | DNG™ (raw data), JPEG |
| Power supply | |
| Battery | 1 |
| Battery capacity | 1800 mAh |
| Video and sound recording | |
| Video/sound recording | Available |
| Video recording formats | Motion JPG / Quicktime |
| Maximum resolution for video | 1920 x 1080 |
| Size and weight | |
| Size (Width x Depth x Height) | Approx. 138.6 x 42 x 80 mm without lens |
| Weight | Approx. 680 gr with battery, without lens |
| Lens specs | |
| Focal length | 35 mm |
| Relative aperture (max / min) | 1:1.0 / 1:16 |
| Angular field | 61,7° |
| Transmittance | ≥0,86 |
| Working distance | 27.8 mm |
| Lenses / components | August 9, 2019 |
| Lens mount | Bayonet M-mount |
| Focusing range limits | from 0.8 m to ∞ |
| Length of the lens (set to ∞, without cap) | 88 mm |
| Maximum diameter of the ring | 74 mm |
| Weight without cap | 740 gr |
[via Leica Rumors]
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