Top of camera controls

The top panel features two control sets; first is the main switch which allows you to power the camera on and select either single shot, continuous (2 fps) or self-timer modes. This surrounds the three-position shutter release button (1. prime exposure, 2. exposure lock, 3. shutter release). To the left of this is the shutter speed dial, the A position engages automatic shutter speed selection (aperture priority), otherwise turn the dial to select any shutter speed from 8 seconds and 1/4000 second in 1/2 EV steps (there is a step between those printed on the dial), in addition there is also a Bulb position which allows for longer exposures.

Rear of camera controls

On the rear a simple enough layout, the LCD monitor with five buttons down the left (note the new ISO button) and the menu button, d-pad and dial on the right. We were again a little stumped by the circular moulding in the center of the d-pad, which looks like it should be an OK/SET button but is in fact just a design feature. We did mention this to Leica and for the M10 we'd suggest the SET button go in the middle of the d-pad (like on every other camera in the universe and, indeed, the X1).

Shooting mode controls

PLAY Play mode

Switches to play mode and displays the last image taken or viewed, as the M9 is a shooting priority camera a soft touch on the shutter release will cancel play mode and return you to shooting mode.
SET Picture parameters menu

Displays the picture parameters menu which allows fast access to the six most common camera settings; White balance, Compression, Resolution, Exposure compensation, Exposure bracketing and User Profile. Soft touch the shutter release to cancel this menu.
MENU Main menu

This is the main camera menu which is displayed as one long page. Press again to remove the menu (or soft touch the shutter release).

Exposure compensation

If optionally enabled you can now use the command dial to set exposure compensation, either on its own or in combination with a soft-press of the shutter release. The selected compensation is displayed on the viewfinder LCD bar.

Play mode controls

DELETE Delete single / all

Displays the 'Delete: Single / All' dialog which allows you to delete the currently displayed / selected image or all images on the SD card (except those which have been protected).
INFO Information level

Pressing this button switches between normal 'full review' to the detailed INFO display which includes a histogram and exposure information (see following page for example).
SET Protect / Un-protect

Pressing SET displays a dialog with four options 'Protect: Single / All' and 'Unprotect: Single / All' which are fairly self-explanatory. Protecting an image simply sets its read-only flag on the SD card file system, it won't protect it from a format.

Magnify / thumbnail index / page

The command dial enables you to magnify the image (turn clockwise) or enter a thumbnail index view (turn counter-clockwise). You can magnify all the way up to 1:1 (one image pixel to one display pixel), in thumbnail index you can select either 2x2, 3x3 or a 3x3 page-by-page view.
Browse

Use the left and right arrows to browse through images, note that this also works in magnify mode enabling you to check the same area of several images. In magnify mode the direction buttons are used to scroll around the image.

Menu controls

SET Change setting / confirm

With a menu setting selected press SET to display options, with the required option selected press again to confirm and store the setting change.

Navigate (command dial)

The command dial can be used to navigate menus, clockwise to move down options, counter-clockwise to move up options.

Navigate (direction buttons)

The up and down arrows can also be used to navigate menus and select options, the left and right arrows have no function.