The functions of the Leica M are consistently constructed for extreme durability and a long working life.

ENGADGET: Leica M9-P looks like it costs a fortune, doesn't disappoint

With a Leica M, the photographer becomes a 'part of the action' when capturing challenging, authentic and creative images.

ENGADGET: Leica M9-P looks like it costs a fortune, doesn't disappoint

Yesterday, Canon stole the show, but today's darling of Photokina appears to be the just-announced Leica M camera.

ENGADGET: New Leica M camera has live-view and 1080p video capture, we go hands-on (video)

Oh, and there's one more thing: did we mention that the M8 works with "virtually all" Leica M series lenses produced since 1954?

ENGADGET: Leica M8 combines old-world charm with new-world tech

Packing an all-new black and white-only Mysterium-X sensor, the new cinema cam follows in the footsteps of the Leica M Monochrom still shooter, right down to a similar moniker.

ENGADGET: Red introduces $42K Epic-M Monochrome cinema cam, on sale October 1st

Since 1954, the Leica M-System has represented an unmistakable, individual kind of photography and a very conscious photographic style and allowed photographers to capture, document and interpret life's fleeting moments in all fields of photography, from photojournalism, reportage and 'available light' to the capture of portraits and aesthetic, fine-art images.

ENGADGET: Leica M9-P looks like it costs a fortune, doesn't disappoint

The cameras were revealed along with a slew of new products that Leica's showing during Germany's Photokina convention, including a range of new accessories (the Leica R-Adapter M, the Leica EVF2 electronic viewfinder, the multifunctional handgrip-M with optional finger loops, and the Leica Microphone adapter set).

ENGADGET: Leica launching new Leica M in early 2013, stripped-down M-E available this month

We can't comment on image quality just yet, but there's no question that the "new M" marks Leica's commitment to finally bring otherwise commonplace features to its popular (and pricey) rangefinder line.

ENGADGET: New Leica M camera has live-view and 1080p video capture, we go hands-on (video)

Show attendees flocked to the "new M" demo counter this morning, nudging through the crowd for a chance to check out Leica's first live-view equipped M.

ENGADGET: New Leica M camera has live-view and 1080p video capture, we go hands-on (video)