Leica is a camera brand many photographers aspire to own so it’s big news that the brand has launched a very important camera in the shape of the new M11. Following on from the 24-megapixel M10, the M11 sees a huge jump in resolution and now offers photographers 60-megapixels from the BSI CMOS sensor with Triple Resolution Technology.
When it comes to resolution, the rangefinder-style camera can shoot RAW files at 60, 36 or 18 megapixels, while still using the full sensor area. What’s more, it’s worth pointing out the M11 features no AA (Anti Aliasing filter), which should result in sharper imagery, and offers a base ISO of 64.
The M11 offers dual memory options in the shape of an SD card and 64GB of internal memory space – hugely advantageous when you’ve either filled up or simply forgotten a memory card. The M11 also sports a special IR + UV cut filter – comprising of two extremely thin, cemented layers of glass, which Leica says ‘achieves an especially effective correction of even the most oblique rays of incident light.’ What’s more, thanks to a new colour filter array, Leica goes on to say the M11 also offers an improved, more natural colour reproduction.
Looking at the design of the M11, the controls of the camera are arranged around a new, 2.3 million pixels, high-resolution touchscreen LCD. Menu navigation will be familiar to photographers who have used cameras like the Leica SL2 and Q2 and that sensor is backed up by the Maestro III processor, unifying the acclaimed interface for a more user-friendly experience.
With a sensitivity range of ISO 64 to 50,000; the M11 records a 14-bit colour depth and has a dynamic range of up to 15 stops. There ‘s also a maximum shutter speed of 1/16000sec when the electronic shutter is employed and the M11 marks the first time multi-field metering has been available in rangefinder mode.
Dripping with that signature Leica retro-chic style, the black-finish variant of the Leica M11 features a top plate made of high-quality aluminium with an especially scratch-resistant coating – in fact Leica says this resulting in a body that is approximately 20% (100 grams) lighter than its silver-chrome counterpart. By comparison, the silver-chrome M11 features a classic brass top plate and weighs in at 640 grams.
Other features include a 1800mAh battery that stores 64% more energy than before, a newly added universal USB-C port that enables on-the-go charging and a high resolution Electronic Viewfinder. As you’d expect though, all this tech doesn’t come cheap and the Leica M11 will retail for $8,995.