Improved based on feedback from a myriad of M-Photographers, the Leica M11 effortlessly blends the classic aesthetic of previous M models with the connected modern digital world. Driven by a newly developed sensor and latest-gen processor, the M11 offers free choice of resolution, as well as other customer-centered innovations that deliver maximum flexibility and remarkable image quality, all while staying true to the timeless build and design for which Leica is known.
Leica released another groundbreaking camera just before the end of 2021: enter the Leica Q2 Reporter. The German manufacturer is known for crafting cameras that are specifically geared towards the tough shooting environments of reportage and press photography, and the ultra-robust, highly precise, and extremely reliable Q2 Reporter continues this tradition. Read our full breakdown of this one-of-a-kind camera on Orms Connect.
The Leica M11 body comes in two variants: a black-finish and a silver-chrome version. With the black-finish model, the top plate is made of high-quality aluminum with a particularly scratch-resistant coating. This construction means the black-finish version is 20% (100g) lighter than the other option. The silver-chrome body features a classic brass top plate, weighing in at 640g.
The controls on the Leica M11 have been arranged in a unique layout around its all-new 2.3 million pixels high-resolution touchscreen. It features a menu structure consistent with that of the SL2 and Q2, allowing Leica users to easily switch between models. It also has a new IR and UV cut filter comprised of two extremely thin, cemented layers of glass, achieving a highly effective correction of even the most oblique rays of incident light. Finally, a new colour filter array delivers improved and more natural colour reproduction.
It is worth noting that Leica deliberately omitted the traditional base plate from the M11; this is intended to offer photographers easy direct access to the battery, SD card, and all-new USB-C port. On the battery, the 1800mAh battery utilised by the M11 stores 64% more energy than before. Combining this advancement with the M11’s more efficient operation, a single battery change now allows for around 700 exposures when the Live View is in use. If only the rangefinder is used for composing shots, the maximum number of exposures rises to around 1700 on a single battery charge.
The Leica M11’s image-making potential is powered by a full-frame BSI CMOS sensor that features Triple Resolution Technology. This sensor was developed exclusively for the M11 and is not found in any other Leica camera. Both JPEGs and raw images in the DNG format can be recorded at 60, 36, or 18 megapixels using the full sensor area. Unprecedented image quality and detail resolution are possible with the highest megapixel option when paired with Leica’s latest APO M-System lenses. With the lower resolutions, faster camera performance is enabled, along with extended burst lengths and smaller files.
Paired with the M11’s new Triple Resolution sensor is the latest generation Maestro-III image processor. This powerful combination produces images with very low digital noise levels and lifelike detail. Photographers will also enjoy snappier performance thanks to the 3 GB buffer memory and 4.5 frames per second burst at full resolution. Finally, the exceptional speed of the Maestro-III processor allows it to write all exposures as both high-quality JPEGs and RAW DNG files simultaneously.
The M11’s ISO sensitivity ranges from ISO 64 to 50 000, recording 14-bit colour at a dynamic range of 15 stops. It is also the first M model that can save image files simultaneously onto different storage media, thanks to the M11 being equipped with a generous internal storage capacity of 64 gigabytes.
As a “Made of iPhone and iPad” certified Apple accessory, the M11 offers unique abilities with the included Leica FOTOS cable. A new firmware version will be available in the latter half of 2022, elevating photographers’ mobile workflows and enhancing the Leica FOTOS app experience with embedded location data, access to images via Bluetooth connection, and increased transfer rates.
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