German camera manufacturer Leica has kicked off the new year in style, with the release of the Leica M11. The newest addition to the M-Series, the Leica M11 works to combine the visceral appeal of classic rangefinder photography with contemporary camera technology, providing photographers with flexibility in shooting.
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“We are very proud of the new M11,” said Stefan Daniel, executive VP of technology and operations at Leica. “This camera is another milestone for Leica. Its inner workings are a completely new development, while the exterior remains true to the iconic Leica M design.”
The new Leica M11 is powered by a full-frame BSI CMOS sensor with Triple Resolution Technology that boasts the ability to shoot stills at 18MP, 36MP, or 60MP in both DNG and JPEG formats. The 60MP option provides image quality thus far unseen in previous Leica models, harnessing the potential of the German camera manufacturer’s new APO lenses for the M-System. Meanwhile, the two lower resolutions allow for faster camera performance, longer burst lengths, and smaller file sizes. The M11 also features a new colour filter array that delivers more natural-looking photographs, a sensitivity range of ISO 64 to 50000, 14-bit colour depth, a dynamic range of up to 15 stops, and an optional electronic shutter featuring a shutter speed of up to 1/16000 of a second.
Although the Leica M11 retains the overall aesthetic of the classic Leica M, the design has been constructed with ergonomics and efficiency in mind. The controls have been arranged in a
new layout around the 2.3MP high-res touchscreen, while the menu structure remains consistent with that of the Leica SL2 and Q2, unifying the interface for a more user-friendly experience. The blacked-out Leica M11 features an aluminium top plate covered in scratch-resistant coating, resulting in a body that is 100g (20%) lighter than its silver-chrome counterpart.
Unlike its predecessors, the Leica M11 omits the traditional base plate, allowing photographers direct access to the battery and SD card. In addition to the SD card slot, the Leica M11 comes equipped with 64GB onboard storage and is the first M model to save image files simultaneously to two storage mediums. Another key drawcard is the 1800mAh battery that stores 64% more energy than before; combined with the M11 more efficient means of operation, this allows for longer shooting sessions on a single charge.
The Leica M11 is priced at $8995 USD and is available in black or silver via the Leica webstore.
Words by John Deckard
