Leica announces M11 digital rangefinder

Leica M11

Leica Camera debuted a Leica M rangefinder, the Leica M11 digital camera. The $8,995 Leica M11 has a full-frame BSI CMOS sensor with Triple Resolution Technology. The camera can record raw image files in DNG format and JPEGs can be recorded at 60, 36, or 18 megapixels, always using the full sensor area. Thanks to a new color filter array, the camera also offers an improved, more natural color reproduction, the company said.

While maintaining the iconic look of a traditional Leica M, the controls have been arranged in a unique layout around the new, 2.3 million pixels, high-resolution touchscreen. The menu structure of the M11 remains consistent with that of the Leica SL2 and Q2. The Leica M11 has a sensitivity range of ISO 64 to 50,000; it records a 14-bit color depth and has a dynamic range of up to 15 stops. With its Maestro III processor, the Leica M11 offers a fluid and responsive operation, even at the highest resolution and image quality. With the optional electronic shutter featuring a shutter speed of up to 1/16000 of a second, photographers are empowered to work with wide-open apertures, in bright light – without ND filters.

The black-finish variant of the Leica M11 features a top plate made of high-quality aluminum with an especially scratch-resistant coating, 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.

Leica M11 foregoes the traditional Leica M baseplate

Unique to the M11 is the deliberate omission of the traditional base plate, offering photographers easy direct access to the battery and SD card. In addition to the SD card slot, the Leica M11 is equipped with a generous internal storage capacity of 64 gigabytes. As a result, the M11 is the first M model to save image files simultaneously onto two different storage media. In addition, the newly added universal USB-C port also serves to charge the camera’s battery, using most USB-C chargers.

Upgraded connectivity features of the Leica M11 will be available through a new firmware version in the second half of 2022. This will enable the new M11’s advanced connectivity capabilities that will elevate users’ mobile workflows and enhance the Leica FOTOS app with the possibility to embed location data, access images via Bluetooth connection, and allow increased transfer rates.

Visoflex 2 electronic viewfinder

The new Visoflex 2 electronic viewfinder features 3.7-megapixel resolution to provide outstanding image control in Live View mode. Encased in a metal exterior, the Visoflex 2 perfectly matches the M11 in terms of design and functionality. Full-frame viewing and the precise focusing of Leica lenses is supported by the Visoflex 2’s large diopter adjustment range of -4 to +3 and 90 degree tilt function. To improve ergonomics without obstructing access to the battery and SD card, photographers will have the option to complement their M11 with a newly designed handgrip, which doubles as a tripod mount.

“We are very proud of the new M11,” says Stefan Daniel, Executive Vice President Technology and Operations. “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.”

“As we all know,” says Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Leica Camera AG, Wetzlar, “the iconic Leica M-System has accompanied dedicated photographers worldwide over decades, giving them a superior tool for witnessing their time and creating outstanding pictures. The new M11 will continue this legacy with outstanding technology, based on the experience since 1925.”

Key Features

  • 60MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Sensor
  • Triple Resolution Technology
  • Optical 0.73x-Magnification Viewfinder
  • 2.95″ 2.3m-Dot Touchscreen LCD
  • Internal 64GB Memory and SD UHS-II Slot
  • ISO 64-50000, Up to 4.5-fps Shooting
  • Wi-Fi & USB Type-C, Dedicated FOTOS App
  • Lightweight Aluminum Top Plate
  • Electronic Shutter, Multi-Field Metering
  • Live View Stabilization