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It appears as if it's the end of an era in Leica land. The M11-V is expected to be announced soon, but it has a feature that no other Leica M series cameras have had – no optical viewfinder, and it uses an EVF. This makes it the first M-mount camera with an EVF. This camera would supplant the M11 that was announced on January 13, 2022.
So is it still a rangefinder, or is it now a quasi rangefinder or a pseudo rangefinder? As I suggested to Craig when we were discussing, it's a Leica; they'll call it whatever they want to because it has that red dot.
It appears as if it's using the same or similar sensor, at least the resolution has not changed from its M11 predecessor's 60MP, but it's unknown if there's more to play here because the rumor mentions 60/36/18 MP resolutions, which sounds exactly like the M11's triple resolution technology.
Looking back at the M11, it had the following 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-C, Dedicated FOTOS App
- Classic Glossy Black Brass Top Plate
- Electronic Shutter, Multi-Field Metering
- Live View Stabilization
Body-wise, there's a new Fn button, but other than that, it seems to be essentially an M11 without the rangefinder standard viewfinder that Leica fans have been used to. The rumored specifications don't have much in the way of details. We hope to get more soon. Here's some overview specifications curiosity of mirrorlessrumors;
- New built-in EVF
- 0.5″ / 5.76 MP
- 0.76× magnification
- Focus aids
- Diopter compensation
- New FN-Button
- Frame selection lever with dual FN functionality for viewfinder
- Puristic design
- Clean front without rangefinder window
- Diamond-pattern leatherette
- Leica Content Credentials — ensure authenticity of digital images
- 60/36/18 Megapixel full-frame BSI image sensor with triple-resolution technology
- Maestro III image processor
- 64 GB internal memory
- Made in Germany
- Made for iPhone & iPad
- Adobe Camera Matching Profiles
If nothing else tells me that this was from Leica, it's the “Puristic Design” only Apple or Leica would use that term.
The price? Well, with anything Leica, if you have to ask, you can't afford it – but since the M11 came out in 2022 at 8,995, and with tariffs and everything else happening, the price in the US is now 9,840.00. It's anyone's guess what the new one will be, but I suspect it will not be under $9,995.
These days are over, pricing is, in my opinion, no longer justifiable. Reliability use to be a main strength of the Ms, nowadays, broken or stuck ISO selector wheels occur quite often, if you don't handle the M like a raw egg. Not to mention freezing...Lenses: I've had to send in for repair or back to the seller at least 5 newer ones (28mm Asph, Summicron 50mm, Elmarit 35 etc...). The reason was always a loose front lens-tube.
If it weren't for the extreme optical quality of the lenses, I would have left the brand long time ago.
Don't misunderstand me, I still like the M. But I deeply regret it has gone a long way from the M3's quality standards, and I'm no longer ready to accept collector's prices for what it should be, a tool. Nothing else!
A purely digital M, with exclusively manual digital focusing? Not for me, but the collectors will enjoy buying a new toy for their showcase.
The Leica SL system is even a different chapter, selling Panasonic or Sigma lenses as Leicas at sometimes the quadruple price is just insane.
I have up for the most part because of my eyes. I couldn't use one with glasses.
I kept the M9 (my favourite sensor) and a Canadian special edition M4. I don't use either very often. The m4 gets used more. Film looks better out of focus. 😛
This EVF thing was necessary to keep the M line going. They need younger albeit wealthy customers. Though, China is probably their go-to market now.
It'll probably also benefit people with aging eyes, just not me. It's losing its one of a kind experience.
Yet, you are absolutely right! The new, young and rich M customers will certainly prefer "modern" over "traditional".
But, honestly, I am totally in love with some newer Canon lenses (zooms!), and also bodies. If I entered the Leica sytem nowadays, then certainly wit a Q3.
It is digital, with EVF, but incorporates the Leica "spirit" much better than the fragile luxury M bodies.
Sorry, but I've had too many repairs (VF disadjusted, shutter bounce, winders and motordrives kaputt, loose lenses). I'd presently be bankrupt if I hadn't fixed most issues myself...
And yet, I love the M! 🙂
That's why, when you shoot at 75mm for instance, you won't get the 60MP, but the corresponding cropped MP count.
Some Canon cameras also have mRAW and sRAW, for instance, although I’m not sure whether Leica’s option is essentially the same or not.
It uses pixel-binning and it's RAW (DNG). It's quite a cool feature. I never have the Q3 at 60mp.
Yes, they can produce different raw file resulution thanks to Triple Resolution (in-camera pixel binning) technology. Very handy if you don't need full resolution all the time.