The Leica M11 Monochrom is a high-resolution black-and-white digital rangefinder still camera with a revised sensor design, enhanced imaging capabilities, a nearly silent shutter, and updated connectivity. Key features include:
60MP Leica full-frame monochrome BSI CMOS sensor
Maestro III image processor; Triple Resolution Technology
0.73x-magnification optical viewfinder
Updated 3.0-inch 2.3m-dot rear touchscreen LCD
Modified 60MP CMOS Sensor and Maestro III Processor. The Leica M11 Monochrom’s back-illuminated full-frame 60MP CMOS sensor is based on the sensor found in the standard Leica M11, but it’s been modified to remove its color filter array. This means it can only record black-and-white images, but these images boast enhanced clarity, depth, and resolution. This sensor pairs with the Maestro III image processor to produce an impressive dynamic range that takes full advantage of the best of the Leica M-mount lenses. You get a greatly improved ISO 125-200,000 sensitivity range and reduced noise for stellar performance in a wide array of lighting conditions. The M11 Monochrom shoots up to 4.5 fps at 60.3MP in continuous mode, with a 3 GB built-in RAM buffer enabling up to 15 consecutive frames in a burst. It records images in 14-bit DNG files or 8-bit JPEGs.
Triple Resolution Technology. The M11 Monochrom inherits this unique pixel-binning process from the standard M11’s unique pixel-binning process, which lets you select 60MP, 36MP, or 18MP output, with each resolution using the full sensor area. Because Triple Resolution Technology uses pixel-binning instead of cropping, even lower resolutions have an impressive dynamic range and low noise levels. The 60MP setting gives you 14 stops of dynamic range and the highest resolution, the 36MP setting gives you 15 stops of dynamic range and the best noise-resolution balance, and the 18MP setting also gives you 15 stops of dynamic range with the lowest noise levels.
Enhanced Imaging Capabilities. The M11 Monochrom is still a manual photo-only camera, but it sees several quality-of-life improvements compared to previous M-series models. An electronic shutter function lets you shoot at speeds up to 1/16000 sec, letting you work with faster f/0.95 lenses without an ND filter. A mechanical shutter still gives you shutter-speed support up to 1/4000 sec and flash sync at 1/180 sec. Two digital zoom steps simulate working with longer focal-length lenses by slightly cropping the image at either 1.3x / 39MP or 1.8x / 18MP levels. If you’re recording a DNG, these crops are reversible. If you’re shooting straight to JPG, they’re not. Finally, a multi-field exposure-metering feature reduces the need to meter and recompose before shooting, while an optional long-exposure noise-reduction feature can help combat the appearance of noise in your shots.
Optical Viewfinder and Rangefinder. The large, bright-line rangefinder-coupled viewfinder provides 0.73x magnification with automatic parallax compensation and bright-line frame lines, which match the image sensor’s size at a 6.6-foot focusing distance. A viewfinder frame selector on the front of the camera lets you manually change the apparent image field to help you visualize your shot at different focal lengths. The rangefinder mechanism displays split or superimposed bright field images in the center of the viewfinder to help you achieve accurate manual focusing.
Touchscreen LCD. The rear 3.0-inch, 2.3m-dot rear touchscreen LCD gives you a large means by which to shoot in live view and review image playback, while also facilitating intuitive controls. Its updated design is brighter for improved visibility in sunlight and other bright conditions, and a revised menu layout taken directly from the Leica Q and SL systems makes for greater ease of use compared to previous M-series camera menus.
Power and Memory. The M11 Monochrom uses the BP-SCL7 battery, which is rated at 700 shots per charge (or roughly 1700 shots per charge if you only use the optical viewfinder). Unlike most of its M-series predecessors, the M11 Monochrom doesn’t have a removable baseplate. Instead, you insert the battery directly into the camera body’s base. There’s a single UHS-II SD-card slot inside the battery compartment, but you also get 256 GB of internal memory so that you can forgo a memory card entirely or use a combination of internal memory and a memory card for splitting file types or for overflow storage. Transferring files from internal memory to an SD card is simple, too.
Wireless and Wired Connectivity. You can use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth in conjunction with the Leica FOTOS app to share images directly to linked iOS or Android devices, to remotely adjust camera options and control the shutter, and use geotagging on your shots. You can also use the USB Type-C port and a separately available Leica FOTOS cable to connect this camera to an iPhone for file management and sharing via the FOTOS app.
