Some latest leaked images confirm the upcoming rangefinder Leica M11 camera. The M-series cameras from Leica have a powerful range and the new M11 model will dispense with the camera’s removable baseplate and is considered one of the unique features. This baseplate design stretches all the way back to the Leica M3 (the first M-series camera in 1954). You would slot it into the base of the M3 base underneath the removable plate, instead of loading your film into the back of the camera. However, the Leica M-series went digital with the Leica M8 in 2006, which you had to remove to get access to the battery or memory card. Some rumors suggest that the focus button which enables focus magnification, will be moved to the top of the camera, but the biggest change is likely to be the M11’s sensor.
The Leica Rumors also indicated that it will have a new 60MP full-frame sensor. You will be able to reduce to 50MP, 36MP, or 15MP when shooting raw to keep file sizes manageable. It would be a big improvement from the 40MP resolution offered by the Leica M10-R. It was arrived in July 2020 and is expected to be one of the few surviving members of the Leica M10 series, alongside the Leica M10 Monochrome. Leica has long had to walk a tightrope with its M10 series between modernization and preserving its heritage in the digital age. Moreover, Leica M11 does indeed remove the baseplate design and makes a lot of sense from a practical point of view. You have to remove the entire bottom plate to access the battery and SD card slot even on the recent Leica M10-R.
One of the key benefits of this plate brings sealing for weather resistance, but the Leica M11 should still offer this with its new design. The rumors suggested the Leica M11 will be another subtle step forward for the throwback series. It’ll still be a full-frame rangefinder camera with interchangeable lenses and a stripped-back shooting experience that revolves around simple dials for adjusting shutter speed, ISO, and via its manual-focus lenses aperture. Some leaks also confirmed that Leica is expected to resist calls for it to include in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The camera is also expected to add USB-C support and a new optional Visoflex electronic viewfinder with OLED tech. The expected price tag with the addition of a 60MP sensor could be similar to the Leica M10, which arrived for $6,495 / £5,599 / AU$9,699 in 2017.
