18 or 36MP ooc or via post processing? What do you prefer and why?

[Robert Blanko]

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Some say it does not really make a difference in terms of image quality whether you let the M11 provide the reduced size 18 or 36 MP DNGs or whether you reduce the size in post processing, even for higher ISO.

What is your impression and what do you prefer? Why?

Do you plan to ever use the option of providing the reduced size directly by the camera?

I don’t have an M11 yet, so any practical experience from your side will be highly appreciated.

[Robert Blanko]

According to this review here, the pixel binning involves hardware pixel binning, so that one *could* expect an advantage in terms of noise and dynamic range.

True? Or myth?

https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2022/01/leica-m11-review-the-ultimate-digital-m/

David Farkas states:

„For the first time ever on a Leica digital camera, the M11 offers variable resolution with hardware-based pixel binning and smart remapping of the Bayer filter array. At the full 60 megapixels L-DNG setting, the camera churns out 14-bit files with 15-stops of dynamic range at base ISO, previously the exclusive territory of the medium format Leica S (Typ 007) and S3.  Drop to 36 megapixels in M-DNG to get a small dynamic range boost and slightly cleaner files before noise reduction is applied, along with improved burst depth. Go down again to S-DNG at 18 megapixels if you don’t need high resolution but do want unlimited burst shooting.“

Did anybody see any difference so far?

[SrMi]

Sony already claimed 15-stop DR. It all depends on how you measure. To compare cameras, you must use the same method, e.g., as used in PhotonsToPhotos. We will see the numbers once a volunteer contacts Bill Claff :).
I am baffled by the pixel-binning claim. The ratios between resolutions cannot be accomplished with a standard pixel binning approach (2x2, 4x4).
Leica said that the chosen resolutions are determined by the "math" (source: Sean Reid), i.e., 24MP is not possible.