Hasselbald X2D vs Leica M11

[wolan]

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Hi,

do you know of any direct comparison between the X2D and the Leica M11? I could not find anything on the internet.

I managed to find an X2D vs Leica SL3, but I am not sure whether the SL3 and the M11 have the same sensor 

 

Thank you

Cheers.

Edited July 3, 2024 by wolan

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[elmars]

It is the same sensor in M11 and SL3.

[SrMi]

2 hours ago, elmars said:

It is the same sensor in M11 and SL3.

Sensor size, sensor size toppings, and PDAF differ. The pixel level technology is the likely same

[Jeff S]

A Google search brings up 4 or 5 comparison videos, but none are worth watching.

It also brings up this video, which offers conceptual comparisons between the two systems, rather than actual results..

There are of course many separate video reviews of each camera, varying in content and quality, if you’re looking at specific issues or concerns.

Jeff

[Smogg]

2 hours ago, wolan said:

Hi,

do you know of any direct comparison between the X2D and the Leica M11? I could not find anything on the internet.

I managed to find an X2D vs Leica SL3, but I am not sure whether the SL3 and the M11 have the same sensor 

 

Thank you

Cheers.

What do you want to know? If you are interested in practical application, then for sunny weather I always take M11 for shooting; if sunny weather is unlikely, then I take X2D (in sunny weather nothing is visible on the external screen even with a slight negative exposure compensation, and EVF, like all electronic viewfinders, are highly limited in dynamic range), if rain is absolutely expected, then Q3. In terms of image quality X2D>M11>Q3. The colors that X2D produces are incomparable. In terms of noise and dynamic range, the X2D also has a slight advantage. In terms of ease of use, for me the M11 leads by a wide margin, followed by the X2D, then the Q3.

[SrMi]

2 hours ago, wolan said:

Hi,

do you know of any direct comparison between the X2D and the Leica M11? I could not find anything on the internet.

I managed to find an X2D vs Leica SL3, but I am not sure whether the SL3 and the M11 have the same sensor 

 

Thank you

Cheers.

They are very different cameras. M11 is light, small and nimble. X2D has higher resolution and less noise if you can give it more light (larger sensors need more light). Thanks to IBIS, it is easy to provide more light to X2D for stationary scenes.

Both are a joy to use, but M11’s rangefinder is not everyone’s cup of tea. EVFs have issues in high contrast scenes. That is why I often use X2D in manual mode with exposure simulation turned off (get some benefits of OVFs).

As was answered, both cameras have similar/same sensor technology but have different sensors.

 

[wolan]

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Thank you for the answers so far.

To me is all about image quality, that is the reason I bought a Leica camera while still using Nikon gear. In the few side-to-side comparisons I have seen the X2D files really shine (here is a good example:  https://youtu.be/RIJXSm6XtkE).

Thanks.

 

 

 

Edited July 3, 2024 by wolan

[SrMi]

6 minutes ago, wolan said:

Thank you for the answers so far.

To me is all about image quality, that is the reason I bought a Leica camera while still using Nikon gear. In the few side-to-side comparisons I have seen the X2D files really shine (here is a good example:  https://youtu.be/RIJXSm6XtkE).

Thanks.

 

Image quality cannot be adequately assessed from a YouTube video, but X2D creates impressive output. SL3 and M11 are not far behind, though. I am constantly rotating between these three systems 🤣.

[JNK100]

These are completely different cameras aimed at a very different market.

If you want a Leica M you will know.

[Jeff S]

44 minutes ago, wolan said:

 

To me is all about image quality….

…. (here is a good example:  https://youtu.be/RIJXSm6XtkE).

 

 

 

 

Well, he knew because he actually tested for himself, which IMO is the only way for you to truly assess.

But if you insist on YT information, your fellow Swiss YT-er “Mathphotographer” has some X2D videos with images.  He also has separate M11 videos.

Jeff

 

[SudaliuS]

I am new bee here, but I don't know how it possible to compare two philosophies.
I always thought you can belong to only one of them 😄

[SrMi]

3 minutes ago, SudaliuS said:

I am new bee here, but I don't know how it possible to compare two philosophies.
I always thought you can belong to only one of them 😄

To me, both philosophies have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is hard to pick one permanently.

[wolan]

By the way. the pictures taken with the Leica S4 are also stunning, the color tones appear to me as natural as it goes.

Here are some good examples (further down the thread you'll find examples of photographs shot with the X2D): https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1246588/121/

 

I hope leica will come up with a mirrorless version of their medium format beast.

 

 

[Jeff S]

They all look similar on my phone screen; not dissimilar from pics taken with my phone.

Jeff

[wolan]

vor einer Stunde schrieb Jeff S:

They all look similar on my phone screen; not dissimilar from pics taken with my phone.

Jeff

Leica phone? 

[Jeff S]

15 minutes ago, wolan said:

Leica phone? 

That one froze.  
 

Jeff

[EdwardWestin]

Be careful of the X2D reviews on Youtube. You will notice that there was a HUGE amount of "YouTuber reviewers" reviewing the 90mm and X2D together as I suspect Hasselblad sent them out for review (most of the YouTubers who reviewed them where not Hasselblad shooters, medium format shooters etc. And if you look at their videos prior and post no more mention of the X2D). 

I owned the X2D, and recently picked up an M11. Both are excellent cameras and honestly both will give you very similar image results. The X2D slightly more neutral colors. This said, the USER experience btw the two cameras very very different. The X2D and Sl series are a very much more comparable than the X2D and M11 due to SL and X2d being "camera systems" and both mirrorless. 

The M11 being a rangefinder, its way lighter, smaller and a different way of taking photos due to the rangefinder experience. 

Just to note - the X2d and M11 (with firmware 2.1.1 -both experience intermittent freezing requiring you to pull the battery and restarting. 

I could write an essay on the differences btw the two in use. But to sum it up - the X2D def is still a slow, medium format system with a bit of lag from shutter to picture. There is also some black out in the viewfinder from frame to frame. AF is single point and pretty basic. 

The X2D uses leaf shutter lenses. Not a large selection of native lenses but with the leaf lenses you get faster shutter sync speeds with lights. However, it also means that you have to use leaf shutter lenses and not nearly as many options in adapting lenses. 

For example - the SL systems you can use L mount AF lenses (Leica, Panasonic, Sigma, and others), M mount lenses and many more. I had an old 20mm Nikon AIS from on my parents old SLR systems in a closet. For $20 I was able to get an M to Nikon F adapter and use the lens on M11 (no rangefinder focusing, need either the Visa EVF) or on the SL. 

Lastly, depending on the type of work you do you might find that you may want to pair the SL with an M11 and if so you can use your M lenses on both cameras.

[hjddd]

there is one another point , you may have a better computer bigger RAM bigger SSD before these two cameras ^

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[Leica Filmmatic]

My X2D never freezes while my m11 still does.  Image wise they are close especially if you just glance, I often have to look twice to see which camera I shot with.  M11 is super portable and go everywhere camera with outstanding IQ.  But if you are going to light something the x2d is the best for that on the planet.

[RMF]

I have them both an M11 and a X2D as well (X2D with firmware 3.2.0 and an M11 with firmware 2.1.1 )and I haven’t really experienced freezes with either of them. It’s interesting that some say that the files are the same; I found the X2D files spot-on in terms of color, with crazy resolution to die for and great highlight recovery. The M11 dngs on the other hand are certainty beautiful but the colors still need a hit of tweaking IMHO.  Haptics and user experience are completely different as someone already mentioned; overall quality of the cameras is probably equal with maybe a notch just going to Hasselblad.