Leica M11: Is the 60MP Sensor Worth the Hype?

[JNK100]

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3 hours ago, lct said:

You must have rock solid hands then. Sincere congrats as i'm pretty proud of mine at 70+ but i must set my shutter speeds to 1/(2f)s with high res cameras including of course the M11. Just facts. Better photogs than me go up to 1/(3f)s or even 1/(4f)s on this forum. 

I am a little younger and take mostly static subjects which will help.

I also brace against something wherever possible.

 

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[lct]

1 minute ago, JNK100 said:

I am a little younger and take mostly static subjects which will help [...]

That's what i thought too but even on static subjects, the difference is obvious when comparing pics with and without IBIS on high res cameras.

 

[pgk]

On 8/18/2025 at 4:20 PM, NicoleMicole said:

But I'm curious—does the jump in resolution truly enhance image quality, or is it more about the Leica allure?

 

Looking forward to hearing your experiences and insights!

Not sure about the Leica allure bit. My experience of higher than ~25MPixel cameras is that its errr, complicated. A lot of factors kick in to determine whether the results are actually substantially better than lower MPixel cameras. Leaving aside the question of using the camera to blat away and not composing properly in camera (which to me is an anathema because in camera compostion is a fundamental skill of a photographer), there is the primary consideration of need. Assuming that every pixel is utilised to its maximum potential, do you really, genuinely need that information for the final use to which the image is going to be put?

Then there are technical considerations which seem to have been discussed and argued about well and truly already - my experience is that their is some degree of increased precision required to properly produce an image which contains as much information as possible, but this is less onerous than sometimes suggested. It might require use of such impediments as a tripod (which I'm perfectly happy to use with an M but some appear unable to bear considering), or the use of image stabilisation, which I do not find as consistently effective as is sometimes suggested. Whether the precision of rangefinder focusing on an M is sufficient to be as absolutely precise as high MPixels require can be checked mathematically, but I would say that absolute precise accuracy requires live view and magnification - not always possible though.

Lastly there are the ergonomic and philosophical considerations. The M is held up as a portable, handheld camera. Using it in other ways means that any advantages it has over other types of camera evaporate. The Nikon D800E has been mentioned already and its ergonomics in terms of grip are far better than an M for really careful, steadied holding.

The M's operating envelope is relatively small but what it does well it does superbly well. My own personal take is that the M shines within its operating envelope but to me that includes its MPixel size and I'd say it is probably optimal at ~25MPixels. More is starting to push it into the territory where other systems are able to outclass the M. 

[BWColor]

Maybe this is where film has the advantage, but to hit 24MP we’re probably talking 645 and a great negative copy setup.  I have three 645 rangefinder cameras and can choose my sensor.  In digital I’m 60-100MP.  Lots of fast storage and a modern computer required.  This is the only downside to high MP that I’ve noticed.

[lct]

I'm not aware or any system outclassing the M11 with M lenses so i see no reason to reduce its resolution but it can be done easily if needed so,to me at least, it is a non issue.

[pgh]

2 hours ago, BWColor said:

Maybe this is where film has the advantage, but to hit 24MP we’re probably talking 645 and a great negative copy setup.  I have three 645 rangefinder cameras and can choose my sensor.  In digital I’m 60-100MP.  Lots of fast storage and a modern computer required.  This is the only downside to high MP that I’ve noticed.

Not sure I follow. 645 > 24mp  

35mm is around 24 mp assuming a sharp, fine grained negative 

[BWColor]

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36 minutes ago, pgh said:

Not sure I follow. 645 > 24mp  

35mm is around 24 mp assuming a sharp, fine grained negative 

Agreed, if shooting a number of B&W, or Portra 160.

[pgk]

9 hours ago, pgh said:

35mm is around 24 mp assuming a sharp, fine grained negative 

No its not, or rather to some extent it depends on what you measure. I 'real world' tested Velvia 50 againts 25MPixels in a scientific identification scenario. 25MPixels exceed the information capacity of Velvia 50 35mm film easily I'm afraid. I could see details using the digital camera which had well and truly disappeared into grain on film. I would agree with the assessment of 645 equating to ~25MPixels in terms of its information capacity. B&W obviously has a much lower information capacity but this parameter is by far the most useful because it is a go/no go scenraio. Film has many other interesting characteristics but is limited in its ability to reslove in real world situations relative to digital. As MPixels increase sensors too start to struggle because the image projected onto them has many needs and degrades very easily. The problem we are discussing of whether 60MPixels is relevant really depends on what is required of the files it prodces and this in turn depends on the photogrpher's intent. These all need defining before trying to decide whether the sensor's abilities are relevant. Too much discussion is about 'best case scenarios' rather than actuality IMO.

Edited August 21 by pgk
typos

[pedaes]

On 8/19/2025 at 6:48 PM, jaapv said:

It is the experience of dozens of forum members.

Well I follow the M11 threads pretty closely and do not recognise this statement as fact. Where is this experience 'of dozens of forum members' recorded?

[jaapv]

In the forum spread over threads. 

[jaapv]

10 hours ago, pgh said:

Not sure I follow. 645 > 24mp  

35mm is around 24 mp assuming a sharp, fine grained negative 

Medium format is not really relevant in this discussion, it is about pixel size, not pixel number 

[pedaes]

15 minutes ago, jaapv said:

In the forum spread over threads. 

I am sure you are correct, but where ?

As fact, here is a thread where senior members are saying exactly the opposite to your assertion. 

 

[jaapv]

Of course there are opposing posts. People vary, level of handholding technique varies. 
My assertion was 60 MP is not an asset on an M type camera. It does not improve the type of photography it is meant for, leaving only the downsides. 
 

If someone thinks otherwise-just follow your own opinion 

[Viv]

26 minutes ago, jaapv said:

 

If someone thinks otherwise-just follow your own opinion 

I do. And I shall.

[pedaes]

38 minutes ago, jaapv said:

My assertion was 60 MP is not an asset on an M type camera

No, to back up your view your assertion was "dozens of forum members'' experienced motion blur/ camera shake and reported it here. Not so.

Now, your general points are, as you say, an opinion, and that,  as you also say, is fine. 

.

 

[jaapv]

I'm not alone...

 

[pgh]

1 hour ago, pedaes said:

No, to back up your view your assertion was "dozens of forum members'' experienced motion blur/ camera shake and reported it here. Not so.

 

Idk I've read (and experienced) that same thing. I'm not counting individual users but there absolutely has been a plurality of them who have reported it. I'm not going to go suggest you read every thread on this forum to find all of the comments but if you want to, you will see that it is a fact that many have reported that experience. 

[lct]

1 hour ago, pgh said:

Idk I've read (and experienced) that same thing. I'm not counting individual users but there absolutely has been a plurality of them who have reported it.

Sure we have in 2022 and 2023 if memory serves. Most if not all of us decided to use faster shutter speeds and no more issues were reported since then.

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[kkm]

vor 4 Stunden schrieb jaapv:

I'm not alone...

Regarding the video, I like the idea that my pictures will get better with a less resolution camera 😍

[pgh]

3 hours ago, lct said:

Sure we have in 2022 and 2023 if memory serves. Most if not all of us decided to use faster shutter speeds and no more issues were reported since then.

Well yea, that’s the whole conceit there. It works, but it comes at a cost. I decided to return my rental and stick with my m10s.