Leica M11-V leak suggests controversial camera could be the cheapest M series yet

Date:
Tue, 26 Aug 2025 16:35:08 +0000

Description:
Leicas next M series camera could launch in October, and seems set to
supplant its costly rangefinder component with a much more affordable alternative.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Leica M11-V could be the most affordable M series model yet New leak claims it will have 64GB of internal storage and 60MP full-frame sensor Electronic
viewfinder set to replace iconic rangefinder

A new leak may have revealed the interesting features we can expect from the upcoming Leica M11-V and has also seemingly confirmed that it will be the legendary manufacturers first M series model to come without the iconic rangefinder component.

Leica Rumors has posted what appears to be a marketing information page
about the rumored camera which, if genuine, supports previous claims that the M11-V would be replacing a rangefinder with an electronic viewfinder.

This is likely to be a controversial decision among Leica aficionados potentially the camera worlds most vocal, dedicated and opinionated fanbase. After all, the Messsucher (the German word for a combined rangefinder and viewfinder) is what gives the M series its name.

Ive already written an op-ed pre-emptively opining the rangefinders loss ,
but looking at this recent leak has left me much happier about the M11-V launch because it looks set to be Leicas most affordable M series model yet. A view to a cheaper M series? The current Leica M11, part of a legendary series of digital cameras that utilizes a rangefinder for composing shots and manual focusing. (Image credit: Leica)

The rangefinder mechanism is the most expensive component on a Leica M
camera, so replacing it with an electronic viewfinder will greatly reduce production costs.

Add in the fact that the leak says the camera will offer just 64GB of
built-in memory (the existing Leica M11-P , by comparison, has 256GB
storage), and it seems that were looking at an 'entry-level' Leica M. I put the term in quotation marks because I believe itll still be a premium camera, just like any camera with the red dot logo but I still think itll be affordable by Leica M standards.

The leak says the Leica M11-Vs EVF will be 5.7MP in resolution and 0.5-inches in size, with a 0.76x magnification and diopter compensation.

It also mentions a new FN button for viewfinder control (probably to select different frame sizes via digital zoom), a puristic design (clean lines, due to the lack of a rangefinder window), the Maestro III image processor and a 60MP full-frame BSI sensor the same core imaging setup as the one found on the standard Leica M11 , then.

The leak also states that the M11-V will be manufactured in Germany, lest
fans worry about Leica outsourcing production to the Far East to save money.

The decision to drop the rangefinder on the Leica M11-V wont be universally popular, but if it puts the M series within the range of more consumers it
may ultimately prove to be a wise one.

Of course, many will claim that it isnt a real M series camera without that rangefinder, but Im looking forward to finding out for myself how this camera feels to use. You might also like Camera rumors for 2025: the new gear we're expecting soon from DJI, Sony, Canon and more Street photography with the Leica M11-D is the closest experience Ive had to analog using a digital
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/cameras/mirrorless-cameras/leica-m11-v-leak-suggests -controversial-camera-could-be-the-cheapest-m-series-yet


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