Leica recently unveiled the long-expected M11 Monochrom. The Leica digital black and white camera, now in its fourth iteration, is built on the world-class M11 digital rangefinder architecture. Due to the absence of the Bayer color filter array, the 60-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor produces 14-bit images with 15 stops of dynamic range and no interpolation or per-pixel gain. The sensitivity range spans from a genuine base ISO of 125 all the way up to an eye-watering ISO 200,000 due to to its dual-gain construction.

The M11 Monochrom is still very minimal in terms of appearance. Standard features include textured black leatherette cladding and subtle, durable matte black paint. Instead of contrasting chrome as on the M11, the shutter release, lens lock button, and top function button are all finished in flat black. On the top plate, there is only a unique, black-on-black engraving that says “MONOCHROM” in front of the black hot shoe. There is no script or red dot mark to be seen. The dials themselves lack color as well. On the shutter speed and ISO dials, there are no red ‘A’ markings; instead, a basic gray is used to distinguish this option from the other white-painted engraved numerals. The camera seems to be all work and no play.

The M11 Monochrom, like the M11 in black, is substantially lighter than the M11 since it is constructed of aluminum rather than brass. The M11M is extremely pleasant to use because the 110g difference results in an instantly perceptible 20% reduction in total weight. The M11 Monochrom also has a sapphire glass screen covering the rear LCD, a welcome improvement. The camera is shielded by its tough, scratch-resistant surface, which maintains its crystal-clear appearance and touchscreen capability. It’s wonderful to see Leica bringing this high-end improvement to M11M after the M Monochrom (Typ 246) was the last camera to have sapphire glass two generations ago.

The M11 Monochrom has more technological features than the M11 overall. Three assignable custom function buttons, a Maestro III processor, a 3GB buffer memory, an electronic shutter, sensor-based metering, triple resolution selection, UHS-II card compatibility, USB-C charging and data, updated Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity, Apple MFi certification, increased power efficiency, a 2.3 megapixel rear LCD, electronically stabilized live view, and 256GB of internal memory all contribute to a fluid shooting experience.

In addition, the M11 Monochrom says goodbye to the legendary removable baseplate, much like the M11. Instead, the camera has a bottom-load battery with a release lever identical to those in the SL2 and Q2. To access the SD card slot, remove the battery. The new M11 Handgrip, which has an Arca-Swiss compatible rail along its bottom edge, can also be used with this design. To swap out batteries or SD cards, there is no need to take the handgrip off because a hinged rubber cover makes access simple.