Leica M11vs Pentax 17
Leica
Leica M11 (2022)
Starting from £7999 new
Best for Rangefinder enthusiasts & collectors
View Leica M11
VS
Pentax
Pentax 17 (2024)
Starting from £400 new
Best for Film photography enthusiasts & diptych storytelling
View Pentax 17
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Rangefinder Enthusiasts & Collectors — Leica M11 (2022): 60MP of full-frame resolution in the thinnest digital M ever made — the M11 is the definitive expression of Leica's rangefinder tradition.
Film Photography Enthusiasts & Diptych Storytelling — Pentax 17 (2024): The best new film camera of the decade — manual controls, a sharp lens, and a half-frame format that doubles your roll and forces a new way of seeing.
Who should buy what
Leica M11 (2022)
- Rangefinder photographers who want the pinnacle of the M system
- M10-R owners upgrading to the BSI sensor and simplified base plate
- Collectors and enthusiasts who want the most refined digital Leica M ever made
- Photographers who want to slow down and shoot with intention
Quick take: The pentax 17 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Leica M11 (2022) | Pentax 17 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £7,999 | £400 |
| Sensor | 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS (Tri-resolution: 60/36/18MP) | 35mm half-frame (18 × 24mm) |
| Resolution | 60.0MP | — |
| Video | None | N/A — film camera |
| Autofocus | Manual focus only (rangefinder coupled) | Zone focus (0.35m / 1m / 3m / ∞) |
| Stabilisation | None | N/A — film camera |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | Manual wind-on |
| Battery Life | 700 shots (CIPA) | 2× CR2 lithium batteries |
| Weight | 530g body only | ~165g (without batteries) |
| Dimensions | 138.6 × 80.0 × 38.5mm | 113 × 66 × 44mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | Optical rangefinder (0.73× magnification) | Optical viewfinder with half-frame framelines |
| Screen | 2.3" fixed TFT LCD | N/A |
| Mount | Leica M-mount | 35mm film (ISO 25–3200 via DX coding + manual dial) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II + 64GB internal storage | 35mm 135-format film cartridge |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | N/A |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Leica M11 | Pentax 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Street | ||
| Documentary | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Low Light | — |
More comparisons with Leica M11
Camera family history