Decision tools · Compare
M11 vs A1
Quick take: The M11 has the highest resolution at 60MP; the A1 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Sony
A1 2021
Best for Professional sport, wildlife, portrait & hybrid shooting
£4199
new today at Wex Photo Video
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
M11 — Rangefinder Enthusiasts & Collectors: 60MP of full-frame resolution in the thinnest digital M ever made — the M11 is the definitive expression of Leica's rangefinder tradition.
A1 — Professional Sport, Wildlife, Portrait & Hybrid Shooting: 50MP, 30fps, 8K — the Sony A1 is the most complete professional camera ever made.
Who should buy what
M11 (2022)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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
A1 (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional photographers who need resolution and speed without compromise
- Sports and wildlife photographers demanding the absolute fastest Sony
- Studio and fashion photographers who also shoot sport or events
- A9 III or A7R V owners who want a single body that does everything
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | M11Leica · 2022 | A1Sony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £8,200 | £4,199Best |
| Sensor | 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS (Tri-resolution: 60/36/18MP) | 50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 60.0MPBest | 50.1MP |
| Video | No video | 8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Manual focus only (rangefinder coupled) | Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 30fps electronic with full AF/AEBest |
| Battery Life | 700 shots (CIPA)Best | ~430 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 530g (body only)Best | 737g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 138.6 × 80.0 × 38.5mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Optical rangefinder (0.73× magnification) | EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps |
| Screen | 2.3" fixed TFT LCD | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica M-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot + 64GB internal storage | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, Ethernet, HDMI |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
M11
A1
Portrait
5.2/10
8.2/10
Street
5.8/10
6.1/10
Travel
5.6/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
3.2/10
7.9/10
Documentary
2.7/10
7.6/10
Sports & Action
2.3/10
8.8/10
Landscape
7.0/10
7.6/10
Wildlife
2.4/10
8.7/10
Casual
2.4/10
4.8/10
Food
4.9/10
7.4/10
Macro
3.7/10
7.3/10
Architecture
6.6/10
7.9/10
Astrophotography
5.8/10
6.8/10
Filmmaking
—
7.8/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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