Leica M11-D has a
60.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Maestro III processor. On the other hand, Panasonic S1R has a
47.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Venus Engine processor.
Leica M11-D's sensor provides 13MP more than Panasonic S1R's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
One other difference between these two cameras that is worth mentioning is that Panasonic S1R's sensor doesn't have an anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the M11-D and S1R sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Leica M11-D and Panasonic S1R Cameras
Leica M11-D and Panasonic S1R have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Panasonic S1R has 25% larger pixel area (18.00µm 2 vs 14.33µm 2 ) compared to Leica M11-D, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
At Camera Decision, we also look at Dxo Mark sensors when available as we think it is a good indicator of image quality.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Leica M11-D
100
26.3 bits
14.8 Evs
3376 ISO
Panasonic S1R
100
26.4 bits
14.1 Evs
3525 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Leica M11-D
or the
Panasonic S1R ,
including hyperfocal distance.
