Leica M11 vs Samsung NX500: Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing a new camera can often feel like navigating a maze, especially when comparing two cameras that hail from entirely different eras and philosophies - such as the Leica M11 and Samsung NX500. I've spent years rigorously testing cameras from both high-end boutique brands and more accessible consumer-friendly lines, and this comparison reflects real-world experience: not just specs, but how these tools perform where it matters - in your hands and on location.

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty to see which camera might be your next trusted companion, irrespective of your photography style or budget. Spoiler alert: these two are leagues apart in price and purpose, and that’s fundamentally important when deciding which fits your photography goals.

Getting Physical: Size, Handling, and Build Quality

Let's start at the surface: holding the camera. Feel is where your interaction begins, and it can affect everything from framing to shooting comfort on long days.

Leica M11

The M11 maintains Leica's classic rangefinder-style body in a compact yet robust form factor. At 139 x 80 x 39 mm and weighing 640g, it strikes a purposeful balance between solidity and portability. The M11’s magnesium alloy chassis combined with environmental sealing gives it confidence-inspiring durability, essential for professional outdoor shoots or travel.

True to Leica’s heritage, the M11 features a rangefinder optical viewfinder - a no-electronics, 100% field coverage viewfinder with 0.73x magnification. This requires manual focusing, an art form for many, but one with a steep learning curve if you're used to autofocus systems.

Samsung NX500

In stark contrast, the NX500 is a smaller, lighter APS-C mirrorless by comparison - only 120 x 64 x 43 mm and tipping the scales at 287g. Its plastic and metal mix body lacks weather sealing, marking it as an enthusiast camera meant for fair-weather shooting or indoor use.

It eschews a viewfinder entirely for a rear 3-inch tilting LCD, which supports touch input. Ergonomically, it's designed for portability and discretion, suitable for street or travel shooters who prioritize lightness and snapping quick shots.

In terms of physical control finesse, the Leica has fewer external controls - fewer clubs for your thumbs - relying heavily on manual settings. The NX500 offers more buttons and dials, handy for changing settings on the fly with autofocus-enabled shooting. Take a look at these top views for control layout:

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Under the hood, sensor size and technology fundamentally influence image detail, dynamic range, and low-light capacity. So what do these two bring to the table?

Leica M11

The M11 sports a 60-megapixel full-frame BSI CMOS sensor - Leica's highest resolution to date - with a sensor area of 864 mm². Its native ISO range runs from 64 up to 50,000, making it versatile from bright daylight to dim interiors. The presence of an antialiasing filter (which reduces moiré patterns) is favored by professionals aiming for the pin-sharp fidelity required in high-res portrait sessions or landscape prints.

This large sensor means larger individual pixels that gather light efficiently, resulting in outstanding dynamic range and color depth. The M11’s sensor excels in nuanced skin tones and subtle gradations, crucial for portrait and studio photographers seeking the utmost accuracy.

Samsung NX500

The NX500 features a 28-megapixel APS-C BSI CMOS sensor with an area roughly 369 mm², which is significantly smaller. It lacks an anti-aliasing filter, enhancing sharpness with a slight risk of moiré. Native ISO runs from 100 to 25,600, expandable to 51,200, which is respectable but generally noisier at high ISOs due to smaller pixel pitch.

While the NX500’s sensor resolution is more limited, it benefits from the crop factor (1.5x), making its lenses effectively longer in the field - useful for wildlife or sports at this entry-level mirrorless price point.

Practical takeaway: for where detail and dynamic range reign (landscapes, portraits), the M11’s sensor is a powerhouse, whereas the NX500 is an excellent performer for everyday versatility where budget and size matter more.

Viewing and Controls: Interactivity & User Experience

How you see your composition and interact with camera menus is often a deal-breaker, especially when switching between digital and manual focus approaches.

Leica M11

The M11 features a fully articulated 3.0-inch touchscreen LCD at a high resolution of 2,333k dots. Though Leica’s approach is minimalist - fewer buttons, menus geared toward purists - the interface is highly customizable but requires a learning curve if you’re accustomed to autofocus-centric DSLRs or mirrorless cameras.

Interestingly, the M11 lacks an electronic viewfinder (EVF) - it relies entirely on its optical rangefinder. This can either be charming for those who enjoy manual focusing traditions or frustrating if you want rapid AF confirmation.

Samsung NX500

The NX500 also has a 3-inch rear screen, though tilting rather than fully articulating, with 1,036k dots resolution - less high-res than the Leica but sufficient for field use. The touchscreen supports intuitive AF point selection and menu navigation.

The absence of any viewfinder means all composing must be done on-screen, which can introduce challenges in bright daylight but makes the body simple and compact.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Here’s a fundamental schism: Leica’s M11 is purely manual focus, embracing the rangefinder tradition; Samsung’s NX500 is autofocus-driven with modern AF tech.

Leica M11

No autofocus system whatsoever - zero AF points or subject tracking features. This means you must master zone focusing, hyperfocal distance, or carefully nail focus manually using the rangefinder’s alignment patch. This approach is ideal for deliberate, slow, contemplative shooting like portraiture or street photography but not suited for fast-moving subjects.

Continuous shooting tops out at 4.5 fps, typical for a rangefinder aiming at image quality over speed. Silent electronic shutter capabilities up to 1/16,000s make discreet shooting possible.

Samsung NX500

The NX500 uses a hybrid autofocus system - both contrast and phase detection - over 209 focus points, enabling quick, reliable AF with continuous tracking and face detection. This is great for wildlife, sports, or candid street shots where silence isn’t paramount but capturing the decisive moment is.

With continuous shooting speeds up to 9 fps, it’s significantly more versatile for action photography.

Lens Ecosystems and Compatibility

Your camera’s value often lies in its lens ecosystem and how it matches your creative goals.

Leica M11

Uses the Leica M-mount, a niche but highly respected lens mount with about 62 lenses available officially, spanning vintage to modern optics. Leica glass is pricey but frequently unmatched in optical quality, with legendary rendering characteristics coveted in portraits and fine art.

The lenses, however, tend to be manual focus only, reinforcing the deliberate shooting style.

Samsung NX500

The NX mount has a smaller ecosystem (32 lenses) and is discontinued now, which limits long-term investment. However, the smoother autofocus and convenient zoom lenses make it more practical for casual shooters or beginners.

Specialized Photography Types: How Each Camera Stands Up

Leica M11 front Leica M11 screen back Samsung NX500 front Samsung NX500 screen back

Based on hands-on testing and image samples, here’s how these two perform across major photography disciplines:

Portrait Photography

• Leica M11: Superior skin tone rendering and creamy bokeh thanks to full-frame sensor and high-quality lenses. Manual focusing requires patience but rewards with precise control.
• NX500: Good color science and background blur for an APS-C sensor but less control over bokeh; autofocus makes capturing fleeting expressions easier.

Landscape Photography

• Leica M11: Outstanding dynamic range and resolution enable massive prints. Weather sealing means rugged use outdoors.
• NX500: Good dynamic range for APS-C but noise at high ISO limits twilight shooting. No weather sealing.

Wildlife Photography

• Leica M11: Not the tool for fast wildlife; slow manual focus and 4.5 fps hinder action capture.
• NX500: Fast AF and 9 fps shooting make it suitable for beginners aiming at birds or pets, though sensor size limits ultimate image quality.

Sports Photography

• Leica M11: Almost no practical use here.
• NX500: Reasonably good autofocus and burst modes for amateur sports but lags behind modern competitors.

Street Photography

• Leica M11: Classic rangefinder appeal for discreet shooting; manual focus can slow you down but encourages compositional thought.
• NX500: Lacks viewfinder, but compact and fast AF fit casual street shooters.

Macro Photography

• Neither camera excels natively at macro given lens limitations and no focus stacking capabilities.

Night & Astro Photography

• Leica’s sensor edge with ISO 64-50,000 and low noise offers advantage, but no built-in stabilization or electronic viewfinder.

• NX500 can shoot at high ISO but suffers in noise; tilting screen aids composition in odd angles.

Video Capabilities

• Leica M11: No video functionality at all - pure stills camera.

• NX500: Offers 4K recording (up to 30p) and H.265 codec; lacks mic/headphone ports, limiting professional audio.

Technical Features Rundown

Who Should Buy Which? Practical Recommendations

Balancing all features and performance with price, here’s where I see these cameras best fitting different photographers:

Leica M11: The Artisan’s High-End Tool

• Best for: Professionals, fine art photographers, and serious hobbyists who value ultimate image quality, manual focusing, and Leica’s iconic craftsmanship.
• Why: The combination of a 60MP full-frame sensor, legendary glass options, and a highly durable build offers an unparalleled shooting experience if you embrace manual focus.
• Consider if: You’re willing to invest in premium lenses and have patience for manual rangefinder focusing.
• Not for: Beginners, action or wildlife shooters wanting fast AF, or video creators.

Samsung NX500: The Affordable Everyday Shooter

• Best for: Enthusiasts on a budget, street photographers needing autofocus and portability, videographers wanting lightweight 4K capture.
• Why: Its fast hybrid AF and solid 28MP APS-C sensor combine with user-friendly controls and decent video at a far lower price point.
• Consider if: You want a versatile mirrorless that fits in a jacket pocket and supports a range of shooting styles without breaking the bank.
• Not for: Those demanding ultra-high resolution or heavy-duty weather-sealed build quality.

Detailed Genre-Specific Scores

Leica M11 shines in portrait and landscape scores owing to resolution and dynamic range supremacy. The Samsung NX500 dominates in speed-dependent genres like sports and wildlife thanks to autofocus and frame rates, despite sensor size limitations.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Passion with Practicality

I’ve always told fellow photographers: "Know your priorities, and the camera will serve you well." The Leica M11 is an investment in legacy, image fidelity, and pure photographic discipline. It rewards those who find joy in deliberate shooting and gorgeous resolution.

On the flip side, the Samsung NX500 is an impressive package for its market segment - especially if you want autofocus, video, and don’t mind sacrificing some image quality or rugged build. If you’re a cheapskate (and I mean that lovingly!), or need a travel-ready do-it-all, it’s a killer value.

Leica M11 front Leica M11 screen back Samsung NX500 front Samsung NX500 screen back

Remember, no camera is a magic bullet. Your imagination, understanding of light, and creativity matter more than megapixels or burst rates. That said, choosing the right tool that aligns with your style and budget can elevate your craft and enjoyment on shoots.

Pros & Cons Recap

When considering your next camera, think beyond specs and prices. Reflect on your photography goals, patience for manual focus, and whether video is in your workflow. The Leica M11 and Samsung NX500 cater to different souls behind the lens - one lovers of old-school craft and the other seekers of nimble, tech-friendly versatility.

If you value ultimate image quality and are ready to embrace manual focus, Leica’s M11 is an absolute masterpiece. Conversely, if you want a well-rounded mirrorless that can handle fast action, video, and your wallet, the Samsung NX500 is a surprisingly capable companion even years after its release.

Happy shooting! May your next camera be the start of many great images.

For those who want to dig deeper, I base my evaluations on hands-on testing, ISO noise charts, AF tracking under various lights, and real-world shooting scenarios with both cameras, ensuring practical insights drive your decision.