Buzz
Leica M11 stands as the latest full-frame camera from Leica - a premium camera manufacturer, priced beyond the reach of many.One aspect where I see M11 pioneering in the camera world is its integration of 64GB internal memory. Equipping cameras with internal memory will create an entirely new workflow, possibly eliminating the need for memory cards altogether.
Many users adopt the approach of keeping the memory card permanently inserted in the camera, using USB ports for image transfers, and formatting the card afterward. This is quite akin to utilizing the camera's internal memory.Benefits of Built-in Camera Memory
For regular needs, the primary advantage is that you won't need separate memory cards anymore. With 64GB, on average, a regular RAW photo falls into 40-60MB range, with 64GB you can shoot up to 1000-2000 continuous shots.
One benefit is completely eliminating the risk of forgetting to bring a memory card when going out to shoot. Admittedly, forgetting a memory card is as common as having meals, it's a nightmare. If you're lucky, you can shoot tethered directly into your computer; if unlucky, you'll have to make the team wait 1-2 hours to fetch the card. You'll have some internal memory to work with while waiting to retrieve the card.
Official built-in memory from the camera will always be superior to memory cards we buy ourselves. Choosing a camera is already headache-inducing enough, and after purchasing one, you still have to select a memory card. Instead of having to think about it, having a high-quality memory provided by the manufacturer is a relief. High-speed writing capabilities will outperform memory cards, minimizing the risk of sudden card death, giving you more peace of mind. Evidence is that internal phone memories hardly ever seem to fail, whereas I've seen many people experiencing memory card failures.Leading Products and Their Stories
Currently, paving the way in the field of imaging, there are numerous devices featuring built-in memory, such as:- DJI Action 2.
- DJI Mavic 3: the standard version comes with 8GB and the Premium version offers up to 1TB of built-in memory.
- Insta360 Go2.
- Several devices from Insta360.
Similar stories have occurred with phones decades ago, back when inserting a memory card to expand storage was the trend. iPhones also sparked considerable controversy for not having a memory card slot at that time. However, what's suitable will evolve, and what's outdated and ineffective will be phased out inevitably. Companies that criticized and mocked Apple for omitting the MicroSD card slot on their phones back then have now completely eliminated it from their own devices.Downsides
In addition to the aforementioned advantages, the only downside of built-in camera memory seems to be its price. Surely, the cost will be higher, requiring you to spend a considerable amount of money whether you use this memory or not.Conclusion
The inclusion of built-in memory in the Leica M11 has sparked excitement and hope for the future where all cameras will come equipped with some internal memory alongside memory card slots. This would be extremely beneficial and greatly enhance the photography experience.
