I doubt if you could do that and get the same quality from for instance a 50 MP Canon sensor. The more you crop the more important things like per pixel acuity, crosstalk, precision of micro lenses, precision of Bayer filter, presence of an AA filter, etc. start to count. Clearly Leica has decided that a pixel size of 6 micron is optimal.
It's a moving target, and I doubt anything digital is "decided". I was of the same opinion as you untill recently.
Then I was given a sony RX1r2 to use. It's 42mp BSI sensor is unbelievable. I'd been reading all about since the A7r2 came out, but nothing prepared me for the actual files, or it's great high ISO performance.
With a thin coverglass and good lens profiles I honestly think nothing would shoot M glass better today.
In terms of cropping potential if there is a pixel quality problem, you don't see it until way past where a 24mp can go.
If somebody's job was to pick the best sensor for M available today it would have to be the r2 + a .8mm schott coverglass. But you and I know there are many considerations, and the whole camera, body + lens package is judged on multiple variables.
Leica has done very very well all things considered.
🙂
Now what is gong to be really interesting is the konost release in a year. It won't compete with the M10 in pure RF terms, since it doesn't have an optical RF. But it will be a great new option and it may rival M performance in terms of across the frame performance with the film lenses. We will see.
In terms of getting the optical RF into a much smaller footprint: you are right it's engineering. You do need a certain width, obviously. But the M9 has alot of room to the right of the RF window. Frame selection might be achieved in various ways.
I am a real convert to the RF in daily use. It's so easy on the eyes, fast and accurate. Add a EVF and rear LCD live view. You have great options. A tilt EVF would be so nice.
And the M-mount itself could be very easily upgraded, to allow both close focus and auto-focus. The performance of the techart pro proves the latter, and the many CF adapters for sony bodies proves the former.
I advocate the dual state solution
😉 Two bodies. One classic M, and one utterly state of the art, pushing every envelope. The M "Apollo"
😉
Such a camera would bring in many new Leica users.
