(High credibility rumor):
The current Leicaflex SL (on sale on eBay).
The Taiwan government agency NCC and the Russian agency Novacert registered a new Leica camera which has yet not been announced. The Taiwan government requires all new Wifi capable devices to be registered before they go on sale.
The new Leica camera name is “Leica SL“. This is highly likely going to be the name of Leica’s first Full Frame (non-rangefinder) mirrorles system camera! The camera will be announced in October. And if you wonder why Leica di chose the “SL” appendix than the answer is that one:
Our sources told us the new Leica camera will have a design inspired by the “Leicaflex SL” system (camera here on eBay). The Leicaflex was a camera with mirror but the new Leica SL will simply be a mirrorless camera with EVF in the middle of the body.
A couple of weeks ago one of those sources sent me this:
Coming soon: An interchangeable lens version of the Leica Q, with AF lenses. Due out in time for Photo Plus, in October.
This will not be the replacement to the M240 but rather a new system with new AF lenses, bulkier than the Q or M lines, with an EVF and lighter build despite the bulk. Sensor will be similar, if not the same, as the Q’s sensor. Anticipate that it will come bundled with a 50 mm f/2 Summicron lens and retail around $8,000 USD. Build quality will be comparable to the M line and Q line…much of the Q’s tech, including in body image stabilization, electronic shutter, and built in high res EVF, will be included. The camera may harken in design to Leicaflex bodies of years gone by…like a bulkier XT-1 with more simplified layout. This may end up being called the new “R” camera and may well take old R lenses via adapter, along with new AF R lenses. Not sure that it will take M lenses.
That sounds cool…and expensive!
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NCC link found via Digicameinfo. Novacert link via Mistral. Thanks!
51 Responses
See also http://novocert.ru/Documents/Document.aspx?Id=4797373
(Russian certification from mid-August).
Thanks Mistral! May I ask how I can track of new camera entries? I mean, can I find other companies cameras too?
It’s easier when you know the name of the camera you are looking for. Those things are official data bases, not RSS feeds… :).
Finally, Leica brings out something useful, hopefully with a Sony sensor, and probably with a new, larger lens mount.
That in the Q is not a Sony sensor though.
That would mean a 24 MP sensor, an APS-C lens mount without AF contacts and a FF lens. Hmm ?
The lens mount will most probably be the Leica T mount.
That would mean a lens mount designed for APS-C ?
Leica T mount has exactly the same internal diameter as Leica R mount: 50mm.
Both diameters are far bigger than those of M37 and M42 mounts (37 and 42mm respectively), which were obviously designed to handle 24×36 cameras and lenses.
Thanks.
8000 for a Panasonic camera? no thanks
Does Panasonic has a full frame sensor camera?
Still a Panasonic camera. At that price, sensor size doesn’t make difference. So still no thanx
Can you show that Panasonic camera you are writing about?
I think you are referring to the inner circuitry, that might be made by one of Panasonic industries, or maybe some lens design (we havn’t seen anything about them though).
It’s like saying that the Q is a Panasonic camera.
(Agree on the price, too expensive anyway, and I’m glad the M system will live on)
Yeah, indeed the Q is a Panasonic camera too. Made by Panasonic with Leica badge. As they did with the lx100 and several cameras before. just this time, they didn’t release the Panasonic badged version 😛
No it’s not, but you can still think it is 😉 I’m happy you found the Panasonic Invisible Full Frame Camera, lucky you! 🙂
Ciao ciao!
Eheh, ok. I’ll let you keep your head under the sand 🙂 ciao!
How is it a Panasonic? It says LEICA CAMERA WETZLAR GERMANY at the back right above the screen, it doesn’t say so on a D-Lux.
The Q is NOT a Panasonic. Stop being stupid and posting your idiotic conjecture.
Keep cool, I didn’t touch your mom
I am cool. You’re a jerk-off that doesn’t know jack about how Leica works. Just hipping you to the real world. Also I’m probably your daddy.
What’s wrong with Panasonic cameras? Probably fastest AF in industry, EVFs among the best, ergonomics and reliability – ditto. With those traits and Leica sensor and processor (I think) it might be really great camera. At the absurd price of $8k it won’t probably be a serious contender to Sony A7, but still great camera.
Nothing wrong with a Panasonic camera, but got a problem with the price 😀
Panaleica will source 28mpx FF sensor from Samsung.
I hope not: previous rumors (still rumors, I know) were saying that the new camera should have a really good high iso performance. 28MP seem too much to me. (Heck, I’d like to have a 16MP fast and rugged mirrorless camera, something like a stealthy dx1)
Well don’t buy it. Problem solved.
Sure. Just telling my opinion. If not interested, you can just skip it 🙂
Well thanks for letting us know that you distrust Panasonic and Leica products, even those you never touched once.
I am sorry, where did I write that I distrust Panasonic and that I never touched a Leica Q?
It most likely will not be a Panasonic, but if they don’t plan on investing in it it would end up like a Leica T, which is mostly Panasonic since the most important lens is Panasonic. I could in fact live with a Panasonic body if in fact the lenses are proper Made In Germany Leica.
This wont be a Panasonic camera and you’ll be happy with the lens selection.
I have shares of GG Bridge for sale at .22 cents per share, they’re gonna raise the toll to $10 next year so this is a sure bet to go up to a DOLLAR a share..send me your CC# and i’ll sign you up.
Great. It was about time Panasonic joined the full frame mirrorless game. Now let’s just hope the Leica badge doesn’t cost too much.
This won’t be a Panasonic collaboration. This will be a Leica Wetzlar camera. Like the M.
Perhaps this will be a T-mount camera? Back when the Leica T system was launched, it was widely reported that the T mount is large enough for a full frame sensor…
http://us.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-T/Leica-T-Camera-System
It better be M-Mount. No reason why some contacts couldn’t give it AF for the new lenses, but still enable mounting ‘true’ M-Mount lenses natively. Not to mention the many adapters (including Leica official) that are already available for M-Mount, like R-Mount.
If Leica really believes in this camera and is making a “bet the company” investment in it, then there’s only one appropriate letter and “SL” is all wrong.
If, for Leica, this is what really follows the legendary M into the modern age, then this camera should be called N.
🙂
‘SL’ has at least three different raisons d’être:
– a reference to the Leicaflex SL, i.e a 24×36 camera with a viewfinder on top (think Fujifilm X-T1 or Olympus OM-D E-M1)
– a reference to SLR: its a SL non R, a Single Lens camera (i.e. a system camera) which is not a Reflex, i.e. a mirrorless camera with an EVF
– an S ‘leicht’ (= light; as the SL used by Mercedes, which means ‘Sport Leicht’), a baby S, a S with a smaller, 24×36 sensor.
Great explanation. Thanks
I was talking to a Leica dealer this morning: he told me that his boss actually saw this new camera. It’s not an M alternative, the M system will go on for the joy of rangefinder lovers.
Actually he told me that he had several customers choosing a Q instead of an M camera, and this was quite a surprise to Leica.
As written above, the “SL” is lighter than the Q, a different camera, a different shape, a different mount (not M).
The Q is something on its own, as RX1 was/is to Sony.
I wish Leica could add a tele converter for the Q lens, to have a 50mm focal lens angle of view without cropping the image..
I fear that there is too much evidence pointing to a camera with a “hump” and a centered EVF.
That will disappoint me. I love the look of the Q, and after spending a day with one, I would love to see a system camera with interchangeable lenses for that shape.
Sigh
Shutter similar to Q? That is a leaf shutter and would mean LS lenses across the range. A game changer for users of flash! Coupled with Leica glass and you will have lines of pros and hobbyists with wallets.
Leica SL will be announced on October 20th in Wetzlar:
“We cordially invite you to a celebration of photography in the the spirit of “Das Wesentliche”. From October 20, 6:30 p.m. on until October 21, approximately 1:00 p.m, everything in the Leitz Park in Wetzlar will revolve around the fascinating nature of pictures and the exclusive presentation of a new milestone in the Leica Camera product range. Be one of the first to experience the next chapter in the history of professional photography, a historic moment that begins right here and now and will shape the future.“
Judging by the amount of hype they’re giving it, it should be a proper Made in Germany Leica, now for the lenses…
At this price point, Leica is only competing with itself–the M market. If it wants to compete with Sony, it needs to half the price. The good thing is to put a price cap on Sony, as the latter has grown a bit out of control.
The cap will be too high, Sony won’t “grow out of control” to even touch the M.
Panasonic / Leica will source the sensor and part of the internals from Samsung. Lenses will also be based on Samsung designs (as is the new 24 Summilux-M)
LOL
LOL, if the shape on this camera is like the Leica SL, I can’t think but full frame version of Fujifilm X-T1 🙂
Exactly.
ooo I can’t wait I know some of the specs of this camera and it’s juicy 🙂