Leica debuts S-system, 37-megapixel flagship S2 camera

Is it Photokina time, or what? Joining the host of other camera manufacturers with sparkly fresh announcements this week is none other than Leica, which just announced a trio of new cams a few days back. This introduction, however, stands alone, and Leica's making some pretty remarkably bold statements about its new S-system. The first device to take advantage is the 37-frickin'-megapixel S2, which sits between Canon's EOS 5D and EOS 1Ds MkIII in terms of body size. The company designed the camera to provide "the quality of medium format and the handling and flexibility of 35mm," and the outfit also has nine S-system lenses on tap. As for expectations? Leica says it'll perform "twice as fast as Hasselblad H-series cameras," and if that wasn't straight-up enough, the firm's David Bell proclaimed that "[Leica] thinks it has the best professional camera system in the world with this."

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Evan @ Sep 22nd 2008 9:57AM]

Yours for only half a mil.

[Jason Litka @ Sep 22nd 2008 12:38PM]

It can't possibly be that much. They're comparing it in size to a pair of high-end Canon bodies and in function to a Hasselblad. My guess is $30K for the body.

[jibbers @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:05AM]

The dual shutter system which includes the oft forgotten leaf system intrigues and delights me. Cool stuff!

[Temple @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:31AM]

the leaf-shutter isn't used today because of its flaws(slow, heavy, and cumbersome). Its really only good for studio-work since it allows for fast flash-sync speeds.

Theoretically, since the leaf-shutter mechanism is built into the lens and not the body, dSLR makers could make a leaf-shutter lens compatible with the modern dSLRs if they would support it. The real reason they probably don't is that modern electronic-shutters could do the same flash-sync speeds as leaf-shutters (the Nikon D70 being an example). The reason they don't implement a speed flash mode in their Live-view mode I don't understand.

[phule @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:11PM]

This reply is to temple.

Almost all digital point and shoots use hybrid-leaf shutter. Look down the barrel of one and fire with a slow-ish shutter speed.

[farfisa @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:07AM]

Good luck using it without that arm and leg that it'll cost you! Looking at it's still free, though, right?

[Ignatius @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:09AM]

They'll probably require a portion of your soul to touch it, though.

[Techie @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:36PM]

I wonder if they do trade in. I will give you my left nut for one =D.

[Oscar @ Sep 22nd 2008 6:54PM]

" I will give you my left nut for one"

Why would anyone want your left nut?

[bob sakamano @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:19AM]

whoever took this picture of the camera obviously wasn't using this camera because the resolution was too small to get the whole thing in frame

[Allen @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:21AM]

The Mark3 is a 21 megapixel camera. 31MP is a *much* larger file size.

[Eric @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:31AM]

They're referring to the physical size of the camera. It's between the 5D and the 1Ds Mark III in size. Not megapixels, which is 37. For a camera this size, that's remarkable.

Now, if Nikon were to come out with the rumored medium format rangefinder (rumored to be revealed Feb 9, 2009) then the photo world will have indeed been turned on its head with that and this camera.

Depending on price, I might just have to get one. I used Leicas for about 20 years. Nothing can touch them when it comes to lens design.

[Living Brain Donor @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:33AM]

They were referring to the physical size of the camera, not the number of pixels in the sensor.

[eric f. @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:41AM]

@ eric. good name. The only thing is that it's really not practical or even possible for studio photographers to use rangefinders, so the Leica is ideal.

[Mike @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:09AM]

Too bad it is hideous, and looks uncomfortable as all get out. I wouldn't shoot with that thing if it accepted every lens made since the start of time... I'm getting carpal tunnel just looking at it...

[eric f. @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:29AM]

Would you like it better if they made it in colors for you?

[CraigJ @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:45AM]

Since there's no way you can afford it, not to worry.

[Eric @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:08AM]

Actually, that's pretty close to the shape of the Leica R8 and R9. I used an R8 for several years, and though it's a homely beast, it fells very nice in the hand. Easy to hold on to for sure.

But then I have rather large hands. And Leicas are heavy. No doubt about that. The R8 with motor drive and the 70-180 2.8 APO Elmarit R was one heavy outfit!

[Andrew @ Sep 22nd 2008 1:41PM]

I wouldn't go quite THAT far but my first reaction too was: "this looks way too plain and cheap (as in crappy plastic cheap)". It's not a simple understated design which you'd expect to find in an ultraexpensive classy product. It looks like its outsides were designed by an engineer, not a designer. They can't afford to hire one, or what?

[TF @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:36PM]

Ever held a Leica? You'd change your mind if you did.

Admittedly the pictures don't do them justice, but they're quite exquisite to hold.

[Gerardji @ Oct 3rd 2008 4:14AM]

Are you kidding?? This thing is beautiful!!

[Palin is failin @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:31AM]

Is it the Kodak senor?

[amonsul @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:58AM]

yeah KODAK!

[Temple @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:25AM]

Probably Dalsa CCD being that they are using their sensor in the M8 and they have a closer relationship. Also, being twice as fast as a medium-format means its still pretty damn slow compared to a modern dSLR. Both the Dalsa and Kodak CCDs can only go to ISO800 boosted (50-400ISO natively) and produce poor quality compared to the modern CMOS in terms of noise for anything about 200ISO.

But this Leica S2 is half the megapixels as the 75mp S1 they released in 1996.

[The Pepto Pimp @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:44AM]

Temple,

The S1 system is not 75MP. It produces images that are 5140 pixels x 5140 pixels. That's about 26.5 megapixels.

Maybe the files size on the S1 is 75MB, and that's where you're confused?

[Gerardji @ Oct 3rd 2008 4:02AM]

Sensor is by Fujitsu.

[eric f. @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:27AM]

"which sits between Canon's EOS 5D and EOS 1Ds MkIII in terms of size"

how do you come up with that? Leica is 37MP, 1DSMKIII is 21.1MP. Leica sensor is 45x30, 1DSMKIII is 36x24.

This camera sounds awesome. Leica (sorry, had to do it) digital equivalent of my old Pentax 67 in terms of handling. I might just have to give up my P30 for this baby!

[eric f. @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:33AM]

AH! you took that quote straight from the article! You should have been a little more clear about the size of "what".

They mean BODY size.

[Tim Brown @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:34AM]

I wonder if the devil will do a chash exchange for my soul?

[Kelmon @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:40AM]

That there's fightin' talk, sonny. And we kinda like it.

[Nobody Special @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:03AM]

I've been around Leicas the early 60's when I would 'sneak out' my father's Leicas when my parents would be out to dinner. It has a been a satisfying and at times very frustrating 30 plus years of watching them stumble, change hands, and leave great designs on the drawing boards. Oh, but what nice optics!

This literally is a re-birth of the company, not just a new camera. Yes, it will cost a left k'nutsen, but they also will be doing some major things with the R system. So for the photo industry this is good news - and hopefully more new creative ideas will be born from others as well. It's a great day for Leica.

[Eric @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:12AM]

Leica is very lucky to have Dr. Kaufman as the owner. He's in it for the long term. The company could lose money for years and survive.

Leica invented 35mm photography and the profession of photojournalism in the process.

It would be amazing if they reinvent the high-end DSLR market. At the very least, Nikon and Canon will have to take notice and stay ahead. (Except in terms of optics where they can't possibly outdo the Wizards of Wetzlar.)

[eric f. @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:57AM]

I'm not nit-picking, but the MicroFourThirds tag is confusing me. are you saying that this isn't a DSLR, but a rangefinder?

I thought MFT always removed the mirror so you were left with a rangefinder or composing through the LCD.

[Rynth @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:27AM]

I've got an old Leica R8, and its possibly one of the best SLR's I've ever used.

This beasty sounds awesome.

[Padre Esteban @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:56AM]

But will it blend?

[KJ @ Sep 22nd 2008 12:02PM]

Any bets on price? I know that this is one of those "if you have to ask you can't afford it" type pieces but I am just curious if they will even come down on this side of the PhaseOne. My bet is no. $50K+

[Eric @ Sep 22nd 2008 12:30PM]

The only price I've seen so far is 25,000 to 30,000 euros.

[Kenjis9965 @ Sep 22nd 2008 12:35PM]

Hn..it would be really awesome if leica did trickle the R-series SLR down [it mentions in the article the R system isnt dead yet, so im guessing there will be a R dSLR] price wise to a point where you could really afford it [Although, I think the body wasnt expensive, just those ^%&^$ing lenses...which yeh, I know, THEYRE WORTH IT just REALLY expensive]

Always wanted a leica, always will...I'll get one some day I know that...just not sure how I'm gonna pay for it!

[Alex @ Sep 22nd 2008 12:45PM]

Great camera for sure from Leica and had they realized that you buy into a system not a body they could come to the their senses.
The article keeps talking that they want to go into cameras used for location shooting (where Nikon and Canon are the main players).
They need to realize that if you are a Canon user you already have a boat load of $$$ EF L glass, 2 5Ds and 2 5DMKIIs on the books soon to be ordered.

With Canon releasing the 5DMII with 21MP @ $2,700 and most photogs having a nice collection of L glass the choice is easy.

12MP on the original 5D was more than enough for people (and if you wanted more Genuine Fractals was your friend).
21MP on the 5DMKII @ $2700 is going to make it extremely hard for any other company to shift users from Canon.
The 5DMKII is also much more versatile cameara with much better response at super high ISO.

Going to Leica would mean paying a significant premium for the body and having to get a new Leica lens lineup.

If you are running a business simply running the numbers and figuring out how long it will take for this S2 Leica to get amortized should be enough to scare anyone with a business head on their shoulders.

For the camera collectors and other people (with money to burn) that just want to say they have one I'd say go right ahead and buy at least 4 S2 bodies per user!!!

[Gerardji @ Oct 3rd 2008 4:15AM]

As stated before, it seems Kaufman is in for the long haul. Old guys might keep their Nikon and Canon systems, but new, young photographers are being born and starting every day.

[Silverfrog @ Sep 22nd 2008 1:06PM]

This is fantastic news. The more manufacturers get onboard and competitive, the better. Competition is a good thing. I hope Mamiya releases a similiar product, as they are my personal favorite in the high-end realm. I would love to see a "clash of the titans" so to speak.

[Jessie @ Sep 22nd 2008 1:26PM]

Does it also make chili and fries?

[Jessie @ Sep 22nd 2008 1:29PM]

Side note, it's going to be about 43.4k

[anebg @ Sep 22nd 2008 1:54PM]

Is there an engadget feed without cameras?

[Eric @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:13PM]

Yeah, and I want to know if there's an Engadet feed without a sense of humor?

I'll decide what's funny, not some editor in New York thank you very much.

[david @ Sep 22nd 2008 1:56PM]

The new 5D Mark II will change what people buy, even the pros.

[TF @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:36PM]

You think? I was hoping for something incredibly groundbreaking with the 5D Mk2 as I've been waiting for a 5D successor for ages... but I'm feeling pretty unimpressed.

Yes, HD video is handy...
Full frameness is lovely...
etc

But nothing truly groundbreaking.

[Nobody Special @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:02PM]

The new Canon 5D Mark II will in 2 years be obsolete - not the best Canon has to offer - and not in the same league with the S2.

[The Pepto Pimp @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:24PM]

TF -

Have you seen the sample shots from the mkII? Have you seen the noiseless images at ISO 1600 & ISO 3200? What about the "acceptable" amounts of noise in ISO 6400?

What were you expecting? A bj?

[Gerardji @ Oct 4th 2008 8:32PM]

i have a friend who is selling his Canon 1D Mark III to get a 5D Mark II.