Leica M9 and X1 leak out ahead of schedule
By Nilay Patel 
posted Sep 2nd 2009 12:42PM
posted Sep 2nd 2009 12:42PM
posted Sep 2nd 2009 12:42PM
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18.2 MP that's sick, wonder what the image quality is like though...
leica dude.
Well, Leica doesn't stand for quality any more. Their M8 has been plagued with IR sensitivity and poor color representation. Mostly due to the dated Dalsa CCD that was equipped. Hopefully the new M9 uses a modern CMOS sensor.
The X1 would be a micro-fourthirds camera. Its been long rumored that Leica and Panasonic are developing one. This would allow Leica to use Panny's GF1 parts bin.
http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/panasonic-and-leica-may-launch-new-micro-43rds-cam-20090424/
Actually it has IR problems due to the removal of the AA/IR filter which increases resolution... still a bayer sensor (yuck) but better than the other cameras's out there. Though you can HOT ROD most dslr's and remove the AA filter.
Also CCD's tend to give better image quality than CMOS. More space dedicated to the image capture and not on board circuits. CMOS uses less power though and remains cooler. Point is - it is not accurate to say that CCD is better or worse than CMOS. It is all in the implementation.
For me. I will stick with my FM3a for now with 28 2.8 AIS and 85/2 AIS. Stunning shots there on TMAX+DDX+CoolScan 5000.
RF.
cream
I hope that is a bad rendering of the X1. It looks like it was made by the same company that makes Holgas.
There is nothing wrong with a Holga.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24095495@N07/
I never said there is something wrong with the Holga. I only own toy film cameras. Diana, Polaroid EE100 SE, and more. No digital cameras.
But look at the design. It is extremely plain and cheap looking compared to the M9 below.
Actually Holgas are terrible cameras and probably the most criminal way of disposing of 120 film devised.
Man I really hate that grip handle!
It's obviously removable, it attaches to the tripod socket like the one for the D-Lux 4
I wonder if there's another battery in that grip?
Is this from the same stable as the Olympus EP1/Panasonic GF1? Specs/size look similar
If I were a bettin man (and I am) I would say you are exactly right. Bet it uses all the same lenses too.
Those cameras use the micro 4/3 standard, the X1 is noted as using an APS-C format sensor and a fixed focal length lens, so probably not.
X1 = expensive version of Panasonic LX4?
The grip handle looks detachable...
Both will be sweet cameras if the rumors are true.
I usually don't click on your (engadget) links in articles, but I do hover over them to see what you are linking. Sometimes they are the funniest part of a post. Just thought I'd note that it gets a chuckle from at least 1 reader.
Leica would do well to get on the micro four-thirds bandwagon.
That X1 looked like it has a pancake M4/3 lens.
There's a lot of debate about the X1 on various camera forums. Most of the consensus is that this is either a design study or a render/photoshop.
@camper
Leica has a micro4/3 camera called the Digilux 3
been around for years (too many years now)
unfortunately it is only 7.5 megs and Leica never really committed to it
only offering an R lens adaptor
they could have made more lenses or offered an M adaptor and done much better for themselves
The Digilux3 wasn't micro 4/3 it was regular 4/3. So far the only micro4/3 cameras are the olympus digital pen, the panasonic g1 an gh1 and as of today the gf1.
Digilux3:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Leica/leica_digilux3.asp
the panasonic (or vice versa) equivalent was the DMC-L1:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmcl1.asp
I'm a bit suprised by the x-1 since in the past lecia has use a panasonic rebrand for some models I figured it would make a version of the micro 4/3 gf1 that panasonic is going to release instead of a aps-c fixed lens camera that seems to go up against the Sigma dp2.
Maybe it didn't want to do that since it would be too much alike the M9? Or maybe Lecia isn't going to be in on the micro4/3 designs?
Leica does not, nor have they ever made a micro-4/3 camera, that honor currently belongs only to the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic G1, GH1, and GF1.
Leica has, however, made some 4/3 cameras and lenses.
Skip
If Leica actually went with a good Panasonic sensor in the M9 I'm in for one for sure. If they stuck with something similar to that piece of crap they put in the M8 it'll just be a $5000 paper weight (like the M8)
Agreed, the M8 was a major disappointment. A person would have to be crazy to by one. Or a die-hard Leica fan.
Oh, dear. Another opinion from someone who has never used a Leica. Shame.
Both are absolutely beautiful from an industrial design standpoint. And undoubtedly their optics are image quality are top-notch as well (as usual with Leica's high end products). It's good to see there are still companies around with a keen eye for design who don't compromise on aesthetics and materials. Or create weird techno-looking contraptions with blinking blue leds because that's the hip thing to do. Kudos for Leica. They can still make a design and photography lover's heart beat faster.
Leica dSLRs produce images that are inferior to those made by cameras costing 1/4 as much. Read the reviews, I'm not making this up. A few people with more money than brains are still willing to pay $5000 for such a thing, but that number is dwindling. They would do well to release a camera normal people actually to buy sometime this century.
i completely agree...the look of the camera has a certain 'je ne sais quoi' about it that proves you dont have to have a 30th century look for something to be good quality...
now, i dont know cameras like i know other things but what ive read/heard is that leica does make some quality cameras but are not up to par as far as other companies go. but as far as a design standpoint goes...well done!
@terhost Spoken like someone who has never used a Leica. They are renowned for their rangefinders -- film and digital -- not their SLRs. The M8 isn't a perfect camera, the need for UV/IR cut filters is my biggest complaint, but the image quality is fantastic and it's a dream to focus.
If you want zoom lenses, autofocus, pop-up flash, and other bells and whistles, a rangefinder is not for you. But for taking photographs, it's a great option for anyone is a fan of quality, compact prime optics and manual focusing & exposure.
If the M9 does drop on Tuesday, expect prices on used M8 to drop in kind. A used M8 is a viable option for anyone who is intrigued by the idea of using a digital rangefinder.
This looks hot. Say what you will about Leica's being overpriced panasonics, the warranty is good, the camera's are good, and the software /manual is good.
I heard a rumor that the M9 was to use an version of the 5D MII sensor...
Ford, I head the same about the M9 using a Canon sensor.
Not saying you're wrong, but (a) it's a different number of megapixels, and (b) didn't they need a special (or at least modified) sensor to cope with the very large angle because the sensor is close to the lens? That problem would be even worse with a full-frame sensor.
With full-frame, if it delivers the expected quality (and by the way I expect they'll get the IR thing right this time around) this could be a really great camera that I can't possibly justify buying, instead of a so-so one that I can't possibly justify buying. :) It looks great of course. I'd certainly like to try one...
Is it just me our does the picture of the x1 really look like bad photoshopping? Every corner looks crumpled!
I think the X1 is probably a rough mock-up or prototype, not the final product. Interesting if they go the fixed-lens route, I was thinking they'd go for another Panasonic rebadge, this time of an M4/3 camera if anything.
Kind of a moot point since Leica's offerings are well outside what I'd pay for a camera (a few used, 35mm bodies aside), but interesting to see what they do.
both of these will be awesome cameras, but both will cost texa$
X1 with a fixed lens? That would be a joke. If it is a micro 4/3rds with interchangeable lenses, then we are talking.
Both those photos are crappy, btw
I hope they offer an upgrade from the M8 -> M9...
If this camera is real all I can say is "Canon G11"
Unless they come out with a D-Lux 5 with a longer zoom Leica has no place in my bag until I can afford to buy a M9 as a travel camera and not a work camera. However, by then they will have a M11.
Yes, the M8 was a big disappointment. But there have been major changes at Leica over the past few years, and they have pretty much reconfigured the company and updated their philosophy. They'll never let another camera out like the M8 again. They know it would be the death of the company.
If the M9 has as good image quality as I'm hoping, it will sell all my Nikons to get one. (I have a 1Ds Mark II and 5D Mark II at work.) An M9 with a 35mm 1.4 Summilux ASPH would be my dream outfit.
We have some more info on our site at http://www.travelphotomag.com/reviews/leicam9.html