electronrun.com

Leica has got a distinctive camera model range and is already well known for its high quality lenses. In this Photokina however, it is making one of its boldest steps ever, it is unveiling its own DSLR! And this is no run-of-the-mill machine. We are talking about a 37Mp beast with the overall size of a full DSLR, a little bit smaller than the Canon 1Ds series.

But what is truly unique is that the new body is neither a 35mm nor a medium format camera. It is somewhere in between, with a 30×45mm sensor. Leica is aiming at a combination of both worlds, the high end performance of medium format and the versatility/portability of 35mm bodies.

Other highlights are the a dual shutter, the weatherproof body, the “Maestro” image processing that will offer twice the speeds of current medium format cameras and the in-camera JPEG creation. Moreover, there will be full lens support with nine (!) models.

Leica people compare the announcement to the introduction of its first camera in 1925. Certainly the digital camera era is creating new opportunities and if Leica gets this right it will be refreshing to see a new non-Japanese DSLR player in the professional market. However, do not expect the S2 to be affordable for everybody, it will be strictly for well established and wealthy users…

[Dpreview, Gizmodo]