The legendary Leica rangefinder camera series has accompanied the work of top international reporters during the whole last century. Already voted to digital with the introduction 3 years ago of the M8, the M series is now enriched by the ninth evolution, the M9, surpassing the compromises imposed by the earlier digital technology: the format of the sensor is now equal to 35 mm film and get a 18 megapixel resolution. Leica defines its model as the most compact camera with 24x36mm full-frame sensor in the actual market.
The sensor of the preceding M8 measure instead 27 x 18 mm ( 1.3x crop factor) and provides 10.3 Mpx. With the increase in surface and pixel density, the pixel pitch remains unchanged: 6.8 x 6.8 microns.
Differences with the M8 focus all around the heart of the camera: The new sensor is a CCD developed by Kodak. According to Leica, a number of engineering enahancements and refinements will not only increase the resolution, but also gain a stop in terms of noise cleaniness.
In our opinion the most interesting aspect of the new M9 is undoubtedly the chance to finally use the valuable Leica lenses with the originial designed FOV (field of view).
No wonder the price is extremely high, as usual for Leica brand.





ofiicial prices:
Leica M9 at $ 6,995 / £ 4,850 VAT included




The X1 is the new entry for an interesting series of fixed optic compact cameras (24mm Elmarit - 35mm equivalent - f 2.8, AF). The particularity of this little one surely lies in the large size of the 12MP CMOS sensor (ISO 100 to 3200): 23.6 x 15.8 mm, an APS-C, similar to those that can be found on most reflex. Leica is then trying to challenge Sigma, the only other brand that, some time ago, introduced similar products in the market: the DP1 and DP2.
By the moment the price is not yet available.