Medium Format Camera News

Leica announced this morning that its long-awaited Leica S (Typ 007) medium format camera will start shipping globally next month. It’s unclear, however, when exactly the 37.5-megapixel camera will go on sale here in the United States. In a press announcement this morning, the company said only that the Leica S (Typ 007) will start “rolling out in U.S. stores throughout the fall.”

The medium format camera, which features a (30 × 45 mm) CMOS sensor, was announced last year at Photokina 2014. At the time, Leica said the Leica S (Typ 007) would go on sale in spring of 2015.

The Leica S (Typ 007) is a slight upgrade over the previous model. Along with switching to a CMOS sensor from a CCD, the new model is powered by the Leica Maestro II image processor and can shoot up to 3.5 frames per second. Image sensitivity has increased as well, allowing the Leica S (Typ 007) to shoot at up to ISO 12,500.

The Leica S (Typ 007) can also shoot full, 1080 HD video in full-frame medium-format sensor size, along with 4K video. It has a Live View mode and offers 2GB of buffer memory for sustained burst shooting. Even with the faster 3.5 fps burst rate and bigger buffer depth, the new focal plan shutter in the revamped Leica S is rated to last at least 150,000 cycles.

On back, the Leica S has a 3-inch LCD screen with 921,600 pixels. It includes integrated GPS for location tagging of images and there’s built-in wireless, allowing the new Leica S to work with tablet computers, smart phones, or desktop computers without cords or cables.

When it finally starts shipping next month, the Leica S (Typ 007) will sell for $16,900, body only.

More info here.