Leica Product Planning

Having worked in Automotive Product Planning for many years, my brain sometimes wonders what Photographic Product Planning would look like.  Take Leica; a company with storied history, but I think they have lost their way in the digital age.  If I was head of their Product Planning and Development Department, this is how I would envisage a Leica lineup in 2014.

Digital Cameras

Leica M10 – 20MP Full Frame M mount Camera with hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder.  CMOS sensor would feature no AA sensor, but with technology borrowed from Fujifilm to prevent colour aliasing.  Sensor would also feature very low noise at high ISO, with ISO 25,000 being almost free of noise.  Screen would be updated to a 3.2”, 1.3 million pixel display.  Traditional Leica styling with standard vulcanite.  Price = $7,000

Leica X1s- A mirrorless camera with an APS-C sized 16 MP sensor for Leica M mount.  Camera would feature a low cost hybrid optical electronic viewfinder and a 3” screen with 1 million pixels.  Styling would feature some traditional Leica styling cues, but with a modern flavour and size would be a little larger than a Sony NEX-7.  Camera only price = $2,500; with Leica 35mm f2.5 Summarit M = $4,000

Leica D-Lux 6 – A mirrorless micro four thirds camera based on a Panasonic GX1, but with Leica styling.  Body only price would be $900.  A kit combined with the Leica 25mm f1.4 Summilux would be $1600.

Film Cameras

Leica M7 – As per current but sold in very limited quantities as special editions only.  Price - $5000 - $10,000 depending on Special Edition

Leica M7-P – Taking a leaf out of Leica’s early 1980’s play book, offer a cost down M7 with a cheaper rangefinder and lower cost materials.  Price would be around $1700, or just above the price of a nice used M6 now.

Sony NEX 3 with Leica 50mm f3.5 Elmar