- Leica announced a strategic partnership with Chinese sensor maker Gpixel
- Recent Leica cameras use Sony-made sensor tech
- We can expect a new bespoke sensor for future models, possibly the rumored M12
There has been plenty going on behind the scenes at Leica recently, not least of which potentially selling a controlling stake of the business for approximately $1.2 billion to Chinese and Swedish investors. Now, it looks set to change the bedrock of the tech inside its digital cameras.
In January, Leica's Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Dr Andreas Kaufman, revealed that "we're also developing our own sensor again" when referring to future development of the Leica M-system. He made the comment in the German-language 'Leica Enthusiast Podcast', according to a report by Peta Pixel.
We now have a clearer picture of how that might work, following Leica's announcement this week that it's in a strategic partnership with Gpixel — a prominent Chinese sensor manufacturer with BSI, stacked and global-shutter full-frame sensors in its product portfolio.
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This means Leica could ditch the 'off-the-shelf' Sony sensor tech used by its latest cameras, such as the full-frame 61MP unit found in the M11 series, in favor of its own tailor-made type for future models.
The first Leica M11 rangefinder was released in January 2022, but the series still feels fresh considering that the M11-P and the screen-less M11-D models have followed in 2023 and 2024 respectively, and last year's polarizing M-EV1 uses the same Sony sensor too.
That hasn't stopped Leica M12 rumors from circulating for quite some time though, which is to be expected given the original M11 was released over four years ago.
This most recent announcement is only going to pour fuel onto the Leica M12 rumor fire. Dr Kaufmann said, “I am really happy and proud that our long-term cooperation with Gpixel will result in a true Leica sensor, incorporating the best ingredients of engineering between Wetzlar, Antwerp and Changchun", referring to Leica and Gpixel HQs, as well as Gpixel's Europe base in Belgium.
What does the future look like for the next generation of Leica cameras?
Gpixel is a much smaller player than Sony in the sensor-making game, but it has an impressive portfolio nonetheless.
You can forget looking at Gpixel's portfolio for clues, though, because Leica says the next true Leica sensor for next-generation cameras will be an entirely new creation: "The partnership focuses on jointly engineering a bespoke image sensor optimized for Leica’s rigorous imaging standards, enabling unprecedented levels of image quality, dynamic range, color fidelity, and low-light performance across future Leica products."
There's no indication of how far down the line the development of this new sensor is, when we can expect to see it in a camera, or which future cameras will be the first to enjoy it. There's speculation based on the current Leica camera lineup and which models are due an upgrade, though, chief among them being a successor to the Leica M11.
Beyond a potential Leica M12, there could be a new high performance Leica SL series mirrorless camera, or even an entirely new model given Leica's recent form — the M-EV1 was the first 'rangefinder' in the 70 year history of Leica's M-mount to feature an EVF.
Casting a wider glance, this is another situation where a Chinese company could have a big impact in the photo industry, following huge strides by lens makers such as Viltrox, and leading smartphones such as the Oppo Find X9 Ultra – the most versatile camera phone available today.
What's the next Leica camera you'd like to see, and what sort of image quality improvements would you like the new sensor to deliver? Let me know in the comments below!
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