A Better S3 Marketing

[setuporg]

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A lot of questions on this forum show that S3 marketing is misleading and Leica, along with its dealers, did everyone and itself a huge disservice by obfuscating a very simple fact:

There's nothing new in S3 over 007 than the sensor.

The sensor is dramatically better, similar to M10-R over M 240.  

For many users it's worth it.  If this were a clear and in-your-face fact, everyone would save a lot of time.  However, in most marketing materials S3 is presented as if it were a new camera.  If the idea is to attract new users, it will backfire because they will do research.  Existing users waiting to upgrade will simply roll their eyes.  

I think if we all can agree on the fact of a mere sensor upgrade it will be easier on everyone.  Just like M10-R over M10.

[Jeff S]

I don’t know what you’ve been reading, but every reliable source I’ve seen, and subsequent comments on this forum, said just that: the same basic S007 camera inside and out except new dual gain higher resolution sensor (architecture shared with m10 Monochrom and M10-R) and new color array with improved red channel. This was the same description provided at the long ago intro at Photokina 2018, echoed by Red Dot Forum (Leica Miami) and ultimately brought to market.  The only surprise seemed to be the long time delay, but early reports after release revealed no new features.  Marketing relates to benefits from the new sensor (resolution, ISO, DR, etc) and improved colors; otherwise similar to S007 marketing.

As Toni Felsner, the product manager, said early on... “Primarily we have changed the sensor...”

https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2018/09/photokina-2018-the-leica-s3/

No surprise. In fact, it’s what’s led to some predictions here of either the system demise or a change to mirrorless. That would make for bad marketing.

Jeff

Edited April 25, 2021 by Jeff S

[tom0511]

I had a S3 for testing twice (one for betatest and anotherone of the final version) and I would love to own one, and I agree the sensor has improved, I would however not agree that it has changed dramatically. The S007 sensor/IQ has been quite a bit better IMO than M type 240 sensor allready.

 

[John McMaster]

33 minutes ago, tom0511 said:

The S007 sensor/IQ has been quite a bit better IMO than M type 240 sensor allready.

Agree, I hardly use my M system these days and would go for an S3 over M10R.

john

[helged]

1 hour ago, John McMaster said:

Agree, I hardly use my M system these days and would go for an S3 over M10R.

john

Agree, there is more to the output than (apparently) identical sensor specs. I do love S006 and S3 (haven't used the S007). I did enjoy the M9 in good light (but prefer the S006), not so much the M240. But S006 and S3 are both great! 

[Jeff S]

On 4/24/2021 at 9:26 PM, setuporg said:

Just like M10-R over M10.

Unlike the S3, this included other changes, incorporated from the M10-P, such as quieter shutter, touchscreen and level gauge.  But the primary marketing, like the S3, stressed all the improvements due to the new sensor (except no specific mention of improved red channel).

Jeff