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Leica announces launch of new "system cameras"


Wolfgang Esslinger

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In today's press release (I only found the German version), chairman Rudolf Spiller says (translation by me):

 

In the camera product field we will utilise the chances for profitable growth through a comprehensive extension of our portfolio of new digital system cameras, including the Leica S2, which was presented at last photokina.

 

Original copy:

"Im Produktbereich Kameras werden wir die Chancen zu profitablem Wachstum durch die umfangreiche Ergänzung unseres Portfolios von neuen digitalen Systemkameras nutzen, darunter die Leica S2, die anlässlich der vergangenen photokina präsentiert wurde."

 

He speaks of several system cameras, i.e. not point&shoot, and not of just S2. I conclude from this that a new M camera is about to be launched in 2009.

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Depending on translation and nuances, that doesn't necessarily rule out P&S.

 

And it could be as few as two cameras.

 

Is he talking about cameras in a new digital system, or new cameras in a digital system?

 

:confused:

 

(Brain hurts. Go home. Find Newcastle. Find cap lifter.)

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I don't know if it is due to the translations, mis-understandings or what but Leica seems to say a lot of nothing when they speak. So ironic, given that they are so specific about their work but so vague about their words.

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Leica Pinmaster? more variants of that?

 

 

How about a Leica Viewmaster?? Slap a red dot on one of these (or better make it a black dot for contrast), I'll bet many of us would drop a couple hundred quid...

 

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Sorry - to me that's a misleading headline.

 

It is not a product announcement unless it includes (from the manufacturer's own mouth) a name; general specs; images of at least prototypes or actual product to handle; delivery date; and price (ideally, although Leica skated on that one with the S2). When Kaufmann or Spiller stand at a podium holding it in their hands and say "Here it is!" - it's announced. Not until then.

 

Leica announced nothing except financial results. Spiller says there will be new products in the coming year - well, d'uh!

 

Fiscal year runs to June 30, 2010. Spiller's comments suggest, at most, that between now and then we will see the S2 and something else. An M9 in May would qualify - but so would a Panny G1/GH-1/GF-1 derivative, or a host of other possibilities (C-lux 3 or 4, revived V-lux, who knows?)

 

The headline should be "Leica's Spiller hints at new system cameras." That's all that the facts support.

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Mark: OK - edit that to read "An M9 in February..."

 

My point remains - something new in the next fiscal year does not = an M9 on Sept. 9. Jumping to conclusions is not an Olympic track event, and medals are not awarded.

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Here is a quote from the Annual Report:

 

Product risks

There is considerable risk from the continuing acceleration of

product life cycles in the digital camera sector. The key digital

technologies and the timely market introduction of products

are essential for the Company’s corporate success and the

continuation of the Company as a going concern. Alliances

with reliable technology partners constitute a vital part of the

process both in the field of digital compact cameras and in

the field of digital system cameras.

 

Notice that technology partners is given important prominence here and later.

 

The following is an important accountants statement:

 

As a result of the sales slump due to the global eco -

nomic crisis, as well as a result of delays in the development

and market introduction of products there are considerable

risks concerning the continuation of the Company as a going

concern as at the end of the fiscal year.

 

Accountants must address the risks of whether the company will continue as a "going concern." Leica has put forth several restructuring plans but the statement above means that their is very significant risk that it may not continue as a going concern. If you read the report you will see both sales and debt repayment risks that could put the company at risk.

 

With its analogue and digital system cameras Leica

Camera Group is to gain a solid position in the upper market

segment. The Company plans, in cooperation with a partner,

to supplement its portfolio in the medium and upper price

segments by digital compact cameras, thereby increasing its

share in the market. There are initial prototype projects tar -

get ing further market segments for high-grade lenses.

 

Are we talking Panasonic's new M4/3rds GF-1? Now you will get to use your R lenses. Of course you could have purchased the G1, or GH-1 or Oly E-P1 and done the same thing allready. :)

 

For all product lines marketing and sales are uncompro -

misingly geared towards the upper price segment. Structures

are being adjusted, and the Company presses ahead with the

implementation of the Top Dealer Concept, as well as the harmonisation

of prices.

 

Don't expect cheap, even for rebadged.

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Yep - certainly looks like Leica needs to get something on the market to catch the Xmas season this year. I'm sure there WILL be announcements of specific products upcoming soon.

 

As to your other points, I mostly agree, but already stated it here, so why repeat?: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-forum/94274-leica-m43-camera.html

 

These two threads are running in parallel, it seems.

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Here is a quote from the Annual Report:

With its analogue and digital system cameras Leica

Camera Group is to gain a solid position in the upper market

segment. The Company plans, in cooperation with a partner,

to supplement its portfolio in the medium and upper price

segments by digital compact cameras, thereby increasing its

share in the market. There are initial prototype projects tar -

get ing further market segments for high-grade lenses.

 

Are we talking Panasonic's new M4/3rds GF-1? Now you will get to use your R lenses. Of course you could have purchased the G1, or GH-1 or Oly E-P1 and done the same thing allready. :)

 

I'm thinking (or at least hoping) Panasonic has something else coming out after the GF1, something along the lines of the old LC1 but based on m43. Manual controls, built-in EVF, bounce flash, rangefinder style body, etc. The underlined part sounds promising.

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How about a Leica Viewmaster?? Slap a red dot on one of these (or better make it a black dot for contrast), I'll bet many of us would drop a couple hundred quid...

 

I'm sure you mean a couple thousand... Come on, it comes with a Leica dot!:D

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certainly looks like Leica needs to get something on the market to catch the Xmas season this year. I'm sure there WILL be announcements of specific products upcoming soon.

 

Good to know that they won't be rushing out the M9 before it's been fully tested... :confused:

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