Leica’s Bold Pivot: CEO Confirms Return to In-House Sensor Development

Leica CEO Andrea Kaufmann just confirmed that Leica is once again developing its own sensor, having used a sensor from AMS in Graz up to the Leica M10 and then switching to Sony sensors for the Leica M11. The development time for such a sensor is around five years. However, they are already quite a bit further along, but he cannot say any more about it at the moment.

It seems that the future Leica M12 and SL4 could be equipped with this new sensor. It is quite surprising that Leica has decided to go its own way. I wonder what prompted them to abandon Sony sensors, which are considered highly innovative and advanced (see the new partially stacked sensor in the Sony A7V or the development of the global shutter on the Sony A9III).

I find it exciting that companies like Leica (and Sigma) are trying to go their own way. And I can’t wait to see what the results will be!