It is rare when my day job and photographic passion collide.  Today was one of those days.  Today I had a chance to attend an event run by the camera manufacturer Leica.  They launched 3 premium cameras into the market today.  The X1, M9 and S2.  (S2 was an announcement of production.)

I had a chance to meet their CEO and Division Manager who announced the cameras.  These guys are crazy about quality and I mean this in a good way.  Their emphasis is on precision, quality, innovation, optics and the photographer.  I was very impressed by the event they ran which was also webcast live.

The X1 has an APS-C 12.2 megapixel sensor with a fixed-mount LEICA ELMARIT 1:2.8/24 mm lens.  It is a small light and nicely compact camera.  A high quality camera you can carry in your coat pocket to capture those decisive moments.  It will retail for under $2000.  This is a very sweet camera.

The M9 is the world’s first digital rangefinder camera with a full-format 24 × 36 mm sensor at 18 mega pixels.  It works with any of the lens Leica has built since 1954 for the M class of cameras.  It is comfortable to hold and is retailing today for under $7000.

The S2 is a medium format, 37.5 megapixel camera.  Has a form factor of a DSLR but is very heavy to handle at 32.8 oz.  Will start shipping end of this month starting at $23,000. 

Oh yea I came home with some cute Leica give-aways, like a Leica Loupe.