Update: leica X1 and M9 are official. The M9 is available at amazon for veeeeerryyyy reach people only:
Leica M9 18MP Digital Range Finder Camera (Black)

The X1 is also not that cheap: Leica X1 12.2MP APS-C CMOS Digital Camera with Leica Elmarit 24mm f/2.8 Ashperical Lens with 2.7 inch LCD

That’s an important news for MicroFourThirds user. Now it is official that Leica will not release any MicroFourThirds camera. Probably the X1 want become a dangerous GF1 and E-P1 competitor.The X1 is expensive and has a fixed lens.

From LeicaRumors:

“A Leica rep ensured me yesterday that the X1 is a complete inhouse development and has nothing to do with the GF1 or any mFT or FT. It has a CMOS APS-C sensor (which is nearly twice as big as a FT sensor) delivered by an “unknown supplier” in it.”

Now we are done with Leica ;) . Please visit leicarumors for a full Leica news coverage.

X1 specs
• High performance compact camera
• Design in same tradition of the classical Leica camera
• 12.2 megapixels, large APS-C size CMOS Sensor, 23.6 x 15.7 mm
• Exceptionally fast wide angle, Leica Elmarit 1:2.8/24 ASPH Lens (equivalent to 36mm in 35mm format)
• Fast autofocus with simple, intuitive controls and image stabilizer
• Automatic and manual options
• Built-in pop-up flash
• 3 Frames per second shooting speed – RAW & JPEG Capture, fastest in its class
• Made in Germany with a 2-year international warranty
• Directly integrates into HD TV or Home Theater

Craftsmanship
The Leica X1 boasts of superior ruggedness and durability with its aluminium top and bottom plates,
magnesium body and aluminium dials to withstand the rigors of everyday use.

Sensor
The LEICA X1 has the world’s largest sensor in a compact camera. The CMOS sensor which is 23.6 x 15.7
mm is 30% larger than its closest competitor. The LEICA X1 offers the DSLR quality in a compact camera
with its 12.2 mega pixels. The sensor offers sharp pictures in low light conditions making it a perfect
compact tool for professional photographers.

LEICA Elmarit 1:2.8/24 ASPH Lens
The LEICA ELMARIT 1:2.8/24 ASPH is an outstanding performing lens with its 8 glass elements with 1
aspherical surface. Leica quality: unsurpassed resolution, sharpness, color fidelity and contrast – even at
maximum aperture. With an image stabilizer and an ISO range from 100-3200, the LEICA X1 offers
creative options in available light even under low light conditions.

Handling – Automatic settings and manual controls
The LEICA X1 offers straightforward controls making it easy for both amateur and professional
photographer. The numerous automatic functions and manual settings of the LEICA X1 gives the
photographer options. The photographer can choose the easy way and let the camera take over the
exposure or shutter settings in the automatic mode or switch over to manual controls by using the wheels
on top of the camera. The LEICA X1 gives the photographer full control for creativity while providing the
automatic mode for quick response.

Autofocus
The LEICA X1 autofocus is quick and versatile. It automatically adjusts focus and exposure . It has a 11
point atuofocus system with Face Detection. The LEICA X1 allows the photographer to capture special
moments and fleeting expressions with greater accuracy, taking a series of shots and choosing the best
one. The photographer can capture 3 frames per second shooting speed, either in DNG or JPEG format.
It is the fastest in its class.

Optional Accessories
The Leica X1 is like any other system product. A wide range of accessories for the LEICA X1 including the
bright line view finder, the handgrip and ever-ready cases are available.

source: leicarumors.com

Click on picture to enlarge!

This one is an old image leak. We don’t know if the image is real!

FAKE: “Only the X1 and the Leica M9 have been announced :(

So finally we know(?) what’s the secret surprise from leica, is it the R10?

The sources says “The R10 beta tester says that the finder is so bright that Leica delivers sun glasses for free with the camera!“

Source: l-camera-forum.com

(FT3) R10 specs??? Source: http://www.overgaard.dk/leica_R10_dSLR.html

Full frame 24x36mm.
Maestro processor (as in the Leica S2).
24MP or more (based on the size of the sensor compared to the 30×45 mm 37.5 MP sensor in the S2)
Kodak sensor.
ISO 1600 and above (with 1600 ISO in acceptable quality; better than existing Hasselblad it has been stated)
Same or better image quality than DMR (which is already better than Canon 1ds Mark III and Nikon D3)
Autofocus (with a new range of AF R-lenses implied, or internal AF as described further down the page!)
Backwards compatible with existing non-AF R-lenses,a dn with focus-confirmation.
Based on the S2 developments and technology
Big bright viewfinder, great for focusing, information and prople wearing glasses
Fast AF, fast buffer, fast everything
Smaller size than Leica R9, Leica S2 and Canon 1ds Mark III
FireWire
Focus on simplicity, manual control, image quality, Leica philosophy about the image in focus
Dual memory card support for Flash and SD-cards (as the S2)?

–

UPDATE: We still don’t know if the R10 is real or fake. We are continuely checking the news…

Update: leica X1 and M9 are official. The M9 is available at amazon for veeeeerryyyy reach people:
Leica M9 18MP Digital Range Finder Camera (Black)
The Leica X1 12.2MP APS-C CMOS Digital Camera with Leica Elmarit 24mm f/2.8 Ashperical Lens with 2.7 inch LCD is cheaper :)
.

Leica M9: $6,995 msp ships September, will not need uv-ir, will use regular m8 accessories.
Leica X1: $1,995 msp ships January. The Leica X1 is AF, has VR, 12mp cmos sensor and comes with optional viewfinder, ever ready case, grip etc.

via leicarumors.com

Update: You can download the Leica Brochure here at http://litpixel.com/m9_brochure_english_RZ_low.1.pdf

Samsung NX cameras will have Lens stabilization (no in Body IS). The new camera will be unveiled early 2010.

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Leicarumors Live blogging will start tomorrow 09.09.09 at 9:00 EST. Leica will announce their new products, the fullframe Leica M9, the APS-C fixed lens X1….and one more thing? :)
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Dcresoure asked their readers which camera they should review first. The Panasonic GF1 is the second most requested camera!

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 review from dcresource.

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The m43forum.com now has a new design and covers is open for all microfourthirds user (E-P1, G1/Gh1 and GF1)

Adorama: Panasonic Gf1 (Availabilty early October) Preorder now !

Adorama: Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 Lens Preorder now!(Availabilty early October)Preorder now!

.

With the release of the X1, Leica has chosen to go its own way by not joining the MicroFourThirds technology. The X1 will use a new developed APS-C sensor and a ixed lens (Sorry, no interchangeable lens mount!). Anyway, Leica will keep working with Panasonic on new MicroFourThirds lenses.

Tomorrow (9am London time) you can follow the live presentation here: http://www.webcasts.com/mdlk001/090909b/

More infos about last hour news and leaks are available at leicarumors.com

Sony officially told in an interview at http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk that they will develop their own mirrorless system and that it will be better than the current Olympus and Panasonics MicroFourThirds solution.

“Yann Salmon-Legagneur, Sony’s Marketing Manager for Digital Imaging (Europe) told us that ‘of course’ Sony is interested in Micro Four Thirds, but ‘not the format itself, but the products that [are] being launched’. Recent Micro Four Thirds cameras from Olympus and Panasonic have ‘moved the industry’ he said.”

Olympus and Panasonic shouldn’t be scared, because:

a) Olympus and Panasonic are the only one for now to have such a system for REAL now!

b) Because in one or two year when Sony will effectively unveil such a system Panasonic and Olympus will already have a lot of experience, lenses, and probably better tecnology.