Filed under: Digital Cameras

We noticed that the writeup for Leica’s newly unveiled S2 made mention of a new Kodak sensor, but we’ll leave it to Kodak to do the boasting. Sure enough, the outfit responsible for this atrocity has rolled out a few new image sensors at Photokina 2008, one of which — the KAF-37500 — proudly resides in the aforementioned S2. The company is showcasing sensors for medium format rigs such as the Sinar HY6-65 (KAF-31600) and Hasselblad H3DII-50 (KAF-50100), though quite honestly, it spends more time gloating about what manufacturers it’s partnering with than describing the technology. Oh well, so long as it keeps Kodak from focusing on its pathetic point-and-shoot lineup, we’ll keep smiling.

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Is it Photokina time, or what? Joining the host of other camera manufacturers with sparkly fresh announcements this week is none other than Leica, which just announced a trio of new cams a few days back. This introduction, however, stands alone, and Leica’s making some pretty remarkably bold statements about its new S-system. The first device to take advantage is the 37-frickin’-megapixel S2, which sits between Canon’s EOS 5D and EOS 1Ds MkIII in terms of body size. The company designed the camera to provide “the quality of medium format and the handling and flexibility of 35mm,” and the outfit also has nine S-system lenses on tap. As for expectations? Leica says it’ll perform “twice as fast as Hasselblad H-series cameras,” and if that wasn’t straight-up enough, the firm’s David Bell proclaimed that “[Leica] thinks it has the best professional camera system in the world with this.”

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Whoa, Leica — what got into you of late? Introducing three new cameras at once just not good enough? Evidently not, as the outfit better known for its retro-styled snappers has just produced an all new high-def projector, the 7.5-pound Pradovit D-1200. Taking a hint from projectiondesign’s, um, design cues, this DLP beamer boasts a native 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, 1,400 ANSI lumens, a 2,500:1 contrast ratio and a VARIO-ELMARIT-P f/2.8-3.1/33-42 mm high-speed lens. You’ll also find a 220-watt FusionPlus VIDI UHP lamp from Philips which is said to be good for around 3,000 hours, and as for ports, there’s component, HDMI 1.3, DVI, composite, S-Video, VGA and Ethernet jacks. Mum’s the word on a price, but it’ll be available for those with thick wallets this November.

[Via LetsGoDigital]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

We’ll be straight with you — we’re still struggling to wade through Google’s machine translation of a few Polish releases, but the long of short of it is that Leica has finally announced the long-expected M8.2, D-LUX 4 and C-LUX 3. All the good stuff (pricing, ship dates, availability regions, etc.) seems to be missing, but the Leica faithful won’t mind paying a translator to figure out what the links below really mean.

Read - D-LUX 4 and C-LUX 3
Read - M8.2

[Thanks, Peer]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

No doubt, we liked Samsung’s 10 megapixel NV24HD camera with 720p video. But we loves us some Panasonic DMC-FX500. It shoots 720p video and 10 megapixel stills just like its Korean competitor only with a 5x, 25-mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens instead of the 24-mm 3.6x zoomer found on the Sammy. Oh, and it brings a bigger 3.0-inch touchscreen too. With the unit already making its way out the door in the US for about $400, we’re just waiting to hear about the image quality before grabbing one for ourselves. Reviews please, somebody… Bueller? Video hands-on after the break.

Continue reading Video: Hands-on Panasonic’s DMC-FX500 with 3-inch touchscreen and 720p video

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Without any definitive rhyme nor reason, it appears that Leica’s CEO, Steven K. Lee, has been “removed from power by the company’s supervisory board.” Reportedly, Mr. Lee has been replaced by the firm’s owner and board chairman Andreas Kaufman, who will run the company jointly with board financial controller and treasurer, Andreas Lobejäger, until later this month. Interestingly, we’re not told who will pick up the reins permanently after that — nor exactly why the decision was made — but we suppose it’s only a matter of hours before we find out.

[Via 1001 Noisy Cameras]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Over a year after Leica rolled out its action plan to address those buggy M8s fresh off the factory floor, the digicam company is announcing yet another upgrade path, but this time it’s not on the house. Apparently, M8 owners that fall deeply in love with their shooter can get their name on a “waiting list,” and once their number is called, they get the privilege of shipping their device to Germany where a number of tweaks can be made. Reportedly, each M8 is suitable for upgrading, and aside from getting sent back with a fresh two-year warranty, it can also be fitted with a scratch-resistant LCD monitor cover (um, riveting?) and a new “electronically-controlled metal-blade slotted shutter that offers less noise and vibration.” Unfortunately, these changes will supposedly set one back €1,200 ($1,775), but alas, Leica suggests that said payment will make the M8 a “lifetime investment.” Right, just like that $9,000 desktop you procured in 1996.

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