Gadgets News : Leica reveal S-system pricing and launch date

Leica has said its S2 autofocus medium format DSLR will be available in October for a recommended selling price of $22,995/£15,996. The camera is built around a 37.5 megapixel 30x45mm sensor (56% larger than 'full frame'), that puts it squarely into the apparently troubled medium format sector. Customers willing to spend an extra $5,000/£3,096 will receive an S2-P featuring a sapphire glass monitor screen and 'Platinum Service' support package. The company has also revealed the prices of the first four S-series lenses, announced alongside the camera at the Photokina 2008 exhibition in Germany.

Release of Leica S-System prices and launch date

Leica has published the suggested retail prices for its new Leica S-System and confirmed October 2009 as the first month for UK availability. The S-System, which sits at the very top end of the digital photography spectrum, will be offered at a very competitive starting price of £15,996 (SRP, body only).

The Leica S-System has been well documented since its launch at Photokina in 2008, and now the release of pricing and availability information brings the world’s high end photo community another important step closer to one of the most significant photo developments in the digital era.

Leica has also confirmed that it will be marketing a series of specialised camera and lens user support/service packages for the S-System and further details will be released soon.

Jon Sareen, UK commercial manager, Leica S-System, commented, “The eagerly-anticipated Leica S-System is a very new and different challenge for Leica Camera Ltd, in comparison to other products in our range. We have engaged new experts, and arrangements regarding leasing and rental facilities are well under way. Service and support will be very hot topics for Leica S-System users, and we can confirm that we are planning a rapid third party UK solution, to work in conjunction with our head office in Germany.”

First announced in September last year, the Leica S-System redefines the professional DSLR class with a custom 37.5-megapixel, 30 x 45 mm sensor built into a 35mm-sized body.

Leica S-System 2009 range pricing details

Product	US Price	UK Price
Leica S2 Black	$22,995	£15,996
Leica S2-P Black *	$27,995	£19,092
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/70 ASPH	$4,495	£3,096
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/70 ASPH CS	$5,995	£4,025
APO-TELE-ELMAR-S 1:3.5/180	$6,495	£4,541
APO-TELE-ELMAR-S 1:3.5/180 CS	$7,495	£5,160
APO-MACRO-SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/120	$6,495	£4,541
APO-MACRO-SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/120 CS	$7,495	£5,160
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/35 ASPH	$5,295	£3,612
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/35 ASPH CS	$5,995	£4,231
Multifunction handgrip S	$1,295	£851
Professional battery charger S	$399	£258
S-Body Premium Service	$1,495	TBD
S-Body Platinum Service	$3,795	TBD
S-Lens Premium Service	$495	TBD
S-Lens Platinum Service	$995	TBD

* Includes Sapphire Glass monitor screen and S-Body Platinum Service (more details to follow)
CS = Central Shutter Lens
Prices include VAT at 15%, 30 July 2009