The Latest Leica Rumours
- The Magazine For Photographers
- 3 hours ago
- 1 min read
Leica seems to be working on another camera, and early signs point to something a bit more approachable in the SL lineup. A model with the internal designation 3403 has shown up in an Indonesian certification database. The filing confirms it is a digital camera made in Germany, but beyond that, Leica is not giving anything away yet.
What makes it particularly interesting is how different that number is from Leica’s recent releases. Cameras like the M EV1 and Q3 Monochrom use completely different internal codes, so “3403” feels like it belongs to something completely new. Current rumours point toward a more affordable SL camera, possibly using a 44-megapixel sensor and sitting below the 60-megapixel SL3. If that turns out to be accurate, it would make the SL system easier to get into for photographers who like the SL design and handling but do not necessarily need the highest resolution Leica offers.
All of this is happening while Leica has a lot going on behind the scenes. Earlier this year, Andreas Kaufmann confirmed that Leica has been developing its own image sensor again, with the first in-house chip expected to appear in the M12 around 2027. At the same time, Bloomberg reported that Blackstone and Kaufmann are considering selling a controlling stake in the company, with interest from investment groups like HSG and Altor and a valuation of around one billion euros. Let’s see what the future holds!
