The new Leica M9, shown in black.

Leica pulled the trigger on two major camera announcements this morning—the 18-megapixel M9, a digital rangefinder camera which uses a full-frame sensor; and the 12MP X1, a compact camera with an APS-C-sized sensor and fixed 24mm f/2.8 lens. Leica unveiled the new cameras at several simultaneous press conferences around the world this morning including one at New York City's Time Warner Center.

Leica also once again showed off its 37.5MP S2, a digital SLR-style camera which uses a 30 x 45mm CCD Kodak sensor that puts it on the low-end—in terms of size—of the medium-format digital market.

Along with the top Leica brass, the press conference featured a surprise appearance by pop singer Seal who is a devoted Leica camera user. Seal had been surreptitiously testing out the M9 for several months before its launch today.

"I can't tell you how difficult it's been keeping this secret for the last several months," Seal said. "This is the camera (M9) that we've wanted. Finally, a full frame."

Leica CEO Rudi Spiller rewarded Seal's support by presenting him with an S2 at the conclusion of the press conference, a move that brought an audible groan from some of the journalists in the audience.

The Leica M9 will be begin selling this week for $6,995, body only. The Leica S2 is scheduled to begin shipping in October for $22,995 (body only). The Leica X1 will sell for $1,995, beginning in early December.

Leica M9

"Full-frame" imaging sensors, once only found in high-end professional digital SLRs, have made their way into a compact rangefinder camera for the first time with the new M9 from Leica. The M9 uses an 18MP, 36 x 24mm CCD imaging sensor developed by Kodak with an individual pixel size of 6.8 microns. Those extra-large pixels should help improve the M9's low-light performance, especially when shooting at high ISOs. ISO range on this camera is 100-2500 with a special "pull 80" setting for optimal picture quality in bright light.

The M9 doesn't use any anti-aliasing (or "blur") filters to increase sharpness though the offset is a greater chance for noise. To counter this, Leica has put a completely new processor and firmware into the M9, with an algorithm taken from Leica's top-of-the-line S2 that's designed specifically to deal with noise.

"The M9 permits situations where a larger DSLR would stand out," said Stephan Daniel, director of Leica Product Management. "The M9 offers photographers excellent image quality, even in low light."

Other upgrades from its predecessor, the M8, include a quieter shutter that produces even less camera vibration. There's also a "soft release" function which helps when hand-holding long exposures. An exposure bracketing feature makes it easier to create HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos in Photoshop; while a slight redesign of the camera's buttons makes it quicker to adjust ISO.

Another important upgrade on the M9—no additional IR (infrared) filters are necessary to reduce the incidence of color casts and banding, an issue that affected some M8 cameras.
   
Meanwhile, the dimensions of the M9 are exactly the same as its predecessor, though weight is just slightly heavier because of the larger sensor. We had a chance to play with a prototype M9 several weeks ago and the look and feel of the new camera is almost exactly like the M8. It's available in a classic "black paint" look, or in "steel grey" duo-tone and is compatible with all Leica lenses since 1954.

Pictured: The M9 in steel grey

Leica X1

With the X1, Leica has introduced a whole new category of compact camera. Call it the "pocket Pro."

Using a 12MP APS-C (23.6 x 15.7mm) CMOS sensor in a camera small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the X1 is designed as the ultimate combination of portability and digital photo quality.

The camera features a fixed focal length 24mm f/2.8 lens which converts to 35mm based on the image sensor's magnification, or "crop" factor. The lens is similar to what was in the Leica D-Lux 4, featuring 8 lens elements in 6 different groups.

Though it slightly resembles the Leica M9, the X1 is shorter and two thirds as thick and has no built-in optical viewfinder, just "live view" on the camera's 2.7-inch, 230,000-pixel, TFT LCD screen. (An optical viewfinder that clips onto the hot shoe comes as an option.)

There's also a built-in pop-up flash that tucks away in the camera's body. Though it features several automatic functions, a speed dial on the X1 gives you complete manual control including aperture. There's also a wheel for manual focus control on back. ISO range is 100-3200. Unfortunately, those interested in this hot little camera are going to have to wait till December when it becomes available.

For more info, visit: www.leica-camera.us.