Does Leica really need a full frame sensor?

[Olsen]

I would suggest the PC CPU Chip is a more accurate barometer of where CMOS sensors are going. I'd expect each generation to be twice the number of Pixels at roughly the same cost every 18 months or so. I'm sure we'll see $1,000 FF DSLRs fairly quickly, like maybe by 2010 or so. At that point, maybe someone can make a $1,500 FF DRF.

So far, the cost of silicon sensors have quadrupled in price with size; twice as big, four times as expensive. Further; while the price (in dollars) has dropped on memory, the sensor price has rizen, - because of the falling dollar. So, don't reckon with any deep price fall on silicon sensors anytime soon. My gueess is that the sensors won't fall in price before new technology arrives on the scene.

Nano technology...? I don't know, but something in that line.

'Price' is also an aspect of a FF-M. What would such an animal cost..? A 1Ds II or III costs 8,000 $. A FF-M with a volume of, say, 20 - 30.000 units, must be far more expensive than a 1Ds II (200.000 units) or a 5D (650.000 units). Quite obviously, it will be impossible to make a FF-M for less than 10,000 $ - Most likely, the price would have to be closer to 20,000 $. - If it is at all technically possible to make a FF-M. It most likely isn't. For the time being.

So...

It will be much cheaper for us all if Leica would make some 'fast wides' for the M8 crop 1,33 - as mentioned by many, instead.