bensyverson
Well-known
Here's my guess...
First of all, this product will not be named the "Mini M." I believe they're using that placeholder name to get us excited. Just look at the marketing graphic: Leica M, Mini M, Micro M, Nano M—only the first one is a real product name. The other names describe how they relate to the flagship.
Second, they placed it between the M and the X2, which means this will be more expensive and more capable than the X2. So it won't be a warmed over Micro 4/3 camera or an X2 with a zoom. "Rumors" (advance leaks to people like Steve Huff) state that it will be made in Germany, so certainly not a Panasonic or Fuji rebrand.
Like all "system" camera makers, Leica has more potential to make money from lenses than bodies, so as I see it there are three possibilities:
1) Create a brand new fast autofocus system, with new full-frame AF lenses, and promote it as the next generation of the M system. The "M-A" camera would have an EVF, and could mount legacy M glass using an adapter. Thanks to AF, it would pull customers away from Fuji, Canon, Nikon... Even Leica fans would want to buy in and get new lenses. The M (240) would of course remain the flagship.
2) Create an APS-C camera with an M mount and EVF. Basically a Fuji X with an M mount.
3) Create a full frame M with EVF instead of RF. Taking out the RF would simplify the product and reduce parts and assembly costs dramatically. At $4000, they could attract a lot of new users who will all need lenses.
Option #1 is not likely because it takes the M and makes it MORE complex. They'd also be competing with autofocus cameras from much larger companies with better resources.
Option #2 is not likely because the Fuji and NEX systems already do this well, and none of those users are likely to pay a $3000 just to mount M lenses.
Option #3 is more likely because it takes the M and makes it LESS complex. It's basically an M-E or M 240 without the expensive precision RF. Compared with the price of the RX1 or 5D Mark III, $4000 is not even much of a Leica tax. I think they'd sell a ton of these.
So that's my guess... just take the RF out of the M. Simple. They haven't had the technology to do live view focusing until the 240, or I bet they would have done this sooner.
First of all, this product will not be named the "Mini M." I believe they're using that placeholder name to get us excited. Just look at the marketing graphic: Leica M, Mini M, Micro M, Nano M—only the first one is a real product name. The other names describe how they relate to the flagship.
Second, they placed it between the M and the X2, which means this will be more expensive and more capable than the X2. So it won't be a warmed over Micro 4/3 camera or an X2 with a zoom. "Rumors" (advance leaks to people like Steve Huff) state that it will be made in Germany, so certainly not a Panasonic or Fuji rebrand.
Like all "system" camera makers, Leica has more potential to make money from lenses than bodies, so as I see it there are three possibilities:
1) Create a brand new fast autofocus system, with new full-frame AF lenses, and promote it as the next generation of the M system. The "M-A" camera would have an EVF, and could mount legacy M glass using an adapter. Thanks to AF, it would pull customers away from Fuji, Canon, Nikon... Even Leica fans would want to buy in and get new lenses. The M (240) would of course remain the flagship.
2) Create an APS-C camera with an M mount and EVF. Basically a Fuji X with an M mount.
3) Create a full frame M with EVF instead of RF. Taking out the RF would simplify the product and reduce parts and assembly costs dramatically. At $4000, they could attract a lot of new users who will all need lenses.
Option #1 is not likely because it takes the M and makes it MORE complex. They'd also be competing with autofocus cameras from much larger companies with better resources.
Option #2 is not likely because the Fuji and NEX systems already do this well, and none of those users are likely to pay a $3000 just to mount M lenses.
Option #3 is more likely because it takes the M and makes it LESS complex. It's basically an M-E or M 240 without the expensive precision RF. Compared with the price of the RX1 or 5D Mark III, $4000 is not even much of a Leica tax. I think they'd sell a ton of these.
So that's my guess... just take the RF out of the M. Simple. They haven't had the technology to do live view focusing until the 240, or I bet they would have done this sooner.
