£15,996! ($26,000)

Press Release (UK):

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 Leica S2 Black £15,996

Leica S2-P Black * £19,092

SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/70 ASPH £3,096

SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/70 ASPH CS £4,025

APO-TELE-ELMAR-S 1:3.5/180 £4,541

APO-TELE-ELMAR-S 1:3.5/180 CS £5,160

APO-MACRO-SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/120 £4,541

APO-MACRO-SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/120 CS £5,160

SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/35 ASPH £3,612

SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/35 ASPH CS £4,231

Multifunction handgrip S £851

Professional battery charger S £258

* 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