In a recent podcast, Dr. Andreas Kaufmann (Chairman of the Supervisory Board and majority shareholder of Leica Camera AG) confirmed that Leica is again developing their own sensor, most likely for the next Leica M12 camera (Google translation):
Furthermore, as has already become somewhat known, we are also developing our own sensor again. […] Up until the M10, we had a sensor of European origin. It was manufactured by AMS in Graz, or rather, developed by their Dutch development office. And the foundry itself was in Grenoble, a French company. And then there was the transition with the M11 to Sony sensors. It’s no secret that they’re in there. At the same time, we started developing our own sensor again, in a more advanced version. I think we’ve made significant progress with that. We can’t say more at the moment.
You can listen to the related part of the podcast in German here:
Leica is developing its own camera sensor – again! Five years of development time, the M11 has been released in 2022. So I guess we will see a M12 and M EV2 around around 2027? 👀 @LeicaRumors pic.twitter.com/KFnCISO3oK
— Philipp NP (@botic) December 29, 2025
The full podcast can be found here. Here’s a summary of the podcast episode:
In this special episode, host Michel Birnbacher interviews Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Leica, discussing the past, present, and future of one of the world’s most iconic camera brands. The starting point is the major anniversary: 100 years of Leica cameras. Instead of celebrating only in Germany, the anniversary took place around the globe—from Dubai, New York, Wetzlar, Shanghai, to Tokyo. This reflects a clear statement: Leica has always been internationally oriented, with an export rate of around 90%, and sees itself as a global cultural brand in photography.
Another focus of the conversation is technological development. From the early digital steps with the M8 to the current M11 series, Leica consistently dares to innovate—without sacrificing tradition. Particularly exciting: the new variant with an electronic viewfinder. It expands the system with new applications, especially in terms of lenses and flexibility, without displacing the classic rangefinder world. Leica is deliberately opening a second system branch within the M family.
A major future topic is sensor development. While Leica has increasingly worked with external partners in recent years, the company is simultaneously pushing forward its own sensor projects again. There are also insights into the role of external partners and future in-house technologies.Another important area: smartphones. Leica does not see them as competition to cameras but as a logical part of the photography world. Smartphones are now the “always-with-you” camera and an entry point into serious photography. Collaborations—such as with Xiaomi—and software solutions like the Leica Lux app aim to improve the photography experience, image character, and creativity.
Beyond technology and strategy, the episode covers perception and markets. Interestingly: In Germany, discussions about Leica almost reflexively turn to prices, while in many international markets, the value, culture, and emotional significance are perceived much more strongly. Leica positions itself deliberately in a class where quality, durability, and photo culture count—not just features.
If you have any information on the rumored Leica M12, you can contact me anonymously here.
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