Looks like no more Sony sensor on Leica camera in the future.
We have no information on whether the new sensors will be for the next generation of cameras or the one after that. It takes time to develop and bring to market a new sensor from scratch as claimed. Most commonly quoted as 3 to 5 years. This announcement is new, and the VP hired to lead the program only joined Leica a few Months ago. Leica may release another generation of cameras with the Sony sensors rather than wait that long. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Apr 20, 2026 at 05:38 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #3 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
Looks like no more Sony sensor on Leica camera in the future.
Well who knows what the future holds, but the next generation of sensors (but perhaps not cameras) for Leica seem likely to come out of this partnership. We don't know how far they are along in producing a sensor, however, nor do we know what sort of sensor they will make. It will be interesting to see what they develop.
p.1 #5 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
retrofocus wrote:
"Leica opted instead to team up with Gpixel, a Chinese image sensor company with offices globally, including in Europe, Japan, and the Americas."
I suspect price plays a big role here for Leica to manufacture even cheaper and sell higher.
Steve Spencer wrote:
Well who knows what the future holds, but the next generation of sensors (but perhaps not cameras) for Leica seem likely to come out of this partnership. We don't know how far they are along in producing a sensor, however, nor do we know what sort of sensor they will make. It will be interesting to see what they develop.
Actually, if the new version of the M/Q/SL cameras are released within the next year, I think it likely that it includes either the new version of of the Sony 67 mpx sensor which is now offered as "open to buy" technology for Sony, or a customized pre-existing Gpixel offering rather than a full custom designed Leica/Gpixel sensor resulting from this programing. The timing almost assures this. In either case we know that it will be some sort of CMOS based sensor as both possible sensor manufactures specialize in this type.
If it is the Sony design we know that Sony will FAB it. As far as I can tell gpixel doesn't have their own sensor fab. They do cooperate/partner closely with Tower Semiconductor (possibly as far as some level of cross equity?) so this may be the fab that will be used.
We also know that Tower was unable to bring to market the Nikon Z9/Z8 sensor despite a major effort to do so. The details of why remain cloudy.
Lots left to know.
Apr 20, 2026 at 08:17 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #6 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
1bwana1 wrote:
Actually, if the new version of the M/Q/SL cameras are released within the next year, I think it likely that it includes either the new version of of the Sony 67 mpx sensor which is now offered as "open to buy" technology for Sony, or a customized pre-existing Gpixel offering rather than a full custom designed Leica/Gpixel sensor resulting from this programing. The timing almost assures this. In either case we know that it will be some sort of CMOS based sensor as both possible sensor manufactures specialize in this type.
If it is the Sony design we know that Sony will FAB it. As far as I can tell gpixel doesn't have their own sensor fab. They do cooperate closely with Tower Semiconductor so this may be the fab that will be used.
We also know that Tower was unable to bring to market the Nikon Z9/Z8 sensor despite a major effort to do so.
Yeah, that follows unless this deal has been in the works for a few years and we are just hearing about it now because they are close to fabbing the sensor and they have someone to do that (again perhaps Tower as you suggest). For Leica who charges higher prices than Sony having a slightly different sensor makes sense and gives them a more unique camera as long as the sensor is in the ballpark of Sony sensors, which it may not be and will be the central question if Leica doesn't use Sony for the next generation M.
Gpixel might also be getting into the FAB business, which could make some sense. If the Chinese government supports the endeavor, then they could undercut Sony's prices and set up their FAB with the newest tech. Some competition for Sony in sensor FAB, likely from China, I think will happen in time and may well be good for the industry.
What exactly is going to happen, I don't think is very clear, but this cooperation does mean that Leica at least in the longer run if not for the next model seems to be going a different direction than they did with the M11 series. Sony will be out in the long run if not in the next model.
p.1 #7 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
Steve Spencer wrote:
Sony will be out in the long run if not in the next model.
Not a given. Many companies have tried to get out from under Sony. Some at great expense and reputational risk. I don't know of a success story yet. Historically it has gone the other way. The Leica/gpixel partnership must be a success to switch providers.
Apr 20, 2026 at 08:49 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #8 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
1bwana1 wrote:
Not a given. Many companies have tried to get out from under Sony. Some at great expense and reputational risk. I don't know of a success story yet. Historically it has gone the other way. The Leica/gpixel partnership must be a success to switch providers.
I guess I should have been more specific. If Sony isn't out in the next model of Leica M camera, then I think this announcement means they will be out in the generation after that. Now as we try to look beyond that it is of course murkier and who knows what Leica will do after that.
p.1 #9 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
Petapixel.com wrote:
"At the time, PetaPixel speculated about what this news actually meant. It is one thing to design an image sensor, and another thing altogether to fabricate and manufacture one. Leica has used off-the-shelf Sony image sensors for its M11-generation rangefinder cameras, which was a departure from the M10 series, during which Leica worked with AMS OSRAM to develop a 24-megapixel full-frame image sensor."
The M10's 24MP and 40MP sensors were actually based on custom designs from CMOSIS, the Belgian company that was later acquired by ams, which then merged with OSRAM. The manufacturing itself was done by STMicroelectronics in France, so it was really a European effort overall, instead of Leica directly working with ams OSRAM on the sensor.
With the M11 series, Leica took a different direction and moved to a Sony sensor, likely the IMX455 used in cameras like the Sony A7R IV, with Leica applying their own tuning on top of that.
Now, it based on the reports Leica has been working with Gpixel, a Chinese CMOS specialist, on next-generation sensor development. So in a way, the progression has moved from a European base with the M10, to Sony in Japan for the M11/Q3/SL3 series, and now toward a collaboration with Chinese Gpixel for the new M12.
If this move leads to something better is still to be seen, but I'm definitely curious about what the M12 sensor will bring. The fact that it's expected to be a new, custom design, not based on a sensor used across multiple brands, is what makes it especially exciting.
p.1 #10 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
I was not particularly impressed with the sensors and image quality in the Leica cameras before the M11and 3 series of SL cameras. This must be some sort of cost or strategic investment related move. I guess I'll be holding on to my current Leica cameras until they can prove they can offer something better than the Sony tech.
I can imagine that maybe some will argue a custom sensor can allow better Leica colors or improved micro lens arrays but I think this is a cop out when you look at how Nikon, Panasonic, and even Leica itself has been able to customize and differentiate the Sony sensor across their camera portfolios.
p.1 #11 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
Fred Miranda wrote:
The fact that it's expected to be a new, custom design, not based on a sensor used across multiple brands, is what makes it especially exciting.
Not exciting if Sony could have provided a more advanced sensor. Stepping backwaards in order to make a claim of unique or proprietary is not a valid step in my opinion.
p.1 #12 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
1bwana1 wrote:
Not exciting if Sony could have provided a more advanced sensor. Stepping backwaards in order to make a claim of unique or proprietary is not a valid step in my opinion.
Yes, I see your point. What makes it interesting to me is that we don't really know how it will turn out yet. Not everyone is looking for more resolution, some of us would actually prefer improvements in color output, sensor readout speed, or even better noise performance, which is already quite strong for stills.
It's all speculation at this stage, but maybe this opens the door to a more purpose-built sensor focused purely on photography, rather than trying to cover everything like video features and hybrid AF systems used in mirrorless cameras. Personally, I'd prefer a low-noise sensor in the 36-45MP range, with fast readout speed and excellent color output, but I honestly don't know what would make me upgrade from my M10-R at this point.
p.1 #13 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
Fred Miranda wrote:
Yes, I see your point. What makes it interesting to me is that we don't really know how it will turn out yet. Not everyone is looking for more resolution, some of us would actually prefer improvements in color output, sensor readout speed, or even better noise performance, which is already quite strong for stills.
It's all speculation at this stage, but maybe this opens the door to a more purpose-built sensor focused purely on photography, rather than trying to cover everything like video features and hybrid AF systems used in mirrorless cameras. Personally, I'd prefer a low-noise sensor in the 36-45MP range, with fast readout speed and excellent color output, but I honestly don't know what would make me upgrade from my M10-R at this point....Show more →
But Sony recently made available to all camera manufacturers a 67mpx, partially stacked sensor with fast readout, and increased dynamic range. The color output, the binning options of lower FF resolution, and other important things are generally the responsibility of the processor. So in order for Leica to justify doing it's own sensor it must equal or better this new Sony offering.
Sony has made some fundamental advances in imaging sensors recently that when they reach commercial production will greatly increase speed, dynamic range, and AF. Sony is building a huge new fabrication and research facility in Japan. Just the Japanese Government subsidy for this facility is over 380 million dollars. I just find it hard to beleive that a small company like Leica can keep pace with that scale of innovation and fabrication capacity.
p.1 #14 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
1bwana1 wrote:
But Sony recently made available to all camera manufacturers a 67mpx, partially stacked sensor with fast readout, and increased dynamic range. The color output, the binning options of lower FF resolution, and other important things are generally the responsibility of the processor. So in order for Leica to justify doing it's own sensor it must equal or better this new Sony offering.
Yes, Sony is already offering a lot of what I mentioned, like fast readout and strong DR, but that doesn't automatically translate into the same kind of tuning for color, noise, and the characteristics for stills many photographers actually care about. Personally, I would rather see progress there than just more resolution. Anyway, it's fun to speculate, we will see what Leica actually brings...
Apr 20, 2026 at 02:45 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #15 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
1bwana1 wrote:
But Sony recently made available to all camera manufacturers a 67mpx, partially stacked sensor with fast readout, and increased dynamic range. The color output, the binning options of lower FF resolution, and other important things are generally the responsibility of the processor. So in order for Leica to justify doing it's own sensor it must equal or better this new Sony offering.
Where has the dynamic range of this sensor actually been tested in a camera? I think Sony just reports the maximum dynamic range, but I would want to see DR for the full range of ISOs. We won't know sensor scan speed until it is actually in the camera as well. Even as a partially stacked sensor, sensor scan speed might only be 1/50th of a second. That would be a big improvement over the current M11 sensor, but still would produce motion distortion for quite a few things.
Generally, higher resolution, sensor scan speed, color depth, and high ISO performance need to be balanced. Leica might like to design that balance rather than let Sony do it. For example, they might prefer lower resolution, say 40MP as Fred suggests, which should increase sensor scan speed over a 67 MP sensor, but they might want to make sure color depth doesn't drop and that the dual gain has a big step at a higher ISO to maximize high ISO performance. They might also make the base ISO 200, which can aid in improving high ISO performance as well--at the cost of DR at lowest ISO.
Said, another way although I think the 67 MP sensor that Sony has made available would work well in a Leica M, it isn't too hard to imagine a different set of tradeoffs, that could result in a better sensor for most Leica M shooters, and a couple of sensors optimized to Leica M with different needs, that would be more up Leica's alley. For example, they could have a lower res, say 30 MP sensor with a base ISO of 200 and especially good high ISO performance for street shooters, and a 45 MP sensor with a base iSO of 100 and especially good low ISO performance with lots of protection of the highlights for people who want landscape capabilities. They could of course have monochrome versions of one or both of these sensors (it probably makes more sense to make a monochrome version of the 30 MP sensor, however). They might want a different sensor yet in the EV-2, with phase detect built into the sensor for focus aids. This all requires smaller batches of more differentiated sensors, which Sony might not be willing to do. Leica had something very similar to this division of sensors in the M10 series, but went away from it in the M11 series and only had the high MP cameras. I can see why Leica might prefer the multiple sensor options for the M12.
p.1 #16 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
For me, it’s going to have to have something more than a resolution or DR bump. There’s not a lot I can’t do with my M11 or SL3 now. Sure they could add a faster readout. Or they could achieve the same thing with EFCS in the current cameras. A stacked sensor makes more sense in the SL cameras than the M or the Q. Frankly without access to a fully stacked sensor I don’t see what they can do that’s going to compel an upgrade.
Mr Kauffman announced they were developing their own sensor several months ago. This is just the announcement of that partner. My guess is that they’ve been at this for a while and have agreed on a sensor architecture with gpixel and so now it’s time for the announcement. My best guess is that it’s simply for some differentiation from other Sony based brands. The Chinese will throw millions at this project and development will be rapid. I can’t see anything leapfrogging Sony in the short term though.
I’ll never say never. I know what I’m like. But my M11 and Sl3 are already doing everything and more that I need. Unless a Sony A1ii competitor appears out of the blue or they drop a Hasselblad competitor I’m Ok with what I have.
p.1 #17 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
1bwana1 wrote:
Not exciting if Sony could have provided a more advanced sensor. Stepping backwaards in order to make a claim of unique or proprietary is not a valid step in my opinion.
I can be wrong, but as I mentioned above in my post the main benefit for Leica is getting the future sensor cheaper. Technical reasons might be secondary. Sony sensors have the edge, but Sony asks bigger bucks for them. I think Leica is under pressure with new leadership to increase profits. One way to do it is to cut in the production/parts and sell the final product (camera) for the same (or even higher) price. I am carefully optimistic what this new sensor might bring. Not convinced that it will be matching Sony sensor performance.
p.1 #18 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
It makes a lot of sense for Leica to control the design and manufacturing of their sensors. The reliance on Sony for sensors makes their entire camera business dependent on Sony, which is huge going concern risk.
Will their new sensor be as advanced as the latest Sony models? Probably not, but I am not sure if Leica really needs the latest and greatest sensor performance for their market niche.
p.1 #19 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
On one hand, as others have mentioned, it's really exciting to see a new offering in camera sensors in the market.
On the other hand, judging from when was the last time Leica did something that is value adding for the consumer/photography world and not just marketing/cash grabbing, it also reads like a move that will help them "differentiate" and/or sell the story of the new best customized sensor so they can charge even more for less, as it was quite difficult to sell the Leica dream with the M11 with a sensor that was widely available in other cameras, a processor that was very slow and card readers that were from the previous decade
p.1 #20 · Leica Camera and Gpixel are jointly developing a next-generation image sensor
retrofocus wrote:
I think Leica is under pressure with new leadership to increase profits.
What new leadership? No sale of Blackstone's shares has taken place yet. As of a few weeks ago Dr Kaufmann personaly told me that the effort was "in process" status. However, the family would maintain their ownership and family members would remain in charge of various Leica divisions as they currently are.
