Camera rumors in 2024: what cameras are coming, officially and otherwise! (2024)

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Leica rumors 2024

The year started with a bang, thanks to the much-leaked launch of the Leica SL3. This followed a suitably stylish year in 2023, between the launch of the Leica Q3, the Leica M11 Monochrom and the new silver version of the Leica SL2.

It's also been busy in the non-mirrorless world, celebrating the 60th anniversary of James Bond with the Leica D-Lux 007, re-entering the instant camera market after 7 years with the Leica Sofort 2 hybrid, and continuing its partnership to provide smartphone cameras for the Xiaomi 13T and 13T Pro.

So what else is in store for the most prestigious name in photography, aside from expectations of a new M11-P?

Leica M12

Another year, another M camera –but could this finally be the year that the M series goes all-electronic –and gets in-body image stabilization (IBIS), to boot? Leica has previously lamented that the M bodies are too small to implement IBIS, but later noted that omitting the mechanical shutter would free up the necessary space.

We've been hearing noise forever that an electronic viewfinder might be on the way to M cameras, too, so perhaps the Leica M12 could be the launchpad for a sweeping suite of changes.

There are also rumors that the M12 will be some 3mm smaller than the Leica M11, and that the screen could be almost an inch bigger –with chatter that this could be done to replace some or all of the physical buttons, as was the case with cameras like the Leica TL2.

According to FCC certification documents, the camera (or at least, a camera) was set to be announced on May 16. That obviously hasn't happened, though –and Leica's next camera is believed to be among those delayed by mysterious external circ*mstances.

Leica M11 Black Paint

Word is that we're about to get a Black Paint version of the Leica M11 –often seen as the last dance for an M camera before it is replaced by the next model.

These celebratory editions are often made from brass and, as the name suggests, are coated in gorgeous glossy black paint. This gives the camera a stunning vintage look when it's brand new, but also makes it more susceptible to wear –and as the paint wears, it produces the coveted patina "brassing" effect common to genuine vintage cameras.

However, it sounds special edition might be merged with the…

Leica M11-D

How do you create the most film camera-like experience on a digital camera? Fujifilm does it with film simulations and analog-like exposure controls, and on the Fujifilm X-Pro3 it even tried to hide the rear LCD screen.

However, the way Leica does it is to get rid of the LCD screen (and the evlectronic viewfinder) altogether, so you literally have a digital camera where you cannot "chimp" and check your images after you've taken them.

This is the "D" line of Leica M cameras, and I hear that we're getting a Leica M11-D very soon –though it apparently won't have the fake film advance lever, a step too far that was introduced on the Leica M10-D and wasn't terribly well received.

In any case, the full Leica M11-D user manual has now leaked online –though rumors persist that the camera won't see the light of day until September, delayed from its original May slot, due to ongoing freezing issues with the base Leica M11.

Leica S4

Leica has discontinued its medium format DSLR, the Leica S3. It has long been dropping Easter eggs and teasers about going mirrorless for its next medium format camera, though, and a company exec recently all but spelled it out.

"For the moment, we are stopping S3, but I think there will be plans for a future S4," Cyril Thomas, CEO of Leica France, told Phototrend.

"When will it happen?It's not tomorrow, it's not in the near future.I don't think we will see this in 2024, I don't know about 2025, but I know that Leica has plans in terms of mirrorless cameras in the medium format."

The Leica verdict

We're looking forward to seeing Leica turn its hand to mirrorless medium format with the S4 –particularly with the strides that Fujifilm and Hasselbald have made in the arena. Other than that, expect more of the special edition cameras that Leica specializes in. After all, 2024 has some huge anniversaries: 60 years since Muhammad Ali's first world title win, 50 years of Snoopy and Dungeons & Dragons, 40 years of Transformers, 20 years of Peppa Pig and Facebook…

More camera rumors: Canon rumors • Nikon rumors • Sony rumors • Olympus rumors • Fuji rumors • Panasonic rumors • Sigma rumors • Hasselblad rumors • •GoPro rumors

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