LEICA - Some values still are values
Leica has struggeled on the edge of the bankrupcy last few years. Then they turned around the company. Brought in digital cameras M8, M9, S2 and small Pana Lumix stepsisters. All top-level manufactured. It seems, that people see the value of precision mechanics, optics and quality manufacturing process. Leicas sales are up significantly. Cameras and lens up tio 140% (more than twice!). They hire more people to assembly lines and fight backlogs.
CEO of Leica Camera AG, Alfred Schopf:
“After the successful turnaround in the last fiscal year and the launch of new products in the last few months running the business for Leica more than positive. The Photokina in September 2010, we even brought record levels of new orders. We have set 30 new employees in production and are working flat out, the backlog as quickly as possible to reduce. But it is clear: quality over speed. “
Great news from Leica!
Pixel density issue
Camera MP/cm2
Nikon D3s 1,4
Leica M9 2,1
Leica X1 3,3
Nikon 7000 4,6
Lumix GF1 5,0
Nikon Coolpix S80 50,0
As We notice, there is race for the better resolution. I have to warn the world: Stop! Increasing resolution causes less pixel size. Fotond dont find it anymore and noise takes over. Best cameras have less pixel density.
Nasically there are 3 pixel density classes:
- Point and shoot 20-50 MP/cm2
- Prosumer APS-C DSLR and 4/3 format cam’s 3-5 MP/cm2
- Pro full frame and medium firmat 1-3 MP/cm2
So, go for biggest pixels, not highest resolution:
- better low-light performance
- better dynamics
- less noise
dpreview.com is excellent site to get info about pixel density of each and single model. Using micro-lenses may help a bit, but fundamentally You cant escape problems arising with higher densities.
