News: M9: World’s Smallest Full-Frame Camera

After more than 50 years designing and manufacturing cameras, Leica notched up another record, with the release of the M9, the world’s first, and smallest, digital rangefinder with a full-format sensor.

With a release date reading 09/09/09, the M9 looks identical to Leica’s from time immemorial, but sports a brand-new 18-megapixel, 24 X 36mm sensor, developed by Kodak. It also uses a rangefinder focusing system, which while unfamiliar to many users, is both fast and sharp.

A strong draw for the new camera is that like most other Leica’s, the M9 will remain compatible with almost every M lens developed since 1954. In a firm step into the 21st century, however, modern technology allows the M9 to correct optical aberrations and vignetting automatically.

The sensor was designed with a glass cover, which suppresses the infrared portion of the light spectrum, meaning photographers don’t need any special UV or IR filters. Every model also comes complete with a copy of the latest version of Adobe Lightroom for processing image files.

The camera will of course be offered in Leica’s signature black metal casing, although for the first time, the M-series model will be for sale in steel grey.