Leica today announces the world’s first digital rangefinder camera with a full-frame 24 x 36mm sensor. As the world’s smallest full-frame system camera, the LEICA M9 continues the long heritage of the Leica rangefinder system, and unites more than 50 years of continuous technical improvements to the M System with cutting-edge digital technology. The 18 megapixel image sensor, specifically designed and developed for the M9, enables capture of the full 35-mm film format without any compromise. All M lenses mounted on the LEICA M9 therefore offer the same focal length as originally intended, and the enormous potential performance of the current M lens portfolio, with focal lengths from 16 to 135mm, is now fully exploited in an M digital camera for the very first time.

Furthermore, the M9 sensor features a newly developed glass sensor cover designed to guarantee the suppression of the infrared portion of the light spectrum, avoiding the need to mount special UV/IR filters. The successful combination of a high-resolution image sensor, the superior performance of Leica M lenses and sophisticated processing ensures the best imaging results, making the camera perfect for all fields of photography from reportage and ‘available light’ to the capture of discreet, spontaneous images.

At just 139 × 37 × 80mm, the LEICA M9 maintains the compact size of the LEICA M8, despite the considerably larger sensor. The robust, one-piece, full metal housing, made from a high-strength magnesium alloy, combined with a solid brass top and bottom plate, provide perfect protection for the camera in all photographic situations. For photographers, this all adds up to absolute reliability over decades of use.The LEICA M9 is available in two different styles: a standard black with ‘vulkanit’ finish, and for the first time, a version in steel-grey with classic leatherette finish. The LEICA M9 will be available in the UK from 9 September 2009 at a suggested retail price of £4,850 ($8030) inc VAT.

Via - [Fareastgizmos]