The medium format Leica S3 has reached the end of its life, but you might have to wait a while for the new Leica S4
(Image credit: Future)
It looks like Leica's medium format camera, the Leica S3, has hit end-of-life status.
There are many photographers wanting to make the jump from full frame to medium format, and Leica has long been one of the most sought-after brands. However, the German company might make newcomers to medium format wait a little while; it has been revealed by Japanese retailer @mapcamera on Twitter that the Leica S3 has reached the "end of production".
• Check out the best Leica cameras to see what else the brand has to offer
This is also confirmed by popular retailers in the US; B&H no longer lists the S3 for sale, while Adorama lists the camera as a "special order" item.
There may be an end in sight, though. While speaking at the Leica Society International talk in Dublin in 2022, Stefan Daniel, Leica's executive VP of technology and operations, hinted that a new mirrorless medium format camera is scheduled for production in 2025 (as reported by Leica Rumors).
(Image credit: Leica)
While we might have to wait for 2025 for this new style medium format camera from Leica, we believe that we have actually seen a mock-up of the said camera during the Leica M11 launch video, which showed an array of Leica prototypes in a line. Eagle-eyed viewers pointed out a camera that looked different from anything seen before.
As we can see in the still image above, there is a prototype that has a bigger mount than the normal L-mount – which would lend credence to the idea that it is an S-mount (medium format) camera from Leica. It's also apparent that the body is bigger, with a thicker grip to the left of the camera.
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While this is all we have to go on about the possible new camera, even Leica Rumors has stated that it has not heard a specific rumor about an S4. So maybe 2025 is the best timeline we have so far, but the real question is: what will the megapixel count be, and will it beat the 60MP of the Leica M11 or the Leica Q3?
For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.
He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association.
He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.
