Gizmodo: s2

Leica's Tank-Like S2 Costs Almost As Much As a Tank

matt buchanan — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EDT

Leica's finally got a price for its 37-megapixel monster S2, with its massive 30x45mm sensor: $26,000. That's body only. A spare battery charger will cost you another $425. Yours, you rich guy you, in October. [DPReview via Wired]

Leica's S2 Is What You Get When You Crossbreed a Tank With a 37-Megapixel Pro Camera

matt buchanan — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:47:30 EST

Sorry to already shatter your expectations. An exception to the mostly mainstream camera gear we're scoping today is this working prototype of Leica's super-high-end S2 DSLR, a spartan tank of a 37-megapixel camera.

It's heavy, like a piece of war equipment, and feels like its built to withstand aerial bombardment—though it's supposedly a bit lighter than Canon's pro camera 1Ds Mark III. Its sensor size is not quite medium format, but it falls in that range—way bigger than the 35mm-size full-frame pro cameras like the 1Ds or Nikon's D3. It's for studio pros who need massive sensors and megapixels, and will have an accordingly ridiculous pro price.

What I love about it is the interface and design—the back is absolutely barren compared to most cameras, with just a dial, a switch and four buttons for its quadrant-style menu system. Each button dives into a single section, where you adjust the relevant settings. Another neat touch is the focusing setup. Hold the shutter down halfway as usual to auto-focus, but if you want to switch manual, you don't have to slide a toggle—just turn the focus ring.

It's coming out later this summer for a pro photographer or super-rich guy near you. But it's always nice to window shop, yeah?

PMA is an annual show where we get to see tomorrow's digital cameras—the ones that'll be populating pockets and purses for the rest of the year. We'll be here for the next couple of days.

Leica Leaks Out New High-End S System With 37MP, Almost-Medium-Format S2 DSLR

John Mahoney — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:20:00 EDT

Leica's been busy lately, on the fetishistic high-end as always; their ultra-fast f/0.95 Noctilux lens wowed us a few weeks back, the new M8.2 digital rangefinder and C-Lux and D-Lux compacts also hit, and now they've expanded their digital range to include the S-series ultra high-res DSLR. Aimed at studio pros who would have been medium-format shooters in the film world (advertising, fashion, etc), the S2's specs as leaked in this page from Professional Photographer magazine are characteristically audacious for Leica.

The S2 will feature a brand new 30x45mm sensor, which sits comfortably between a full-frame 35mm sensor and true medium format (as found in digital backs like Phase One's crazy 65MP P65+). But unlike other massive quasi-medium format cameras, the S2 will have a more compact DSLR form factor similar to Leica's R-series. Nine new Leica lenses will also round out the system. No price, but you know, crazy expensive as always. [Professional Photographer scan on Flickr]

The Shiniest Pebble: Samsung's S2 MP3 Player

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:38:46 EDT

On paper, the Samsung YP-S2 is just another shuffle-beater, a 1GB player for $39. But in person, it's the most stylish of its class, in five colors, including those below and a white with faux marble grain. (Sadly Samsung didn't have that one on hand.) It charges via a removable USB dongle that plugs right into the 35mm headphone jack, saving space—just don't lose the extra piece. It's not fully see-through, like Sony's similar OLED-screen MP3 players, but it does have a glowing multicolored LED that is supposed to indicate status. As you can see in the gallery, it's not totally fingerprint-proof, but $39 doesn't guarantee perfection. [Samsung]

Sony S2 Sports Walkman Player: Changes Songs to Match Your Running Tempo

Brian Lam — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 14:47:45 EDT

Recall that Sony S2 Sports Walkman we wrote about 3 weeks ago, you know, the shiny one that's good for running? Well it turns out the S2 will use an internal "G-Sensor" to automatically switch to songs that match your running tempo and acceleration. They call it, "Music Pace." And, the player can be shaken, like a polaroid picture, to go into shuffle-mode. Like we said before, it'll have an FM radio, and will be sold in two versions, the silver-colored 1GB NW-S203F ($120) and the black-colored 2GB NW-S205F ($150). I personally miss the day-glow yellow finish on the old Sony Sport Walkman.– Brian Lam

NW-S203F (1GB) [Amazon, via ATRACLife]

NW-S205F (2GB)