Leica’s 47.2MP Leitz Phone 2 has the “largest sensor ever” in any phone

Leica announced the Leitz Phone 2, a successor to Leitz phone 1 Launched in 2021. The new model has more than twice the resolution, which the company claims is the largest sensor in a smartphone ever.

As shown in Leica websiteThe Leitz Phone 2 features a 47.2MP Type 1 CMOS image sensor that works “in tandem” with a first-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 processor. The company says this combination allows it to activate different sensor modes depending on the scene and environment.

“The result is outstanding quality unmatched in the smartphone industry – even in low light or with high-resolution images captured in high-resolution mode,” says Leica. The camera uses special pixels to adjust the auto focus and enables extremely fast photography that delivers sharp images in almost any situation. Images can be saved in RAW or JPEG format.

The sensor features what Leica calls an “Octa PD-AF” (phase detection) system that is powered by artificial intelligence for target recognition. The result is what Leica promises is high-speed, high-precision autofocus.

The camera has a 19mm f/1.9 lens, which the company says allows it to take clear photos with high dynamic range and low noise. This camera features 6x digital zoom while the front camera has 8x digital zoom (this sensor is a 12.6MP camera with a 27mm f/2.3 lens).

“The Leitz Phone 2 bears the name of a visionary and founder of our company. It also pays tribute to the creative thinking and actions of his son, Ernst Leitz II, who revolutionized the world of photography in 1924 by introducing the first 35mm camera,” says Leica. “The Leitz Phone 2 shares this same proud legacy. It is based on the ability to innovate and imitate enduring values ​​that have persisted for over a century. The Leitz Phone 2 remains true to this philosophy and represents another high point among the many milestones of the Leica brand.”

As is generally the case with Leica-branded smartphones, the Leitz Phone 2 has access to “Leitz Looks” that mimic Leica M lenses and cameras, and the Leitz Phone 2 will also emit a shutter sound along with the camera user interface and quick settings similar to Leica cameras.

Specifically, the Leitz Phone 2 mimics the focal length and bokeh in the Summilux 28mm, Summilux 35mm, and Noctilux 50mm. It also features four-tone color and tonal filters that simulate the “deep tone” of Leica cameras. A full technical sheet of the camera can be found on the leica website.

Here are some typical photos taken with the Leitz Phone 2, taken by photographer Anju:

At the time of publication, the Leica Leitz Phone 2 was only available in Japan (as was the Leitz Phone 1). by SoftBank. It will be available for purchase on November 18 for 225,360 yen, or about $1,590.

Image credits: Ica