Traditional German group Leica is facing a record year

The German camera specialist Leica is expecting record results in the current financial year. "Last year was the best for 100 years, the year before that was the second best, and this year will be the very best given the circumstances," said Leica boss Matthias Harsch in an interview with WELT AM SONNTAG.

Leica sells cameras – now mainly digital devices – at high prices. "Everything that comes close to the performance of a mobile phone in terms of camera technology is disappearing from the market," said Harsch.

That's where the high volumes used to be. "But in the price range for cameras over 3000 euros, where the clipper is also materially different from the photographer, there is considerable growth."

The company also designs camera modules for smartphones, working with partners. A cooperation with Huawei has now been discontinued and has been replaced by a cooperation with the Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi.

But Leica's ambitions go further. "All in all, we want more than just a joint development of the camera module, where the partner takes the lead," said Harsch. "Our goal is the digital lens with everything that goes with it."

Compared to WELT AM SONNTAG, the Leica boss did not want to rule out the possibility that Leica could also build its own smartphone.