The Leica Camera Group has generated record sales again in the 2024/25 financial year. In 2025, the company has been celebrating the 100th anniversary of the launch of the Leica I. It can also reflect on its fourth consecutive record year of sales growth, achieving the highest revenue in its history, alongside continued growth in profitability.
The revenue generated by the premium optics manufacturer increased by 7.6% from April 2024 to the end of March 2025, to around €596 million (previous year: €554 million). This was driven largely by the core segment Photo and growth in the Mobile segment (smartphones).
Business in the areas of high-end home cinema projectors (Smart Projection), lifestyle accessories (Watches) and premium spectacle lenses (Eyecare) also developed substantially over the reporting period, enabling these segments to increase their contribution to the Group’s consolidated revenue.
The Sports Optics segment demonstrated resilience amid a challenging market environment and remained Leica’s second-largest business area, as in the previous year.
Strategic orientation
Leica Camera Group’s sustainable success is a result of its strong strategic orientation. To this end, the company is strengthening its business areas with products drawn from its core expertise in optics and mechanics, creating a distinctive user experience by leveraging its design and handling concepts.
Matthias Harsch, CEO of Leica Camera AG, says: “We are meeting the global growth in demand for cameras with high-quality products ‘Made in Germany’. Over the past financial year, we have launched both new classic camera models and novel products, such as the Leica LUX app and the Leica Cine Play 1 mini-projector. Our business success is rooted in innovation and the expansion of our own global sales network.”
Growth in all regions
Leica Camera Group was able to increase revenues across all regions during the 2024/25 financial year. Gains were the strongest in Europe at 7.6%, which can be ascribed in particular to strong growth in Germany (+11.4%). Sales in Asia (+7.3%) and North America (+6.2%) also developed well. The Group expanded its global sales network and its position in strategic markets by opening new Leica Stores, including in China (Wuhan), Japan (Tokyo) and South Korea (Seoul).
Online business also contributed to the Group’s growth by increasing 12.5%. Leica will continue to expand its retail store network, and has positioned itself strongly through its multichannel model and the integration of bricks-and-mortar stores, auctions, and e-commerce.
New products in Photo segment
Over the past financial year, Leica Camera introduced several new cameras, which have contributed to the growth in sales. Leica Camera is one of the few companies still producing analogue cameras. The Leica Q3 was the biggest seller among the company’s digital cameras. This compact full-frame camera has been available with 43mm fixed focal length since September 2024.
The full-frame system cameras Leica SL3 and SL3-S were also in high demand. A small compact camera was added to the range in the form of the Leica D-Lux 8. For the M-System, Leica launched the M11-D, a variant of the iconic full-frame digital camera that dispenses with a digital display.
New business areas
In the Sports Optics segment, Leica has begun addressing new target groups outside the traditional areas of hunting and field observation. Leica Ultravid Compact Colorline binoculars are tailored to adventure seekers, city explorers and nature lovers. At the same time, Leica is working to digitalise its sports optics portfolio, for example, with infrared cameras and distance measurement.
In the Mobile segment, the strategic partnership with Xiaomi in the field of mobile imaging has continued to develop positively. The companies together presented the Xiaomi 14T series with Leica optics in September 2024 and the Xiaomi 15 series in March 2025 with new Leica Summilux lenses providing more depth and expression.
In June 2024, Leica expanded its digital ecosystem by launching Leica LUX, a professional photo app for the iPhone, which has become a resounding success with over one million downloads. The Leica LUX grip followed in February 2025. This camera grip, with shutter button and zoom function, is designed to replicate the handling and feel of a classic Leica camera.
In the Smart Projection business area, Leica expanded its home cinema range in November 2024 by introducing the Cine Play 1, a mini-projector for private cinema experiences at home and outdoors. In the Accessories segment, Leica’s watch collection saw the addition of the Leica ZM 12 in February 2025.
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I am delighted to hear that Leica is doing great. They have enhanced my joy in photography for many decades. Many incompetent reviewers love bashing Leica as a over priced under featured camera system for wealthy people but they are not discerning in timeless amazing image quality, ultimate craftsmanship, ultimate haptics, amazing resale value retention, joy of photography.
I was thinking – we often vacation in Japan. Business class tickets to Tokyo run about US$7000, a cost less than a good used Q2, M11, etc. Close to that of a new Q3.
And those cameras will be with me decades after I’ve forgotten a few weeks in Japan. By comparison, spending money on a Leica doesn’t seem extravagant.
Now, if I can convince my spouse ….
And don’t forget that you can sell the Leica for a good bit of cash. No one will give you 45% back on an old boarding pass.
I’ve just returned from China and I could have bought an SL3 instead. Of course, when you get the Leica you need something to point it at. That’s where exotic destinations come into play.
You guys are so funny.
I don’t know, I’d pick a shiny new Summilux over a business class ticket every time. Kathy’s partner, search inside your soul. You know what’s right. My precioussss.
That said, to Mike’s point, if it came down to learning a language and traveling vs a new lens, I’d be traveling. We’d never have enough toys anyway, and what’s the point of a Leica if you don’t go places with it?
The ideal answer is to have both, Summilux and premium ticket. That said, I suspect the buyer of an M11-P and lens costing up to $20,000 isn’t someone who will spend 14 hours in an Economy seat. I suppose, as they say, “you pays your money and you takes your choice”.