Leica weighs up potential €1 billion sale

Leica Camera AG, the storied German camera and optics manufacturer, is weighing a potential sale of a controlling stake that could value the company at around €1 billion, according to recent reporting by Bloomberg.

Leica is majority owned by Austrian investor Andreas Kaufmann, with U.S. private equity firm Blackstone holding a significant minority stake.

The talks are understood to involve advisers exploring strategic options, including a partial or full exit by existing shareholders, with discussions described as being at an early stage, with no guarantee a transaction will proceed.

Despite this, Bloomberg reported that several investment groups have shown interest in the business, including Swedish private equity firm Altor Equity Partners and HSG, formerly known as Sequoia Capital China. Any deal would mark a major shift in ownership for one of the photography industry’s most recognisable brands.

The potential valuation reflects Leica’s strong recent financial performance despite the broader contraction of the global camera market.

The company has reported revenue approaching €600 million in recent years, driven by continued demand for premium digital cameras such as the M and Q series, as well as growth in optics and branded collaborations.

Leica has also expanded beyond traditional cameras through partnerships in mobile imaging, most notably with smartphone manufacturers like Xiaomi, while continuing to position itself as a luxury brand built on craftsmanship and heritage.