Leica has officially announced that at the 40th Leitz Camera Auction on 11 June, the Leica 0 with serial number 105 has been sold for 14.4 million euros. This made the party the most expensive camera in the world.

Released in 1923, this camera is reportedly one of the first 35mm cameras in the world. Its former owner is Oscar Barnak, one of the inventors of modern compact cameras. A German optics engineer and mechanic used the camera for daily shots and his name was engraved on the camera body.

Previously, the title of the most expensive camera belonged to another prototype of the Leica 0 series with serial number 122, which sold for 2.4 million euros at the 32nd Leitz Camera Auction in 2018.

In the mid-1920s, about 20 Leica Series 0 cameras were made before Leitz Cameras (Leica) moved into small-scale production and made the 35mm format the new standard in photography. According to collectors, today there are about a dozen cameras. Leica has recently signed an agreement with Xiaomi and the first compatible smartphone will be launched in July this year. Source