Leica has unveiled a new mirrorless, interchangeable-lens camera system, launching the T-system with a new camera body and two T-mount lenses. While the new Leica T (Typ 701) camera has the high-quality finishes and solidity you expect from the renowned German manufacturer, its touchscreen interface and minimalist design make it a camera for the modern photographer, albeit one with deep pockets.
In Leica's 100th year, the camera maker, in partnership with Audi Design, has packed plenty of traditional German design features into their new offering.
These are immediately apparent in its body, which eschews a separate camera chassis in favour of a shell. This is made from a block of aluminum carefully machined at Leica's factory in Wetzlar, Germany, before it is hand sanded and polished. Together with five controls on its top plate – shutter button, video record button, power switch and two unmarked control dials – it is exquisite to hold and operate.
This level of craftsmanship and fine detail comes at a cost, though. The price of the body alone is $2300.
Two lenses are initially available for the Leica T: the 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom (27-84mm equivalent) and the 23mm f/2 prime which has a focal length equivalent to 35mm in full-frame format. These cost $2300 and $2500 respectively, making the Leica T an expensive offering even if you decide to purchase just one lens.
The rear of the Leica T has a button-free touchscreen display, providing a clear and simple operating concept. The main exposure settings are controlled by two top-plate dials but virtually everything else, including menus, setting and playback, is operated from the touchscreen.
The Leica T is the first camera from the German company to feature an integrated Wi-Fi module. Pictures and videos can be wirelessly transmitted from the camera to a smartphone, tablet or computer, and can then be shared by email or social media. A free app for iOS devices is also available, which allows remote camera operation and wireless image transfers.
The camera houses a 16-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and can record 1920 x 1080 Full HD movie recording at 30 frames per second.
There are plenty of optional accessories available for the system including a high-resolution electronic viewfinder with an integrated GPS, a flash unit that has an adjustable flash reflector angle and an adapter – Leica M-Adapter T – which enables the mounting of Lecia M lenses with support for exposure metering, aperture priority and manual settings.
A range of bags, cases, leather holster, leather protector and system bag come courtesy of Audi Design. And true to the sleek and uncluttered design concept of the camera, protruding strap lugs have been omitted.
If you're wondering why the Leica T costs so much more than other cameras, here's one of the reasons. The 45-minute video shows a Leica engineer hand-sanding and polishing the aluminium body of a new Leica T.