Leica T First Look And Hands On

Earlier today Leica announced a new line of cameras (and lenses) called Leica T. This is the first entry of Leica into the mirorless realm.

The Leica T is almost completely controlled by touch (there are two dials at the top but otherwise everything is controlled via the large 3.7 inch touchscreen on the back). The camera is made of a single aluminum part and will come in both anodized black or natural aluminum finish.

Some of the main specs of the Leica T:

Sensor: 16MP APS-C CMOS.
ISO range: 100-12500.
LCD: 3.7″ 1.3M dot 16:9 touchscreen.
Continuous shooting speed: 5 fps.
Video: 1080p @ 30 fps; with built-in stereo microphones.
WIFI + a new app.
Optional 2.36M dot EVF with built-in GPS.
Built-in 16GB memory (SD card slot as well).
The camera has a new fully electronic ‘T mount’ and 2 lenses are available with it at launch: 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 and 23mm f/2. Two other lenses (11-23mm f/3.5-4.5 and 55-135mm f/3.5-4.5) will be announced later this year.
CIPA: 400 shots.
Price and availability: $1900 body with availability in late May 2014 (lenses will cost $1700 for the 18-56mm and $1900 for the 23mm, the EVF will cost $600).

An introduction to the Leica T with Sean Cranor, CEO of Camera West

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IamKvZzIMf0[/youtube]

Andreas Jürgensen more in-depth review of the Leica T (with many image samples)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9xV90KxlLM#t=123[/youtube]

If yo are wondering why this camera is (relatively) so expensive – the following video will show you what Leica is spending in creating each Leica T (manufactured in its new Germany manufacturing plant).

A full 42 min video showing the manufacturing process of the camera – only if you are really patient

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/92073118[/vimeo]

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Iddo Genuth

Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.