New Leica T-System Officially Announced

It is official! Leica has announced their new Leica T-System camera which is available for pre-order at B&H right now! The camera really does have a lot of nice features that are packed into it and Leica seems to be pushing the phrase "easy to use, hard to forget" on their website. We are glad to finally get a look at "official" specifications even though we had a nice glimpse yesterday when they accidentally revealed it.

The press release we have been given shows a good amount of information for the specs we can expect to see in this camera. Wi-Fi, new user interface, Lightroom compatible, and even talk about a professional digital workflow solution for Apple Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. Currently, you can pre-order the silver or black version of this camera for only $1,850 (body only)! Honestly, I wouldn't mind having this in my bag for that price point. I'm sure we may see some other people disagree though. Take a look at the press release and let us know what you think!

Los Angeles, California - April 24th, 2014 -- Leica Camera continues to celebrate its journey into the future with the launch of the radically new yet brilliantly familiar Leica T-System. The Leica-T was designed with dynamic simplicity in collaboration with AUDI Design and it is the fourth system ever to be released from Leica. The Leica T-System features Wi-Fi, a rebuilt graphical user interface (GUI), Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®, a professional digital workflow solution for Apple Mac® OS X and Microsoft Windows®.

Leica has been praised for a century for its precise engineering while understanding the importance of design. As a result, Leica has created tools that are the perfect balance of purpose and emotion. At the heart of this praise is the collaboration with AUDI design and the creation of the Leica T-Unibody. The Unibody was painstakingly made by hand and machined from a single, solid block of aluminum, with a sleek and tactile finish. The new body is a natural extension of the user’s hand and photographic vision allowing complete focus on crafting the perfect image. Using the integrated Wi-Fi module these images can be wirelessly transmitted to smartphones, tablets, and various social media platforms via the new Leica-T app which is available for iOS devices. Leica customers can also download image processing software, Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®, free after registering their camera on the Leica website. The digital image processing software offers a comprehensive range of functions for the management, processing, and presentation of pictures and video. Leica has also collaborated with AUDI Design to create new and unique accessories. These accessories include bags and cases available in yellow, orange-red, black and white. The bags, cases, and straps were designed using the new, innovative Easy-Click system. Easy-Click was designed to effortlessly connect the user’s straps to their bags and cases. Two new lenses are being introduced that will accompany the Leica T-System launch: the Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18-56 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH and the Leica Summicron-T 23 mm f/2 ASPH. The Leica Vario-Elmar is ideal for creative innovators who want true versatility in their photography allowing them to seamlessly shoot landscapes, portraits, and other limitless forms of creative outlets. The Leica Summicron-T 23 mmf/2 ASPH which equates to the traditional reportage focal length of 50mm gives the user everything they need to capture all the decisive moments. The Leica M-Adapter T expands the lens selections to include all Leica M-Lenses produced after 1954.

The Leica T features a large high performance, APS-C-format CMOS image sensor with over 16.5 megapixels (effective 16.2 MP) that is the perfect combination of performance and image quality. The MyCamera menu can be customized to the user’s preferences allowing easier access to all their frequently used settings. The system also includes a high-resolution electronic viewfinder with an integrated GPS feature and tilt and swivel function allowing angles to be adjusted. The new Leica SF 26 flash unit gives users the ability for perfect flash exposures and fill light. Unique to the Leica SF 26 flash allows it to be used as an LED light source for recording video.

So at this point, you may be thinking "Ok, just another press release which really hyped the camera. Nothing new." But, no worries. We also have a detailed specs list to help you decide if this will be in your pocket anytime soon or if you will just avoid this camera.

Product Specs

Technical Data LEICA

Camera type: Leica T (Typ 701)

Lens connection: Leica T bayonet fitting with contact strip communication between lens and camera

Lens system: Leica T lenses

Sensor: CMOS sensor, size APS-C (23.6 x 15.7 mm) with 16.5/16.3 million pixels (total/effective), format aspect ratio 3:2

Resolution: J PEG: 4928 x 3264 (16 megapixels), 4272 x 2856 (12.2 megapixels), 3264 x 2160 (7 megapixels), 2144 x 1424 (3 megapixels), 1632 x 1080 (1.8 megapixel), DNG: 4944 x 3278 pixels

Picture data file formats / compression rates: Selectable: JPG Superfine, JPG Fine, DNG+ JPG Superfine, DNG + JPG Fine

Video recording format: MP4

Video resolution / frame rate: Selectable: 1920 x 1080 p, 30 fps or 1280 x 720 p, 30 fps

Storage media: 16GB internal memory; SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, multimedia cards

ISO range: Automatic, ISO 100 to ISO 12500

White balance: Automatic, presets for daylight, cloud, halogen lighting, shadow, electronic flash, two manual settings, manual color temperature setting

Autofocus system: Contrast based

Autofocus metering methods: Single point, multiple point, spot, face detection, touch AF

Exposure modes: Automatic program, aperture priority, shutter speed priority, manual setting, scene exposure modes: Fully automatic, sport, portrait, landscape, night portrait, snow/beach, fireworks, candlelight, sunset

Exposure metering: Multiple field, center weighted, spot

Exposure compensation: ±3 EV in 1/3 EV increments

Automatic bracketing: Three pictures in graduations up to ±3 EV, adjustable in 1/3 EV increments

Shutter speed range: 30 s to 1/4000 s

Picture series: Approx. 5 fps, 12 pictures with constant picture frequency, then depending on memory card properties

Flash modes: Automatic, automatic / red eye reduction, always on, always on / red eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync / red eye reduction

Flash exposure compensation: ±3 EV in 1/3 EV increments

Flash synchronization: Sync time: 1/180 s

Guide number of built-in flash unit: for ISO 100: 4.5

Recovery time of built-in flash unit: Approx. 5 s with fully charged battery

Monitor: 3.7" TFT LCD , 1.3 million pixels, 854x480 per color channel

Self timer: Selectable delay time 2 or 12s

WLAN: Complies with IEEE 802.11b/g/n standard (standard WLAN protocol), channel 1-11, encryption method: WiFi compatible WPA™ / WPA2™, access method: infrastructure operation

Power supply: Leica BP-DC13 lithium ion battery, rated voltage 7.4V, capacity 1040mAh (based on CIPA standard): approx. 400 pictures, charging time (after total discharge): approx. 160 min

Connections: Micro USB port (2.0 High Speed), Leica flash interface with integrated connection for optional accessories; battery charging via USB connection possible with max. 1A

Charger: Leica BC-DC13, input: AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz, automatic reversing, Output: DC 8,4V 0,65A, Weight: approx. 90 g, Dimensions: approx. 96x68x28 mm

Body: Leica unibody solid aluminum design, two removable dummy plugs for carrying strapand other accessories, ISO flash shoe with center and control contacts for connection of more powerful external flash units, e.g. Leica SF 26, or for attaching the Leica Visoflex electronic viewfinder

Tripod thread: A 1/4 DIN 4503 (1/4”)

Dimensions (WxHxD): 134 x 69 x 33 mm

Weight: Approx. 384 g / 339 g (with / without battery)

Items supplied: Camera body, carrying strap, 2 carrying strap release pins for detaching the carrying strap, battery (Leica BP-DC13), charger (Leica BC-DC13) with 6 adapter plugs, USB cable

Software: Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® (free download after registration of camera), Leica T app for iOS® (remote control and image transfer, free download from Apple® App-Store®)

What are your current thoughts on the Leica T-System? I am personally excited for it. The price point is not bad and I feel pretty comfortable with it. This may be the year I finally add a Leica to my bag. For more information on this new product, you can visit the Leica website.