719 Comments

1. Looks like a Pentax K-o1. Except that Pentax legacy lenses aren’t $400.00 on eBay and dont require a $600.00 mount adapter. I had a feeling the K-o1 was the prototype that would change the game. Now the Sony a7 and this are hopping on the bandwagon. Bonus for the K-o1 — when the camera is off, the shutter closes.

2. Hi Steve, great website, great review! Do you think Leica could/should go one step further with the successor to the T and do something like an “Air” version, similar to what Apple did with the macbook (when they stopped using CD drives), and simplify it further, by letting go of interchangeable SD cards? Why not have only internal memory? And instead of the current USB plug, have one single, sturdy all purpose connection like the iphones have since the 5? (plus the wifi). That would be simplicity. That´s how Apple would have designed it. After all, few prosumers really change SD cards. The Leica T looks solid, but the plastic SD card door could be avoided this way. They should even do market research and see how many users actually buy more than one battery… I could live with a factory replaceable battery (at low overall cost), if it makes the camera slimmer, more robust and allows a larger battery to be used. By the way, the only thing that has me on the fence about buying the T is the auto-playback (I want uninterrupted view). IMHO, if they made this camera fast (not just AF, but shutter and viewing lag and LCD “blackout” time) and waterproof, it should become a bestseller..

3. Hi Steve, don’t take this the wrong way but I totally disagree with your closing statement regarding a built in EVF ( For Leica to make this a true drool worthy camera they should have put in a built-in EVF. How many times does this need to be said?) No 1 if the camera had a built in EVF it would be much bigger and the main reason No 2 is that by using the Leica visoflex it works much in the same way as the Leica M9/mono but better in the fact that you can keep both eyes open when focusing and see all of your surroundings at the same time which can be invaluable.

   • No, it could deb the same size. The A7 series is smaller, yet has a huge EVF. The E-M1 has a HUGE EVF, small camera. They could have removed the flash that only 3% of people will use and used that space for an EVF. It is not just me who says this, I hear from hundreds of people per week about Leica..readers..95% of them say they will wait for an EVF to be IN the camera before they buy an X. So many have said “nope, I will keep waiting” for this very reason. Everyone else is doing EVF’s today, and we all love them. Leica has made 4 X cameras now, and ever since the 1st one so many have asked for a VF to be in the camera yet they still ignore the demand. The Vario was a sales disaster and same thing, so many told me then “if it had an EVF built in I would have taken a closer look”. For so many it is a no go without one, especially today. I’d wager $10k that with an EVF this camera would have sold 4X of what it ends up doing. Also, keep an eye on Sony for an RX1 replacement and see just what they do. Seems like they are the #1 company for listening to what we want in a camera. The X is gorgeous no doubt. Just holding it makes you want it but adding that EVF kills the looks they are so proud of while making it clunky as well. For the T the EVF is nice, as it is a much smaller camera. But for the X, there really is no excuse. Basically, Leica did not want to create a new body so they used all of their Vario shells (that did not sell) to make the X.

     • HURRAH!!! Couldn’t have said it better myself! What’s wrong with the Management at Leica? Panasonic with its LX100 is out with a superb camera for 2/3 of an X 113 Leica price! However the ‘styling’ is not up to Leica. That’s another issue of non photographic importance.

     • Hi again Steve, I was talking about the T and not the X camera. The accessory EVF on the T stands well above the camera giving you perfect all round vision with both eyes open (people walking into shot etc.) if it was built into the camera I don’t think you would have such a good all round view.

4. I always read your review…is so reach.
   Do you know if we use the M adapter on the T with M lents we have the autofocus ?
   You don’t really talk about the autofocus performance…some time is good to be lazy ..haha

   Thanks
   Oliver

   • Except for a small number of historical exceptions, autofocus is handled by motors in the lens. Leica M’s are ranger finders, thus use manual focus lenses. These lenses will be manual focus regardless of body or adapter.

5. Got the T four days ago. Great cam, love everything about it. Except earlier today it developed some serious glitches. When shooting in manual mode the dials don’t allow you to change aperture and/or shutter. The only fix so far seems to be switching into an auto mode and back into manual. Also had a jammed up screen, that was a combination of different screens layered on top of one another. This all started happening in conjunction with the manual mode glitch, so seems like this is a firmware issue. Anyone else with this?

   • The menu system is tricky sometimes. I tried to switch to manual focus the other day and couldn’t! I had to check the manual and go about it differently than I expected. Moving the most-used icons to the top helps a lot.

6. got mine 10 days ago..it came with firmware 1.1, the system is not laggy at all, the touch screen is actually very nice, not sticky at all but needs a slightly firm touch similar to my htc or LG touchscreen phones else it would select things while brushing against me! low light autofocus is sometimes slow with but the same as my rx100 so no biggie for me..image quality of the dng’s is very very nice. i got the 23mm lens..its very fast and responsive. easy to program the dials, and one hand operation is quite simple once the home screen is setup.

7. I love the camera, but I need a carry case with a true vertical shoulder strap, like the ones for the X1/X2 and D-Lux series. The grey case I bought for $225 does not fit the camera properly with the neck strap attached (wrist strap not available yet), and the bag’s “strap” exits the *side* of the bag on one end and the top on the other end. Before anyone suggests “cross-body”, the reason for not using a neck strap is because of the pressure on the neck, and with a heavy camera (with zoom lens) a cross-body bag presses against the neck (never minding how much more intrusive cross-body is compared to shoulder carry).

   So far all I hear from Leica are excuses – how difficult would it be for them to commission a closed bag for the T and the 18-56 lens?

8. Dear Steve (great real world reviews, thank you!),
   Noting an APS-C Summicron-T 23mm / f2 lens is equivalent to a Full-Frame 35mm / f3 lens: wouldn’t, therefore, a Full-Frame Summarit-M 50mm / f2.5 lens behave like a 35mm / f1.8 lens on the T (701) body? (Forgive me, I believe crop factor is highly emotive with respect to DOF).
   And, if so, might this be a faster (albeit manual focus) and less expensive alternative to the Summicron-T 23?
   Much obliged

   • The full frame 50 2.5 would be like a 75 2.5 on the T (yes, still 2.5 for light gathering which is what aperture is used for). It would not be like a 35mm in any way, shaper or form. The 23 f/2 is giving you a 35 FOV with an F/2 light gathering (not f/3).

9. First of all : Thank you very much for yours support!
   Do you know if can use whit the Leica T my Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F Mount ?
   Maybe with an special adapter?
   Instead of that do you suggest the SonyA7s? for this purpose.

   Thank you in advance!

10. I love the T! Everything about it. But. Waaaaa. The available lenses and roadmap drive me crazy. Such a brilliant system, spot on for what I am looking for across all boxes, and although I love the 24 Cron, and keen on the 11-24 (have to wait till end of year!), pls, pls add some more primes, especially a 56 or 60 Cron to the short-term release roadmap… its such a missed opportunity IMO… I really don’t know how long before I really consider moving on… Pana Leica 42.5 1.2, Fujinon 56 1.2 … Come on Leica, you have a 90 Cron MF already, come on!

11. Thanks Steve, great review and video, both comprehensive and enough to encourage me to dive in. For the most part I have not been disappointed, except for the wifi connectivity and scant instructions relating to the wifi facility. I had, what I thought was a modest need to download images to my iPad and I can confirm the wifi facility does not work at least on my camera. Three wifi systems/locations, as many visits to the store and countless attempts every which way and I gave up. Until, I found a post on the Leica forum which suggests using the Apple iPhone Personal Hotspot, which works perfectly. It’s a shame that such a respected 100 year old brand turns out unresolved products. I’m so happy I have never owned a car that is so troublesome. Oh and because the USB cable us powered, that won’t work on an iOS device. Dumb and dumber, in my humble view. Hopefully now, at least I can enjoy the camera, but I could gave done without the challenges.

12. Steve,
    One more question…. Are you going to update the review with the new firmware?

13. Steve,
    Am I crazy!! A couple of weeks ago I was able to handle and examine a Leica T at a Leica Store in Paris. I was very impressed with it and the user interface just “clicked” with me. I have been reading reviews and forum discussions constantly. I currently shoot with the Fuji Xt-1 but am strongly considering replacing it with the Leica T and zoom lens. The Fuji is a fine camera but just doesn’t give me the feeling that the T did. I know all of the logical arguments say stick with the Fuji but I am really wavering. Any thoughts, suggestions or ideas would be appreciated. I do not currently own any Leica glass.

    • You sort of answered your own question. “I was very impressed with it and the user interface just “clicked” with me”. and “The Fuji is a fine camera but just doesn’t give me the feeling that the T did”. 🙂

      • Hi John.
        Well, I’m not sure what it is about the Leica T’s interface that is “that much better” for you than that of the Fuji XT-1, that would warrant spending many thousands more for the admittedly superb Leica glass. I’ve not seen image quality comparisons between these systems, but I would opine that in prints smaller than 11×14 inches, one would be hard-pressed to see notable differences (using the same exposures and solid pre- and post-processing techniques with both cameras, of course)! Perhaps it’s the fact that Leica has always been an unattainable “dream” system of mine, but when shooting for the web or “small” print sizes, I simply don’t see the justification for spending many times more on (again, admittedly superb) Leica lenses when modern lens designs of most of the other major brands (Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Olympus, Pentax) are quite high in sharpness, color fidelity, and low aberrations/distortion. And granted, Leica optics are recognized as the pinnacle of build quality. If someone can point me to a formal test that proves the superior sharpness and overall IMAGE QUALITY of the Leica System (for web or small print sizes ONLY!), then I’ll be a believer! In other words, I simply don’t think the human eye can discern a difference in Image Quality between Leica and the other brands in a small web jpeg or print (all else being equal)! I fully acknowledge the superior build quality and craftsmanship of both Leica cameras and lenses, but I’m talking specifically about IMAGE Quality here, and for low-res web display or small prints up to around 11×14 inches.Thank you, and best of luck with your T!

14. Well Steve thanks for all the work you put in testing the T, You convinced me !, Took delivery a couple of days ago , and it is superb, love the techno stuff too,
    You say about the B & W, but i can’t seem to find that mode on the screen , is it in a sub menu,
    Cheers G

    • Hi Graham. I too am about to pull the trigger. I was wondering about ae/af lock. I read that there is not any way to do it. Can you lock with half press of the shutter? Thanks!!!
      JOhn

      • Sorry John ,been on holiday, Yes you can, its a joy to use,

15. Putting a price tag of $1700 for a Made-In-Japan lens is not going to make a lot of diehard Leica fans comfortable in letting go their money. The most important factor in justifying the price tag, I believe, is on who makes the glass. Leica has always been proud of showing people how painstakingly a piece of Leica glass was made. Can Leica do something like what Taylormade is doing for their golf clubs, labelling them that the parts are supplied by Taylormade, the product being assembled in China. That’s a lot better than just by saying “Made in China”. However, that’s exactly what Leica is doing for their T lens, “Made in Japan”.

    • @Chris:

      Wherever the 23mm f/2 lens is made, it can deliver very decent results. If it is worth the money is up to the eye of the beholder – but from trying it on last Wednesday I can state that OOC JPEGs with that lens are quite decent.

16. HI Steve,
    I own a m9p with few Leica lenses (21, 28,50 and 90), I am currently looking at autofocus mid size camera but is struggling to decide which camera to go for it, the Leica T or the Sony alpha 7/7r. My photographing mainly involve travel and street photographing. kindly assist. Just wonder, which camera will you choose?

17. On last Wednesday evening (14-May-2014), I had the opportunity to try the T701 and all available accessories for a few hours – there was a ‘Touch & Try Leica T” session at the Leica Boutique Lisse/NL.

    I went there with some prejudices against the T701, shaped on the Internet presentation of the camera, and even on Steve’s positive review. In my prejudice, the camera was an expensive toy not needed in the market for serious photography, a toy that rather was a hip accessoire du mode (fashion object).

    Well, my prejudices have been proven wrong. The camera is serious, SERIOUS, period. And it gives, despite its modernity, a true Leica feeling.

    It delivers good quality results (JPG OOC is acceptable, RAW seems deep and rich), a very decent touch interface with very good menu structure. In fact, despite some minor glitches, as the camera had an early (late beta) firmware on it, it was by far the most usable and intuitive touch interface I have to date seen on a camera. I would wish to have one or two ‘auxiliary buttons’ for use in situations where touch screen control is not suitable, and maybe a mirroring of the touch screen menu display into the EVF (with the firmware on the camera that was not possible (yet?))). But, as far as ‘touch’ goes, I was positively impressed.

    The camera body itself is a bit bigger and heavier than I had imagined – which is an advantage – it does hold itself nicely with the adapter and the ‘Cron 90 on it – balance is good even with the fairly heavy lens on it.

    The mechanics seem rock-solid, the autofocus is decent, the EVF (which for me is a must) is good enough for focussing manual lenses (including the ‘Cron 90 f/2) without magnification.

    The AF lenses shown were ok – the zoom is not for me, it delivers, but I find it too expensive, however, the 23 mm prime I like quite a bit. AF speed is ok.

    Old M glass (all that was tried – Elmarit 28, ‘Cron 50, ‘Cron 90 in my case, other people had others) seemed to work very well and feels ‘right’.

    Leica T701 + Visoflex EVF + Carrying Strap + Leather Protector + Summicron-T 23 f/2 with lens hood would be a nice combination as ‘always ready’ camera for traveling and ‘reportage’ use (*).

    Combined with a ‘Cron 50 or a ‘Lux 50 ASPH (with adapter M->T) – or a future 50 mm AF ‘prime’ one has a very decent portrait set-up at hand, too.

    I shall not buy it for now – I could not justify the replacement of my two NEX-7 bodies which I use with M lenses in the ‘candid portrait’ role described above before their time. But, once they reach end of useful service live, I shall give the T a very serious consideration.

    My final thought: Leica have managed for the first time to build a really ‘modern’ and useable small Leica – for a true Leica it feels and seems to be. Chapeau.

    Regards,

    Michael
    =->
    (*) The IQ does not reach the IQ of the RX1 with its Sonnar T* 35 f/2, specifically wrt. minimum DOF, high ISO behavior (NR off) and dynamic range. But what one gets out is very good. Good enough to give it a serious consideration.

18. Steve! You and I share a dream? A dream of a Leica T with a built in viewfinder or as this company made for USD 800; No other comparisons.

    http://www.mirrorlessrumors.com/cameras/sony-rx100m3 (the new Sony RX100 vers. 3)

    Greets a former Leica M4 owner, at that time 40 years ago was not a dream, it was true. Now I had a dream of a Leica as per T, simple however still a Leica.

    This Leica solution with an add on viewfinder is OK technically, however from a ‘transport’ point of view not good. I’m sure you agree? The quality of Sony’s popup viewfinder would be OK for the Leica. In addition, Sony didn’t canceled the build in flash. Well, the socket in the middle is gone. Who cares using a pocketable ‘point & shoot’ anyway?

19. Hi Steve. You and your reviews rock! Thanks. I am in Paris on vacation and stopped by one of the 2 Leica Stores here. A very nice young Leica service person was in the store with his own personal T. He was kind enough (and spoke good English) to spend time with me. My impressions are quite positive. The touch screen is incredible. My wife, when she saw it said even she could operate this camera. She loves her iPhone. The body felt super solid but not heavy or slick. I never feared it slipping as I took some test shots. The evf had a good quality image but there was one problem. When I moved it to my eye there was a slight but noticeable lag to the turn on. Don’t know what that was about. Did you notice it? He told me that his copy had the final release firmware. Overall I was super impressed. I have the SonyA7r and the XT-1 but am thinking of selling the Fuji to afford the T. I think the T and the A7r would make for 2 great options. Your thoughts?

    • “I think the T and the A7r would make for 2 great options. Your thoughts?”

      I am not Steve, but based on ownership of the A7 and my own “Touch and Try” experience, moving from the Fuji to T701 + Visoflex EVF seems a very good plan. Wait for the firmware to stabilize, though…

20. I don’t like Leica and the habit of charging 5 times more than the competition and offering something that isn’t even one time better. For this price, give me a Sony A7r, a 20 € M adapter and and lets play!

    Just one thing, the T (just like the M), and its nice monobloc body is made in Portugal, where Leica has a brand new second factory. So, refrain yourself from using GERMAN as an added value (only as if…you can come here and take all the shoddy Opels and Mercedes), because it isn’t, but that does not mean that it has less quality,

    • 5X the cost of the competition?

      Fuji X-T1 is $1300 – T is $1700, hardly 5X the cost.
      Olympus E-M1 is $1200 – not even close to 5X the cost.
      Sony A6000 – well, the T is 2X the cost of the A6000.

      Sony A7r is $1k more than the T and the T will offer better sharpness, micro contrast, color. A7r will offer the full frame DOF but slower operation, larger body, and will cost much more.

      The T is German made. Shell may be made in Portugal but 85% of construction is in Germany. Either way, the quality of the body beats any APS-C I have shot with in build quality and craftmanship.

      • The comparable Fuji without a EVF is the X-A1… the X-A1 with kit lens is $450. The Leica T with kit lens? About $4k which is about 9x the cost… 🙂

      • Steve, I LOVE your site and the fact that you let others post here who often disagree with you, YET you are the guy who has to pay to keep this great website going. BUT I have to disagree with your math XT1 vs the T. I had an X Vario so I DO know that Leica POP thing..and it’s almost hard to describe…something GREAT and SPECIAL about the xv’s IQ and I’ll bet the T will be even better. BUT again to the pricing you are simply off a bit.

        You can’t compare the T to the XT1 UNLESS you add in the Leica EVF…Cause otherwise these are really two different animals. So then the T is $1850 NOT $1700 first of all, so that’s incorrect.

        The real math if you want more apples to apples is the T with EVF is $2445. The XT1 body only with INCLUDED best in class EVF is $1299. So the T is roughly double the XT1 for body only.

        Then if you are adding the zoom lens..the non stabilized Leica zoom is $1750. The Fuji zoom with image stabilization is $695. QUITE a difference. Or put another way if you buy the XT1 with kit lens it will run you $1699- DONE. the T with it’s zoom and EVF will run you $4,195!

        Yes it’s not 5 times more than the XT1 but more than twice the price. I am NOT saying the T can not beat the XT1 on IQ “SLIGHTLY” but I don’t think it’s worth $2496 BETTER? Do you? For a Similar camera I am talking JUST spec wise. Again having owned the XV I can say the T is going to out resolve the FUJI and I like Leica color much more than Fuji’s color..Fuji’s colors to me look rather flat and lifeless BUT can be tweaked enough with Ninja or LR to look pretty darn good..

        Anyway I am ONLY saying you didn’t do the REAL math. So in this case if I don’t NEED that sexy looking silver Leica body…for the slight boost in IQ and I will admit a better zoom lens..probably outstanding, I can’t see paying $4000 for REALLY, a NEX with a luxury body and NO dispute GREAT lenses..that WILL blow away any Fuji or Sony lens certainly, Zeiss I dunno. There’s nothing wrong with paying extra for a luxury item.

        But put a paper bag on the T put a paper bag on the XT1. I highly doubt you will see a $2,000 difference in IQ at the end of the day. Anyway just my take.THAT said lol I wish I could afford a T but I think it’s JUST too expensive vs what you are really getting IQ wise GREATEST lenses and all…thanks for letting me ramble here. 🙂

        • Hey Sol, you are correct..I forgot about the EVF and yes, $2000 IQ diff? All depends on how deep your pockets are and how hard it hits you I guess. Me, I am not a huge Fuji X-Trans sensor fan, but love what they are doing and how they are doing it so far. The X-T1 is great. Leica will always be Leica..expensive, and priced well above the others. Thanks for the comments 😉

          • Hi Steve, Thank you..you are the best! I agree with you on the x-trans, it doesn’t really DO IT for me either at least NOT as my one and ONLY camera at least. Unfortunately my pockets are a bit shallow at the moment, hence I think the T would be a little out of reach for me at this time, unless I want to get into more debt. I know it’s difficult to say does one camera have a 2k difference in IQ over the other. I suppose MAYBE, if every file is gonna make one unhappy (X-T1) vs the other T? where almost every file is saying WOW. I’m just not sure the T is WOW enough “for me” to spend that extra 2k. Again I am basing this off of the iq I used to get with the XV which I loved, at least IQ wise. It’s just now with cameras like the A7, RX1R( I know that’s a fixed lens cam..well) etc…it has been my experience, IMO, with the two Sonys I get even better iq, pop, and resolution than what the XV used to give me. But then you get into size…handling..yikes it just doesn’t end. Well that’s the fun here, TONS of choices…and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t WANT a T it just may be too expensive though for ME to justify it’s price. But I can see it has a ton of appeal and well, LOL it’s a Leica…:) It’s no plasticky everyone’s got one type of camera! THAT may be enough to justify another 2k or so..Eh, it never ends…haha. Fun and torture sort of… maybe I’m gonna go back to my old 2 megapixel Olympus CZ-2000 or whatever it was called with 128 mb smart media card WOW 🙂

21. According to recent news at DPReview, it seems that the kit lens praised so highly in the review is not really any better in its native optics than any other $100 non-IS kit lens and depends greatly on software correction for distortion, vignetting, and aberrations. Consequently, all this hoopla about the lens seems a bit fan boyish. Not my fault, so don’t kill the messenger.

    • What matters is what comes out of the camera, and I have yet to see or use ANY kit zoom that can surpass this one for sharpness, detail, micro contrast and color. If that is done in camera with software then so be it, whatever..doesn’t matter. Whatever works. It is what it is, like it or not. They must correct for JPEG and RAW in camera then which is odd as RAW is usually uncorrected, and my RAW files were superb out of the T without an correction by myself. Whoever said it is no better than a $100 kit lens has no idea what they are talking about. None.

      • Leica “reportedly” said that the reason these Japanese manufactured lenses were sooooo expensive was because they were completely optically corrected and DID NOT DEPEND ON SOFTWARE CORRECTION. But that is not the case and the uncorrected photos show quality levels on par with $100 kit lenses from Japan. I don’t take issue with what you describe as your results, only with what appears to be subterfuge about how the results are obtained in order to justify a high price for the lens.

        As for RAW files usually not software corrected, I do take issue with respect to Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom-arguably the most common RAW converters in use and certainly so for DNG files from Leicas. It’s well documented that when m4/3rds really started leaning on software corrections to offer reasonably priced lens with great performance, Adobe made the choice to honor those corrections in their converters. Hence, you don’t find Oly & Pany lens correction profiles-they are baked into the jpgs and Adobe conversions. In order to see actual naked lens performance, you need to use a converter that doesn’t honor the software corrections.

        • Leica never said the lenses did not have software correction. never. To anyone. They said the optical quality was high and they were real Leica lenses. Even the $11k Noctilux uses software correction on the M and M9. Many M lenses do. All cameras and use corrections..sony RX1 has massic software correction yet it is still the best IQ I have seen in 35mm to date. It’s a part of digital life and Leica is not immune. But do not spread lies and say they said the lenses did not use software correction as they never said that.

    • In my opinion, this doesn’t really matter.

      All optical designs are compromises and no lens exists where all distortions and aberrations have been completely eliminated. The best lenses for film use were state of the art, hence expensive, and had to correct as much as possible as there was no means to electronically correct the image afterwards. Correcting one aberration was a trade off with another. For example, I read that when Nikon introduced their 43-86mm zoom way back, there was a conscious decision to go for sharpness, remember early zooms were way behind primes in this respect, and the design purposely allowed distortion to be higher than normal. I had his lens with my F and I was amazed at just how sharp it was.

      Electronic manipulation has been around for a few years now. My aging Panasonic LX3 employs it to good effect and allows an incredibly small f2 zoom with AF built in. The naked lens image shows a high level of distortion in its RAW images, and easily seen in software that can’t correct it. The apparent extremely low level of distortion seen in jpegs was commented upon favourably to the lens design, until, that is, the RAW image was seen.

      However, whilst electronic manipulation can correct for CA, vignetting and linear distortions, it can do nothing to improve a lens’ inherent resolving power. Sharpening a digital image gives an impression of sharpness, not an increase in true resolution.

      If the employment of electronics can help the designers to free up the lens design to improve the basic lens quality, and reduce manufacturing costs, then why not?

22. Steve, don’t forget the $140 spare battery.

23. Agreed that it doesn’t matter where a lens is made as long as it is well made and performs. I believe Robert was referring to the Panasonic or Sigma lens factories, which most likely make lenses for multiple brands. I’m also willing to bet the Panasonic branded Leica lenses were partly a test for Panasonic to prove their factory was up to snuff for building fully branded Leica lenses. That’s just smart business. Leica knows the power of their brand and they know how far they can push their margin. As long as they are overseeing the quality of the product coming from the factory, their customers won’t know the difference.

24. With this new design, you could up grade the sensor in the future.
    Wouldn’t that be a selling feature like no other.

    • I don’t think that would be practicable and to change it to Full Frame would be impossible as the sensor is much larger (APS-C 23.6mm x15.7mm Full Frame 36mm x 24mm), but fortunately as its’s a Leica the second hand value is much higher than most other makes so you would be able to sell or part ex it for the new latest upgraded model of the future

25. No dials? Touch Screen only? — Good luck in wintertime.. ;-(

    No dials with “clicks”? Toch Screen only? — Ok, T-users never get older…;-)

    • Never thought of that. Good observation!

    • Do you use a cell phone with a touch screen?

      • Nope!

      • Do you realize this isn’t a phone? Tactile buttons area bit more important here. Regardless of the seemingly blurred lines between the two, a true camera is used differently and if you considered that for a moment you would realize that I’d you are using the evf you would then have no tactile, sensor feedback from the touchscreen like you would with physical buttons.
        Stop comparing the use to a phone. It’s a camera and as such has a need for buttons.

26. eventually the hype goes and it becomes just another camera

    • Yes, I fear there is a great deal of hype on this site. My last comment replying to Steve has not even been posted. It looks like if you do not agree with Steve your posts get ‘moderated’ off this page…

      • Lance,

        Your last comment about posts getting “moderated off the page” is not true, certainly in my case. When you view this discussion do you still see the yellow moderation flag? If so, unless you said something that went beyond the bounds of decency, you should see it posted soon.

        Steve and I haven’t always seen eye to eye and I’ve posted comments disagreeing with him on a number of discussions. I did begin to wonder, when I found most of my comments have recently been subject to the “awaiting moderation” tag the moment I post them.

        But to Steve’s credit, NONE of them has ever been censored or not published for all to see.

        I’m sure Steve won’t expect me to stop disagreeing with him where I feel it is warranted, so I expect to continue to see the “awaiting moderation” flag as I just know he will say something that is not true, or misguided, (IMO) and I’ve no doubt that I shall continue to upbraid him. But this is the value of honest disagreement.

        If the only posts on Steve’s site were from acolytes and all of the “Steve, we love you” variety, this would be extremely unhealthy.

        • Many comments are automatically moderated by the system. When this happens they have to wait until I manually approve them. I approve them all unless they are A: Personal attacks on me or any of the readers B: Outright rude and mean C: False or accusatory nonsense.

          Sometimes I miss some of the mean ones but I do what I can. 🙂

        • Agreed. You see a lot of people on here who have conflicting views and their posts are here in plain site to see.

      • That was due to the personal attack against me that was in it. You have since reworked it and it is now approved even though you attack others in it. I will not approve any other comments from you with personal attacks against anyone. All you are doing is spreading hate, anger, and false information..nonsense. All based on NOTHING as you have no experience with what you are attacking.

27. This camera, seems like a great camera on the technical level and the options it offers. Despite the ‘overall’ cost being higher than the X Vario and X2, it does seem justified given the flexibility and craftsmanship.

    However, I have to say that I definitely prefer the aesthetics of the X2 and the X Vario.If they have combined the technical aspects of the T (sensor, interchangeable lenses) with the aesthetics of the XVario I would have purchased one right away. And this Leica ‘XT’ could have replaced the X Vario in their lineup. IMHO

28. Hi Steve, Love your reports so much!!!! Always a plesure – please – never stop it!!

29. WHOA…! A lot of fuzz about this camera and/or brand – no question about it! Either you like the camera or not, I find it an attractive piece of design package, with not so bad performance (judging from Steves comment, spec scheet etc).

    I think Leica has managed very well in their marketing. They´ve found their niche, luxury and/or good performance in a delicate package. Many refers to Apple and maybe they´ve got a point there, I don´t know. What I do know, is that Leica has a unique position in the camera world and I think they are taking full advantage from it. If Nikon/Canon/Sony etc would have made this camera it wouldnt have been the same thing. Everybody knows it, from buyes to lurkers. Thats a very good position to be in, and I´m happy theres a spot even for those camera makers. And as always: Everybody is entitled to their opinion.

    I´m neither a hater or a lover of the camera nor the brand. But I find it exciting how Leica does it. It is clear they have a plan and a very conscious marketing strategy. I believe this camera is a fairly bold and tactile move. And you can´t shut one´s eyes over the fact that a pice of equipment (cameras in this case) can speak to your heart and awake your feelings. What´s nice to shot with is in the eyes of the beholder. Some doesnt care, and maybe that is the best. But for those who care about design etc, Leica has the ability to speak to you.

30. With the huge number of comments on this review, I don’t believe I see one mentioning the actual elephant in the room here … the Panasonic GX7. It looks to be very similar in size to this Leica, and is very arguably a much superior street shooter with its tap to focus touchscreen autofocus and totally silent shutter with maximum 1/8000s speed. The GX7 is also eminently usable with legacy Leica glass and teach the faster maximum shutters speed may well end up producing very similar depth of field results in many situations. Steve mentions this camera in his written review, and it also shows up on the video. I would be interested to find out how the GX7 and the T compare, from someone who’s actually used both.

    • I own the GX7. Leica T is built to a much higher standard, is a more pleasurable shooting experience and has better IQ all the way around from sharpness/detail micro contrast, DOF control and ISO noise. Also color. The GX7 is fantastic, I do own it and am doing a long term use re-review. With the superb M 4/3 lenses like the 20 1.7II, 42.5, etc the camera is very capable and puts out superb images. With that said, the Leica T feels better in the hand and is way above the GX7 in build and feel. Totally different experience. Also, even though the Leica EVF is external it beats the quality and size of the Panasonic EVF (which is small and can have oddball colors in the display). Still, I am a huge Micro 4/3 fan and feel it is the best bang for the buck today.

    • I do agree with you. On top of what you’ve said already, you can shoot the GX7 with “real Leica” lenses that have auto-focus and Leica branding the same way you shoot the T: with third party, Japanese made Leica lenses. There are four excellent Panasonic Leica lenses that cover the basic, classic focal range from wide angle to light tele and macro.

      Steve: And regarding the image quality differences: I am pretty confident those differences will be irrelevant and barely noticeable unless you pixel peep. And better DOF control? Why is that?! The bigger sensor size is eaten up by the much slower T lenses. You can have the same DOF control on the GX7 with Panasonic Leica lenses (or other fast Micro Four Thirds lenses) as their apertures allow for that. So really, DOF control is no advantage the T holds until Leica delivers faster glass. Regarding the feel in the hand: the moment I’d raise the GX7 viewfinder to my eye the T loses – with its viewfinder or without. I had used a PEN with the VF-2 in the past. I could never feel good with the viewfinder attached as I was mostly afraid losing it. Not something I’d want to live through again with a $600 viewfinder on a camera that has a naked, polished bare metal surface that won’t offer grip when my hands get sweaty in summer. Can the viewfinder on the T at least attach in a way it’s locked and cannot come off as Olympus now offers with their new VF-4?

31. What a waste of time and money. Another silly gimmicky glitzy camera. Leica should be making a digital Leica MP – a full frame purist’s camera for all of us who’ve invested heavily in expensive M mount lenses like the Noctilux: and we don’t want the bloated M240 with its dubious performance.

    This ‘T’ looks like an inferior Sony A7 – a camera for people who ‘simply must have the latest Louis Vuitton handbag!’. It’s hideous and pointless. Can we please have a digital MP with a full frame CCD sensor and features that photographers need and not this load of shiny garbage. LanceB.

    • Pre-sales are strong, very strong. It’s already a hit by pre-order #’s. Not a gimmick at all, it performs and does so in a way other cameras do not. As for a digital MP, its already out, called an M-E. The M240 passes it in performance though, in every way while having better electronics and shutter. It’s only bloated in your mind. You do not need to use what you do not want to use (Live view or video). Best digital M made to date, and I am one of thousands who have this opinion. As for the t being a Sony A7 copy, not even close. It is not full frame, is smaller, better handing and faster in use. Much different rendering though not any less sharp but more vibrant and lively.

      Your negativity shines through in this comment and it is sad. Look at the facts and the positives in life, you may be a happier guy. So many bitter people. If you do not like it, move on and use something else. Easy as 1-2-3.

      • Well said Steve keep up the good reviews …..its a beautiful well made camera, I want one

      • Steve, having handled the camera extensively, how would you judge the margin that Leica makes on the T itself, the lenses and any accessories?

        My suspicion is that the T is supposed to accomplish what the M system never could: make Leica more money by raising the margin.

        • No idea. It is built to a high standard. Higher than any Fuji, Sony, Etc. Very solid..precision. Prob no more margin than Fuji makes on the X-t1. The lenses they will make the most margin I think, and accessories.

          • There’s plenty of margin, hard for me to believe Leica isn’t making any more than Fuji on each camera sold. The chassis really isn’t that expensive, robots do most of the work, and quality is just a matter of being more selective with which units pass final inspection. Electronics are cheap. What’s left? Overhead and profit. Leica is a much smaller company than Fuji, Panasonic, Sony, Nikon, Canon, etc. So that leaves profit.

          • Again, there i a lot to take in and consider, and of course after all of this Leica does indeed need to make a profit..

            FACT: When something is made in small quantities by any factory, the cost is much much higher to produce than factories that pump out products made by the thousands. Leica will make a much much smaller amount of the T than say Olympus makes of the E-M1. This raises production costs. Anyone who has ever designed a product from scratch knows the cost of not only R&D but the cost of getting that product made in a factory. If that factory is not in China when you make your small run of mostly hand assembles products it is going to cost you a fortune to produce. This is another reason why Leica’s are so expensive. They are made in very small quantities when compared to Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, etc. Add in the premium materials, hand assembly, etc etc and you have a camera that will of course cost more than the average mirror less that is pumped out by the thousands using plastic. Many do not even think or know about this fact. For example, go out and design a camera yourself..make a prototype and see how much just that alone costs. Then, go find a factory in Portugal to make the body and have it hand assembled in Germany. Once you get past the costs of development, the costs of the prototypes, the costs of the materials and design and the cost of the production and hand assembly you will be at a much higher price than you would ever think. In fact, I know how much it costs to make one M body and that cost would blow your mind. It was 4X the cost of what I thought it was. I also know what dealers have to pay for an M, and believe me, they do not make nearly as much on each one sold as one may think. The cost for Leica to make these cameras and lenses is much higher than most people think. But then again, most do not think before they speak and attack. (not talking about you at all here).

          • Steve, I work at an aircraft electronics manufacturer and I work in the supply chain department, so I see where costs of our products come from. While it’s true that smaller quantities necessitate higher per product costs, it’s not as dramatic as you think, because you gain back the cost in the MUCH less time and overall labor costs it takes to manufacture the smaller quanitity, even factoring in the “hand” assembly. R&D budgets are simply the salaries of the people involved and can be recouped quickly through cost of not just new product, but from sales of existing products. Cost of living in China isn’t that much less than Portugal, as China’s economy is booming and the emerging middle class keeps growing in population, therefore labor isn’t really much more in Portugal. Aluminum isn’t really a premium material, as it is so commonly used now because of Apple’s usage in their products, and any production waste can be recycled and reused.

            Your example of the high cost to design and build a camera is only applicable for someone who doesn’t already have an established company, established relationships with component suppliers, etc. But Leica has been around for a long time and they already have a lot of the costs minimized through their business relationships. No doubt they probably have many prototypes (and the R&D budget for them) being developed in house that won’t make it to full blown production.

            I’m not saying Leica is making the T for pennies, but I’m also pretty sure the production costs of the T can’t be more than 50% of the sales price they give to retailers (Apple’s production costs are around 25% of retail price). What would be interesting is if someone would do a teardown of the T, like people have done with Apple products, and really do a thorough estimate of Leica’s production costs. Then we could see how much a premium the little red dot really is.

          • Jonathan:

            You’re spot-on. It’s also been revealed now that the Leica T lenses are made by either Panasonic or Sigma, so the profit margin on that glass is going to be high. And look at all the retail locations Leica is opening.

            Leica is definitely making more on its products than the Japanese mirrorless manufacturers; economies of scale notwithstanding. It’s important to remember that ALL the Japanese manufacturers are losing money in their mirrorless camera divisions right now.

            Leica is one of only 3 camera manufacturers that’s currently profitable (the other 2 being Canon and Nikon—which is why they’re not pursuing mirrorless in a serious way and won’t until others eat into their business).

          • It has not been revealed that the lenses are made by Panasonic or Sigma. That was on a rumor site as no one knows. If it was revealed we would know who made them 🙂 At the end of the day, doesn’t matter if vivitar makes them as long as they are well made and perform and do not cost $5k like most M lenses.

          • I concur with your thoughts on this. I think there is probably little margin on the T itself, given it’s produced in Germany, a very expensive industrial manufacturing location. The margin on the T is probably slightly higher than with M cameras. However I do not believe Leica when they say the T lenses are real Leica lenses and the fact they are produced in Japan is because there is no capacity in Germany. I think that is a deliberate choice as with most of the accessories and the goal is to use lenses and accessories to drive margin.

            In their value proposition for the T system, I think this is the biggest problem. Leica lenses made in Japan by an unnamed third party at prices that would allow for manufacturing in Germany by Leica: that equals a lot of margin. That strategy is even more questionable when Panasonic also makes Leica designed, Leica branded lenses in Japan for Micro Four Thirds.

            Steve, you’ve handled all of the Panasonic Leica lenses. How do they compare in build quality, feel and handling to the T lenses? Any opinion on image quality comparison?

            My hunch is that the Panasonic Leica lenses will hold up pretty well in all regards to the Leica T lenses.

            So, bold question: when I want to shoot all Leica lenses on a compact, auto-focus mirror-less system, why would I choose the T over Micro Four Thirds? The GX7 for example is much closer to the original Leica experience of shooting, the image quality will be (almost) on par, the camera will enable much better photographs (image stabilization, better viewfinder & built in, faster, faster auto-focus etc.) and the camera comes with much more lens options.

            Leica should follow up and extend the T system with a GX7 like camera. If they make it well it can well be as expensive as a camera in the M range, but it will offer something the M cannot: a well thought off, auto-focus Leica experience. It won’t even matter that the camera is not full frame then, as auto-focus will be at the heart of the user experience while still using a viewfinder in a compact body just like using a M.

            Alas, we all know Leica lacks the vision and courage to go there. They’ll look the money in the fashion and luxury niche instead.

      • I wonder about their pre-sales numbers as they seem to only be putting your name on a list with no commitment or deposit. I assume they are happy about the length of people who want to be called when it comes into the store. Of course, they may only be doing this at the Leica store and B&H, etc. may be actually taking orders.

        Hopefully it will be a good system for them but I personally did noy think it stood out in a crowded APC market… and then there’s that $4k+ price the enter yet another lens mount system. I wouldn’t be defensive about the negatives. It’s an APC camera designed to be simplistic, or reduced to the basic elements, how ever their brochure described it. If you like instant access knobs, quickly changing the point of focus, etc. this is probably not the camera.

      • I’ll try and reply to Steve again. The Leica M-E is not a solution. It suffers from the same issues as the M9 – poor battery and many other limitations. I’ve never seen a good photo taken with the M240. What’s the point of this ‘T’ when a Canon 600D or Nikon D5200 are far better cameras for a fraction of the cost. The only point is that it’s an accessory for people who carry toy dogs in their handbags and watch America’s Next Top Model. It is just bling. My collection of Leica lenses: Noctilux, Summilux (3), Summicron (2) sit idle awaiting a proper digital MP. This is not ‘negativity’. I’ve spent more money with Leica than even you have Steve and I am very disappointed that they are making nonsense like this ‘T’ and not perfecting the digital ‘M’. HP was destroyed by trying to go mass market and I fear Leica may go the same way. I am ‘positivity’ appealing to Leica to focus on making great cameras and the best lenses rather than making silly products for rappers. If you want a portable snapper use the iPhone. If you want a cheap proper camera buy a 600D or D5200. But Leica should stand for real photography for real photographers.

        • Lol, you will never get it. Comparing a T (or any mirror less for that matter) to a Canon 600D or Nikon DSLR says it all. You are not the target market for any mirror less, let alone a Leica. I see you reworked this comment and removed the personal attack against me in hopes to get it approved. I almost did not as you still are offending others in this comment (Leica T users). Hateful, negative..you will never get it so get over it and move on. Why are you so obsessed with attacking something you have no clue about? The T is in no way nonsense, I have used it, you haven’t. But as I said, simple solution. get over it. Why be angry about something you have no control over? If it doesn’t do it for you then go buy your 600D, simple. Then you can be happy. As far as I am concerned Leica does stand for real photographers. Their cameras are all about simplicity, photography, quality, and usability. All that matters. Sounds like you want a DSLR, not a Leica.

32. Dear Steve – an incredible good review – and the pics you made with the T are exactly my taste. Suddenly I feel the need to buy that camera. Shocking! I was more preparing for the expected new sigma db .. if they ever will make it to the market…

    • I’m waiting for that Sigma as well as it looks incredibly interesting. Should perform well, and hoping they sped it up by a large margin.

33. Leica T: its a simple NX2000 copy….

    http://content.hwigroup.net/images/products/xl/185763/3/samsung_nx2000_black_2050_kit.jpg

    it has a 20Mpix APS-C sensor, a 3,7″ display and is already discontinued. The main feedback on reviews was: has no direct access buttons

    • Lol, it is nothing like an NX2000. In shape? Maybe. In use? NO not at all. In any other way? No, not at all. Different sensor, different everything. When a camera has a similar shape to another it does not make it a copy. If that is the case then a Canon 6D would deb a copy of the Nikon D7000. DSLR’s all look the same. Also, just because an Epson RD-1 looks similar to an M8 does not mean they are the same camera. The T is nothing like any camera I have touched. In use, i IQ, in feel, IN LENSES, in anything. Some just like to spread nonsense to stir up the pot. It’s quite silly.

    • No direct access buttons…….like the unsuccessful apple Ipone/ipad…..lol …the biggest selling phone in the world 2nd is the Samsung Galaxy S5 with very few buttons as well. its the future get used to it.

      • It’s the future of phones and tablets maybe, but cameras? I’m not so sure. Yeah. Soft buttons on a touch screen are great but when using a camera you need tactile buttons; buttons you can feel while using the viewfinder. This may be a wonderful feature and yes one that I love on my camera but I still want real buttons.
        We’re talking cameras, not phones and tablets. Two very different beasts despite the growing convergence of features. Phones may be able to take pictures and cameras may have touch screens like our phones but let’s be more realistic on terms of how each is used.

      • BS. The arrival of digital watches didn’t signal the death of analogue timepieces with a 12 hour dial and hands. There are very good reasons why dials are superior: settings can be confirmed with power off; seen at a glance; and operated with gloves on in cold conditions … sometimes even without looking.

        Touchscreen readouts are awesome for some things, but not for everything.

34. I talked yesterday to a Leica representative and had the camera in my hand and all I can say is, that there is actually in-body image stabilization. Even the icon was on the bottom of the screen. That was also confirmed by the representative.
    I don’t know if this is just recently added to the software. The rep said that he gets nearly each day a firmware update.
    Also he talked about the name Taifun, which is actually the name of the image processor. And he said that Leica intends to do processor development completely in-house.
    Also he confirmed that the lenses are not made by Panasonic, but mentioned Asia Optical. But he didn’t confirm. Another important point is, that Leica intends to make Apps available directly on the Leica. I assume a similar take like Sony with their Playmemory store for A7.

    • The “in body” stabilization is a joke. Not even worth mentioning. It is the same as the X-Vario IS. It is not even usable, as in, it does nothing. It is software IS and they put it in just to show it has some sort of IS but most refuse to acknowledge it as it is so bad. So for the record, I will state that the T really does not have any IS.

      “Taifun” is the code name of the camera, pronounced “Typhoon”. That is all. It is not the name of the processor. When a new camera is in development and before they have a name, they give it a code name. The code name of the T was “Taifun” and is how they came up with the name “T”. They just took the 1st letter from the code name. True story.

      Yes, lenses are not made by Panasonic. They do use real German Leica glass though and are made to a high standard, much nicer made than Fuji, Sony and most Olympus lenses (not all).

      Apps..they have an App but I do not think they will be adding apps to the camera. Maybe but nothing planned for the near future.

      • Greetings! First let me say that I am always impressed by the detail and insightful commentary in Steve’s reviews! As for the statement “The “in body” stabilization is a joke”, I can only assume that he is talking about a specific camera/body, because I have used the Pentax K-5, and the IS on that body did indeed work, and quite well, I might add. (It’s electronics was another story however, which in fact is what made me move over to Nikon.)

        • In camera IS of the T is no good. It is nothing like the IS of most in body cameras.

      • Is the crappiest form of in-body IS ever, and which is found in $50 compacts, not worth mentioning in a $1,800 product from Leica? This is a joke on Leica’s part and it were better it were left off, surely? Oh, I forgot, Leica said it was supplying products its customers were asking for..

35. I have to say that I am not buying the whole “super duper IQ OMG” thing. This is not because it’s not there- I see it. But I also have seen some truly amazing stuff taking with the Fuji X system in B&W with their prime lenses that are also superb in tonality, “3d ness”, rendition.

    But most importantly- the superlatives in IQ still pale in comparison to what a photographer can do with “lesser cameras” when the intent and vision and there- often even taking into account the “lesser” camera characteristics to precisely push for that vision and end product.

    I think the whole focus on the ultimate IQ/praise as blind pursuit is misguided.

    Now- onto workflow, simplicity – yes, completely agreed. A better interface, better workflow = win. For years I have been wondering why companies do not include healthy dose of built in RAM so your digital camera is always read and here comes Leica and finally does it with a very generous 16GB. That’s great even for RAW shooting.

    More than anything to me the interface, workflow, speed of use will make or break this camera. I am sure they got the build quality/build feel right, which also inspires something different on picking up as a tool.

    You can see this in a Ricoh GR or even the original Pentax Q body vs say the Pentax Q7- the Pentax Q was a full uniframe full body magnesium alloy with machined in insets for the button labels and it shows. It feels an instant classic when you pick it up. The Q7 as reasonably nice as it feels it feels disposable next to the original Q.

    This kind of stuff matters, when you just want to pick a tool and feel a material assurance in your hand in feel and experience. I am sure Leica got this very right on this camera.

36. Refer to cons list above, no swivel LCD,
    I have a solution, hopefully there will be third part who will make a flexible holder where you can stick your iphone, ipod on this T and use your iphone as a swivel lcd via wifi. On that way you can also save the battery as you turn off the lcd and use your iphone instead and I also hope that there will be a firmware update that enabling focus peaking to make the manual focus more fun.
    All improvement need to be done to maximize the joy of photographer with T, like what Leica said on T site or Otherwise just change the T design to M style, and we don’t ask for more.

37. What if your Leica M lens have no 6 bit code, the older ones. Software on my Fuji’s will let me manually set corrections?

    • Fuji will not allow you to set corrections for Leica lenses..

38. Steve alludes to this, but it really seems that Leica studied Apple product rollouts with the release of the T-System. The focus on minimalistic simplicity, industrial art like design (not really new to Leica), usability and quality are all Apple trademarks. Of course, maybe we’re just watching two companies with similar approaches.

    Steve – hope you don’t mind me linking out, but I wrote a piece on this very topic at https://sandtosnow.net/blog/2014/4/24/leica-goes-applesque.

39. Nobody has ever regretted buying quality.

40. Uugh! Another great camera with no built-in viewfinder. C’mon guys, alot us need a built-in viewfinder so we can use the the hotshoe for wireless triggers and off-camera flash. This is as basic a sliced bread and NOT including a built-in viewfinder really limits how this camera can be used.

    • It’s another example of why I say this camera wasn’t designed or engineered with photographers in mind, nor with any input from them.

      If you need to use wireless triggers, there are much better options out there.

      • “Most” photographers do not use wireless triggers. In fact, only a small percentage do, and those that do – well, they do not use Leicas. That is normally Canon and Nikon land, or medium format.

        • I know very few professional photographers who don’t use wireless triggers. But pros are not the market for the Leica T.

          You’re correct that Pocket Wizards and the like are typically used with Nikons or Canons, though. You can use them on the Fujis as well, however.

41. Disclaimer: I’m not a Leica fan. I’ve shot many months with an M5 and the RF thing just isn’t for me.
    Now: a Leica body with up to date characteristics + an f/2 35mm FoV equivalent and access to the M lens serie at around 4000$ = very SMART move from Leica. Yes, this will sell a ton!

42. If using M lens but there is no focus peak also no lcd tilt,
    which are “must have” on recent kind of models then must buy EVF..are you going to torture me? It is half joy I think.

    • Like a Rolls Royce one pays for quality and a Leica holds its second hand resale value better than any other make. In life one gets what you pay for.

      • Jay, while I certainly agree that, “in life, one gets what one pays for”, I think that some folks only equate the absolute highest-cost item in a product line as the “ONLY” one possessing any “Quality”, while everything else is implied to be inferior in terms over overall Quality. Well, as a Software Quality Assurance Analyst by profession, I can state with certainty that there are “levels” of Quality in most man-made products, and one does does “require” the absolute best, most expensive item (i.e., Leica) to get the level of Quality that one needs or desires for their particular application. I also suggest that for the majority of photography and the output sizes needed by most photographers, the Leica “look” will not be evident to the casual observer. I have seen many references to this “Leica look”, but frankly, it is not THAT obvious to me that it warrants spending $10K to achieve. Can anyone point to a group of photographs and say with 100% certainty that a particular image has a “Leica look”, or “Pentax look”, or Nikon look”? I think not. There are too many variables in the photographic process (film or digital) to ascribe a “look” to a certain manufacturer. Sharpness, contrast, Saturation, etc., are all qualities that can be enhanced in post processing to some degree. If one uses good equipment in the first place, good camera technique, optimum exposure, and good post-processing, I believe that the mysterious “Leica look” can be approximated using non-Leica equipment. I’m in no way disputing the superb sharpness and craftsmanship of Leica optics. I greatly admire Leica for that! I just think that since there are MANY factors that determine the final Quality of an image, the achievement of that “Quality look” in a photograph can be done with many OTHER brands besides (and of course, including) Leica. (Perhaps I’m influenced by the fact that I cannot afford Leica equipment, but from a purely objective QA perspective, I think I would still feel this way if I was indeed lucky enough to own an M9 with some Summicron optics!) Just my humble opinion, of course!

        • Oops…I hastily hit “Reply” before making corrections…:”one does does “require” the absolute best, most expensive item (i.e., Leica) to get the level of Quality that one needs or desires…” should read “one does not “require” the absolute best, most expensive item (i.e., Leica) to get the level of Quality that one needs or desires…”. Thank you.

        • Steve,

          The “Leica look” was more relevant and more discernable in the days of film, when the only variable was the film used. So true lens performance between makes was possible because the same film could be used over many makes and lenses. When using K25, perhaps the reference film of all time, the Leica lenses could be discerned from the others. It was this that prompted my move to Leica from Nikon.

          But in the age of digital there is so much electronic jiggery pokery going on, one can’t say for certain what is it precisely that contributes to the final image. And in my opinion, I doubt many could say with a high quality unit which camera took which image in a blind test.

          • Tsk tsk Terry; you know a Leica image always jumps out, you know that.

          • Ooops, Michiel, I forgot. Time for another pill. :o)

          • +1

43. This camera is so perfect in so many aspects, but then there is no IS.
    At. all. It just blows my mind.

    Steve, the next time you talk to a Leica rep: could you please hold them at their shoulders, shake them and ask them what the hell they were thinking? I mean, really: I can live with an external EVF. A non-tiltable screen sucks, but I accept that, too. But no IS!? This feels particularly absurd when looking at that slow standard zoom lens. 3–4 stops slower shutter speeds, simply wasted.

    I’m going to start saving up now and just hope that Leica will fix the T’s shortcomings in the second generation.

    BTW: I didn’t see a menu option to change the aspect ratio of photos. Can you set them to square format? Did you hear anything about focus peaking, are they planning that? I think the M has it, doesn’t it?

44. I love the new SF 26 flash with its bounce flash capability. Any idea if this will work on the M?

45. a passing fad.

    • That is also what naysayers said about the the first iPhone.

      • And the iPod. This is the legendary Thread 500, arguably the most important thread of its kind:

        http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=500

        Even the first page has gold, such as this:

        “Great just what the world needs, another freaking MP3 player. Go Steve! Where’s the Newton?!”

        and this:

        “hey – heres an idea Apple – rather than enter the world of gimmicks and toys, why dont you spend a little more time sorting out your pathetically expensive and crap server line up?”

        • Great post and an interesting read.

46. Hi Steve,

    thanks for reviewing this camera.

    Given you had extensive time testing various systems of late, what is your independent opinion regarding the following questions:

    If you had no camera equipment at all and US$5000 dollars to spend with the choice between the Leica T, Fuji X and a Micro Four Thirds system of your choice, where would you spend your money and why? (This would make a great blog post on your kind of blog).

    I don’t understand this sentence: “While the lenses do not come cheap, they are true Leica lenses through and through, only made in Japan to save YOU on the purchase price.” Panasonic manufactures Leica branded lenses in Japan for Micro Four Thirds, three of them to be precise. Are the new Leica T lenses superior to the Panasonic Leica lenses for Micro Four Thirds? If yes, why is that so, given they are probably produced by some third party in Japan with Panasonic most likely being on par with everybody else in Japan regarding their production quality in Japan? My honest first impression is that these new Leica T lenses made in Japan are much more expensive than Panasonic Leica lenses for Micro Four Thirds without any good reason and it will be hard for Leica to justify this added cost as the new T lenses will have to compare to the Panasonic Leica lenses more than they have to against Leica M lenses made in Germany. As far as I can judge without having tried the T myself yet, I’d say that if the T made in Japan lenses are true Leica lenses, so are the Panasonic Leica lenses.

    One more mini question about that: do the T lenses state somewhere on the lens body ‘made in Japan’?

    I’d be happy if you responded to this.

    Thanks for the write up and the images.

    Tobias W.

    • You pay for that extra little bit of optical performance, even if that is largely owned to the fine-tuning of the image processing rather than to hardware (sensor, lens grinding/coating/assembly).
      You pay for that extra little bit of haptics which however only applies to Leica R and M lenses with traditional focus helical, except perhaps the current “Summarit” line.
      You pay for the label.
      You pay, even with the lens, for the privilege of using a Leica M or T body, much less for using a Leica R/SL body.

      That “extra little bit” costs a lot more to achieve than just a “satisfactory” product.

      Offering only an iOS app, but no Android app for the T is logical. The T does not appeal to enthusiasts willing to research, to accept and to deal with product quirks, like the A7’s or M’s. The T appeals to a category of “premium consumers” who walk into a shop demanding the best (and cost no issue), willing to pay a lot for a sleek exterior design and user interface (no reading manual, smooth integration with other devices), upgrading from an iPhone rather than from any digital camera.

      • Hi Peter,

        I get that Leica is more expensive. The question is, for what?

        Optical performance is not absolute in regards to a brand. The whole Sigma ‘Art Lens’ versus Zeiss Otus story shows that Japanese camera and lens makers have massively upped their game – a much lower price point than the traditional heavy weights. A lens doesn’t need to cost $5000 to be at the top of the game, it can be made for a fraction of that price. Sigma has proven that. So unfortunate for Leica, I do not take their claims (or anybody else’s claim about them) for superior optical quality for granted.

        The image processing you’re talking about, isn’t even defined by Leica to the part that matters most. The sensor technology in that camera is most likely identical enough to other cameras on the market. The image processor probably not necessarily – but other mirrorless system makers had years of experience and several product iterations to get that right. Leica is still pretty new on the playing field, especially with the kind of image sensors they are using in their latest line-up. I do not think the T (or any other digital Leica) offers a considerable benefit over alternate options in this regards.

        You are right about paying for the label and the brand name. You are right about the superior feel and handling of true, made in Germany, full metal Leica lenses. That does not apply to the T lenses however, which are in feel and quality more akin to the Panasonic Leica lenses also made in Japan for Micro Four Thirds.

        The way you describe “premium consumers” reminds of Ken Rockwell’s “the Leica Man” stereotype. You’re probably spot on about this.

47. Maybe I missed something, but nothing about metering (modes), focus modes, etc. Unfortunately I think this review lack quite a bit of info relevant to evauating the camera. Must admit I skimmed the comments and skipped the video, but for such a long text I was hoping for more substance.

    Nice looking camera, a bit disappointed in this review 🙂 Hoping for updates!

    • Yes you missed lots skimming over the 10,000 words and missing the ace videeos

      • Well, I read the review and since posting watched the 32 minute video. Showing the menu choices is not the same as reviewing them.

        However, I have found one review evaluating a couple of metering and focus options.

48. Hi Steve, tanks for the review. Hâve you seen a longer zoom roadmap? I was about to dive for à Sony Rx10 as my travelling camera, the T becomes an option as I have an M Biogon, a 35 cron, and a 50 Nokton hanging around…That small zoom is cool but à longer reach would seal the deal. Mind you a Leica zoom with the reach of the Sony would end up being just as expensive as the whole RX10…

    • The two lenses coming this year are the 11-23 and 55-135. Other than that I have no clue.

49. Hmmm, Anyone know what is going on here?

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/161286755297?clk_rvr_id=625110169841&item=161286755297&lgeo=1&vectorid=229508

    • Looks like the dealer sold or is selling his dealer demo model and lenses, which he is not supposed to be doing. Most stores received a full demo set of the T and lenses. That is all that has been shipped out as of to date, until the end of May. Wonder if this dealer will get in trouble..they should.

      • Steve,

        Did you spot that the receipt was from Harrods, the very famous up-market department store in Knightsbridge, London?

        • No, I didn’t; wot’s Harrods?… 😉

          • Michiel,

            It is the largest department store in Europe and is to normal department stores as Rolls Royce is to cars.

            http://www.harrods.com/

            Check out their website and the brands they sell and you will get a flavour.

          • Is that shrine still there Terry? 😉

          • Michiel,

            I don’t know. I’ve never dared step inside the store, much too pricey for me. A quick google check and someone posted an image on 1st Sept. 2013, but the new Qatari owners may remove it after a suitable time after they purchased the store off Al Fayed. I understand that the new owners would like to get back the Royal patronage, which the store lost under Al Fayed. As for mere mortals, like me, I’m not really interested one way or the other. :o)

50. good review, i like ti UX no other camera is offering as of today…well done Leica …but still a stretch for many to reach 🙁 for the moment i will have to stick to my Fuji XE-1 hope to upgrade to Leica one day .. hope dies last

51. Wow! A really great review of this very interesting new Leica camera… From all the above comments by so many people, some loving it, some neutral, and some out right hating it, it is fair to say this Leica T is polarizing readers here as well as on many other sites/forums.

    I think this product is a new milestone for Leica because this camera contains features and functions that are departures from Leica’s core philosophy. Namely autofocusing lenses… As well as other automatic features not found on the M or even S system cameras.

    Photography as an art form continues to evolve, so photographers need to evolve their with their craft as well. No built-in EVF? Simply learn to shoot from the LCD screen. No big deal, and not so different from viewing, composing and critical focusing on a 4″ x 5″ ground glass of say a Speed Graflex from 70 years ago right? We’re humans, and we are supposed to be superior because we can adapt better than other life forms…. So just adapt and stop bellyaching.

    On a personal level, I had never been able to afford Leica products, but the asking price now becomes more accessible and hopefully I will find a way to get this camera.

    I do have a small complain regarding the price of the zoom lens… Regardless of it’s optical prowess and built quality, the specification and overall description suggest it is a kit lens. This is a big mistake by Leica to try pricing it otherwise, and a big factor in fueling the haters of this product. What Leica should do is withdraw this lens, and tweak it into a Quad Elmar lens providing fixed focal settings at 18mm, 24mm, 33mm, and 56mm. Like the WATE lens of the M system. Then without much redevelopment cost justify the premium pricing of the ‘kit lens’.

    While at same time keeping on the Leica reputation of optical mastery and difference from other manufacturers… Lol, 😉

    Thanks very much for your review Steve.

52. This seems like an exciting step for Leica, but does the T make the X-Vario redundant? the X-Vario wasn’t realised that long ago really, seems a big odd to me, the T would be a little more expensive with the zoom lens but considering longevity, that little extra spent make the T seem like a better option in the long run?

53. Steve, if it’s possible, I’d like you to ask someone at Leica why they released the 23mm (35mm equiv.) before, for example, a 34mm (50mm equiv.). The 50mm lens takes pride of place on the M (and the 75mm on the S). So why not the 34mm on the T?

    Once again, thank you for this review.

54. Hi Steve,

    Does the Leica T come with face detection?

    • Yes.

55. Looks nice, But there could be one thing that could effect sales for Leica and that is the new Sony A7s, it also takes M lenses via a adaptor and because it’s not up against a rangefinder the look and feel issues are irrelevant.

    • The only weakness of the A7 is when using wide angle Leica lenses IMO. Also to some FF is a weakness as you need to stop down more to get sufficient DOF. Many prefer APS-C, many prefer FF. I love FF sensors and the FF look which is why I own an M and adore the RX1 and A7. Totally different cameras for different people. You can buy an A7 for the cost of a T. So at the end of the day, will a T and 50 cron be better than an A7 and 50 cron? IN some ways, yes. In others no. With the T you have to buy the EVF, A7..it is included and built in. The T feels better in my hand, is much more quiet and feels “faster”. But the A7 will offer better high ISO, more creamy results and super shallow DOF if you want it. Two different experiences. The T will give better color without question.

56. Did I see a film mode in the menu? Please explain Steve!

    • By the way, Im a different John Paul than the the other guy who complained about this being an x vario, sincerely want to know about the film mode… huge fan by the way! keep up the good reviews! Please answer my question lol.

57. Don’t just sit there! OK

    I’ve read the review and the comments. I was personally looking forward to this camera. I love the I

58. Steve, is there a bulb function or equivalent to allow for exposures beyond 30 seconds?

59. Having read through the whole post once again, I’ve decide Jack Larson gets the award for the funniest entries. Humour has a place here at last!

60. Looking carefully at the camera specs and build and I am wondering, who will buy this camera? No matter how well the camera is made and it is obviously made to extremely high levels, digital cameras go out of date so quickly because of sensor development that it doesn’t make sense to me to spend a whole load of bucks on what is basically, a camera which is APS-C and which competes in a very hotly contested world of other extremely competent cameras at a third or less of it’s price. This seems to me to be trying to be the equivalent to the Contax G range of film cameras which, in their day were the best, along with Leica film cameras in the compact, interchangeable lens, film cameras. The Leica T, in my view, is like the Contax G, an exquisite jewel of a camera that is built for rich people to pose with, and, as such, will not sell, except to Leica afficionados and maybe not even to them. If it was full frame, it would sell like hot cakes even if the price was a $1000 more so I think Leica has made a mistake and the camera will bomb, time will tell.

    The body may well be made with a solid billet of alloy but it is still a sensor based digital camera of APS-C. I wonder when manufacturers will get the notion of a beautifully built camera like this with a sensor and electronics that can be upgraded so the money spent on a high quality camera will not be wasted when the inevitable mark 2 comes out. Wishful thinking.

61. Quoth SteveH: “The surprise is that there are NO buttons or dials on the back. It is 100% touch for the settings and menu. BTW, this is nothing like those Samsung Android cameras…”

    Which is funny, considering almost the entire electronics package in the T comes from Samsung…

    • Not true..

62. I agree that if this camera came from any other manufacturer than Leica, there would not be so much excitement about it. Limited native lens selection is another reason for me to stay away from it. EM1 is a better option.

63. Steve,

    Yours remain the best review site, for as much your enthusiasm, word selection, and simple hard work as is the fact that you are embraced and criticized by so many on any given review. That is the sign of independence! Keep it up.

    The question that to me is not quite answered within this review is how the new T has gained the immediate capacity to replace your beloved little OMD-EM1. I’m going to miss your consistent references to that as a go to camera for when you are personally shooting, the lens discussion you bring to the Micro 4/3 table, and your enthusiasm as to the format. I read that you are keeping your Panasonic, but mostly as I understand it for video work. I’ll too miss the OM1 images you post from time to time. It seems such a joy to you personally, and despite all the praise for this new APSC offering I still don’t have a real sense of why it beats the EM1 as your non-full-sensor alternative to your M240.

    This query is particularly important to me as I am trying to decide which system to invest in as my ONLY camera: Micro 4/3, Sony A-series FF, or the best APSC offering which seems clearly to be the Leica T.

    • We have to move with the times ….film will not be available for much longer and I’ve finished with darkroom printing and chemicals Tri-x and HP5 years ago. Bite the bullet sell up and get a Leica T system together..I am, just like I think Stev,,Kristian and many more will as they can use the amazing M glass and focus manually.

64. ” If Apple made a digital camera, this would be it!” Sure it would… 😉

65. Steve,

    Thanks for the nice and useful review. It seems that we share many common view points and experiences. I have an E-M1 and the 21/3.4, 35/1.4, 50/2 M Lenses. I find that in low light the 21/3.4 is not as easy to focus using the E-M1. From what I read the T has a 6X magnification vs the 14x of E-M1. So if you would compare the manual focusing of the two cameras which one is better? Is the EVF needed or helpful in MF?

    I love the looks and the ergonomics. I cannot wait to see what the new M will be like? Based on the reviews that I have read, after reviewing the T at the local store I will be tempted to sell my E-M1. E-M1 is a nice camera.

    • Manually focusing for me was easy, I rarely used magnification as the EVF was very crisp and easy to see when the image was in focus. I only used the 3X mag when I did use it.

66. I am the proud owner of an M240 with 28 and 50 crons and a 90 sumarit. The set-up is superb as are the lenses. I enjoy using it like no other camera that I’ve owned apart from my vintage Rolleicord and marvel at its simplicity of operation.
    However, coming from AF, I have to admit that there are times when I feel a little lazy or am tired of manual focussing. Even with the EVF. The high pixel-count and the ability to pixel-peep with the digital M240 means that it is critical to hit focus spot-on. It may have been a little easier with film Ms but the M240 is very unforgiving.
    So, to me the main attraction of the T is the AF. Finally a Leica interchangeable lens camera with AF. My eyesight is still good but there are many amongst us who cannot enjoy their Ms due to poor or failing eyesight. And it’s good to know that when my eyesight is also on the wain, that I do not need to focus manually if I want to continue using Leicas.
    The design of the T is simply breath-taking. I, like many people today, crave beautifully-designed objects (such as Apple products) and the T will be as cool and iconic as the Ms in years to come. The solidity of the milled aluminium will provide tactile presence and exude high-quality. The uber-moderne touch screen looks like being a software (UI) as well as hardware tour-de-force.
    The T adorned witht the EVF, looks extremely stylish, as does the smart new strap and adds to the over-all aesthetic appeal of the T.
    All in all a very desireable package indeed.
    But all said and done, I am on the fence about getting one right now as I am still loving my M system. If the T has focus-peaking then I will most likely get one to use as a travel camera (the M240 is quite heavy) so that I can also use my M lenses. But I think it doesnt (have focus-peaking???) – which is a HUGE ommission for me.
    Will the T be a hit? I do think that they will sell well (comparatively) but even more so if the prices were lower. The design is so strong and the Leica name so famous in the photo world that even if the camera was mass-produced in Japan (Iphones are made in China) to hit a lower price point, it would still sell well.
    Apple turned around their fortunes with the Ipod and then the Iphone which were premium-priced but still affordable by the mass market. They are made in China but this doesnt deter the general public from buying (and manyworshiping) them.
    Leica could easiliy have used this strategy with the T to turn around their fortunes. The T could have been the mass-market Leica. But at the rumoured prices – especially for the lenses, it will only appeal to a limited market. Shame, as the T deserves more.

67. Thanks Steve for your clarification on the fact that it is impossible to use the EVF and trigger a radio slave unit at the same time with either the X-Vario or the T cameras. The Leica T camera system would work for me at wedding receptions, event photography, and magazine editorials if (and only if ) I could use the EVF and my auxiliary lights simultaneously.

    At 61 I am tired of lugging the 1Ds III and 24-70 combo around for four hours and would prefer to shoot the lesser expensive Leica equipment in those event situations. The T camera is producing professional images and has the tank-like build quality which is very appealing. Sorry Leica, but for all of your genius in lens quality, camera innovation and construction, you eliminated the very population that would grow your sales: The working professional. Sincerely Disappointed!

    • Yes, at 61 (my age as well), “tired” becomes a relevant issue. I could give you some tips.

    • M.A.D. …

      You won’t be able to use the EVF and external lights at the same time on the Leica T.

      Have you considered the Fuji X-System? The X-T1 would probably serve you much better:

      – Better sensor with much better high ISO performance

      – Bigger, brighter EVF (and, yes, you can still use Pocket Wizards, etc.)

      – Less weight

      – A VERY quiet shutter; quietest focal plane shutter I’ve heard (maybe about the same as the Olympus OM-D E-M5, I should say)

      – A greater range of optics (with more on the way), and a greater assortment of faster glass.

      – Fully weather resistant

      – Wireless remote control from your smartphone; wireless upload to your smartphone

68. Hi Steve

    Good review, thanks for the effort you put into the website.

    I’ve aspired to Leica for some time and I’m seriously considering the T with the fixed 23mm.

    To my mind, the age of the DSLR is over. Why do we need a mirror which flips up and down in the digital age? They used to say, “With a DSLR you see what the lens sees.” But with an EVF you see what the sensor sees.

    If the T sells well, I fully expect a full frame autofocus touchscreen camera from Leica in a few years. The day may come when they move on from the rangefinder ethos. Sounds like heresy, but if the T was full frame it’d be perfect.

69. Steve,

    Aside from your great review, that photograph of the two gentlemen betting on horses (and loosing you add) is outstanding. It captures the environment, mood and connection between the subjects.

70. Very interesting review. For the first time in a long time I’m actually interested in the Leica offerings….That zoom looks fantastic actually despite the ‘slow’ paper spec…I wonder how it would fair in the dull light of the UK.

    Every since I’ve made the switch to mirror less I fully get the comment about photographing life….I really like high quality small camera’s with great glass…

71. Nice and extensive report Steve, a pleasure to read this one

    You write: THIS IS LEICA..a real German-made Leica will NEVER EVER be cheap my friends
    True, but 1800 dollar, will be euro’s here, is good pricing !

    You it’s Apple Like ! 2 remarks:

    1. Yes for the back, no buttons, touchscreen, simple…love it
    2. No for the extra EVF, Apple always goes for stat-of-the-art

    Last but not least I share your preference for a build in EVF/OVF, if they go from 1800 to 2300…a no brainer
    I think The Fuji still have there an advantage with the Hibryde View Finder

    Overal…. nice camera and lens this T

    • Hans,

      Is it good pricing? First deduct your countries VAT to arrive at a pre-tax cost. This represents the base price in the EU. In the UK our VAT is 20% and I’ve seen suppliers listing the camera at £1,350 for the body, so the base price is £1,125. The £ is strong against the $ at the moment, so the conversion into $ is pretty much on target at $1,890.

      But there is a flaw in my figures. Have you any idea what it is? In the EU there is no import duty between EU member countries, but goods to the US should attract US import tariffs and/or duties. But my figures don’t allow for this. So, on the face of it, Leica could be subsidising its US shipments. I understand that some, but not most, States in the US have local taxes, but prices are invariably quoted without the tax. So now you may see the EU price may not be such a good deal after all.

      However, the potential issue for US customers will be when the exchange rates fall against the $ when it turns and strengthens, we in the EU will be immune from this, but the US won’t then watch the price of the T rise accordingly. Unless, of course, Leica really does subsidise its US exports.

      I did try researching US import regulations etc, but it was so complicated I had to give up.

      • Hi Terry

        Yeah it is hard to understand the Why in this.
        Harley-Davidson just use 1 world wide price, so there are very minor differences.
        VAT in Holland is 21 % and there are local differences per country concerning warrantee and tax on electronics for environmental issue.
        Apple is doing the same as HD, however i bought my iPad Min 10% cheaper in Thailand due to tax difference.

        The last time I bought an ONA Bag at B&H, On a is Italian=Europe, With customs Vat and Transport i was till 20% cheaper than being in Holland

        So with Leica most of the time this ‘German produced’ product is cheaper in THE USA than in Germany…beats me.

        Europe is now talking for a free-trading zone which includes europe and usa, but u wil still see differences in local taxes per state or environmental taxes.

        And the strange thing is when the Dollar is weakening opposite de Euro, the Euoprice of USA based products stay the same.

        So subsidize could be a mechanism, depends on market size. Europe is about 450 million people,vs USA 320million…

        So most of the time i look at USA price + VAT (21) + transport… is that still cheaper than here in NL ibuy it there, even so for used-goods

72. Steve,

    Good review as always. Thanks.

    Leica should have this before the mini M. If they can crank out enough volume, it will out sell the M, mini M and micro M combined. Hand made, that is questionable. Cast magnesium should be good enough for it.

    APSC sensor is good enough to live with for me. Does Lica going to produce an adapter for R lenses? If not, will third party vender allowed to produce it?

73. Futuric body; antiquated sensor.

    • It is Sony’s latest CMOS APS-C Sensor and Sony are the market leader each pixel is multi faceted and being CMOS its the most efficient user of power (very low drain).
      Advanced Photo System type-C (APS-C) is an image sensor format approximately equivalent in size to the Advanced Photo System “classic” size negatives. These negatives were 25.1 × 16.7 mm and had an aspect ratio of 3:2.

      Sensors meeting these approximate dimensions are used in many digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs), Mirror less interchangeable-lens cameras (DSLMs), in addition to a few large-sensor live-preview digital cameras (such as the Sony DSC-R1, Sigma DP1 and Leica X1) and a few digital range-finders (e.g., the Epson R-D1).

      Advantages and disadvantages[edit]
      Comparing smaller and larger sensors, keeping all other factors the same, image quality increases with a larger sensor due to its higher resolution. Besides yielding a lower resolution (or lower sensitivity), smaller sensors also have other effects. They increase the apparent focal length of the lens, which means that the lens appears to be “longer” (e.g. 450 mm instead of 300 mm). If the lens is not perfect, geometric distortions (near the picture edges in particular) may decrease with a smaller sensor. And of course, camera size, weight and price decrease as sensor size decreases.
      So Leica have chosen wisely and to keep it compact.

74. Looks like a fantastic camera. When you demonstrated the pop-up flash and battery, I just died. So elegant and cool.

    I do wonder about two things: Is there a quick way of getting the image preview to zoom in to 1:1 to check focus? DSLR’s usually have a button for this.

    For long exposure photography I have doubts that this camera is capable. Does it camera have a bulb-mode? And what about filters like NDs and polarizers?

75. One more thing Steve… Leave the critics (of your reviews) to their work. Zero stress is its own reward.

76. Great review Steve. My only quarrel is in comparison with your previous review of the X Vario. It seems the T has, at its core, the same superb IQ performance. It appears that the T camera has the same slow variable focal length lens issue that you pointed to as a serious flaw in the X Vario but you do not with the T. I understand the new styling and handling of the T makes the comparison difficult, but is the T a real step up between the X Vario and the M system? For $1400 less than the T with zoom lens one can have the black X Vario. The T may bridge the gap between X and M but with the limitations of the T do you think the X Vario is still as flawed as you described in your review?

    • You ust have missed where I mentioned this in the T review. The X-Vario is stuck with that slow zoom as it is an attached permanent lens. The T is not stuck with the slow zoom. I said when the lights get low or you want some shallow DOF take off that zoom and plop on a fast aperture lens, either the new 23 f/2 or an M lens. This is something you can not do on the vario. Also, the vario was large, hard to hold, had button placement issues, etc.

      • I suppose my complaint is joined by the fact that plopping on the f/2 adds another $1800 to the kit. I know the interchangeable lens factor adds value and the new design adds to the experience but I believe the x vario’s performance with a fixed lens (and considering price) is a more appealing choice. The T may add value for one stepping down from a M system with available lenses, but for a photog, with a budget, I’m not sure the T makes sense. Although, it is beautiful.

      • no no the xvario is a very fine camera… with the better german made zoom!!!!

        • Yes, Yes, Yes the Leica T Japanese zoom uses glass made in Germany, so lens quality is identical to X-VARIO just the lens body/mount and assembly is done in Japan (as are top Nikon/Canon/Olympus/Fuji)

        • Portuguese made zoom. 😉

          • The Portugal factory makes metal parts only like top and bottom cameraplates and the T to M adaptor it does not make glass.

77. Steve. will the leica x2 dig view finder work with the T Body

    • No it will not, will not fit.

78. I think Steve’s commentary regarding Leica design decisions is spot on in regard to it’s comparison to Apple. The difference is that when one purchases a MacBook Pro or an iMac, you’re not charged extra for the inclusion of a screen or keyboard. Heck, many of the basics are already included with zero bloatware when you buy a Mac.

    In a number of ways, Apple is a lifestyle brand, albeit one that many people prefer from a UI perspective to PC’s. In most ways, Leica has become a lifestyle brand like Hermes or some other high fashion, expensive brand. It doesn’t mean those expensive brands are of poor quality. It just means that the value proposition doesn’t make a heck of a lot of sense if you value, well, value.

    Unlike Apple, Leica asks that you purchase a lens to use with their $1850 crop sensor camera. They ask that you purchase a $350 lens adaptor to use legacy Leica lenses and they ask that you pay $600 for an EVF. And how much was their standard zoom lens again? I am pleasantly surprised to see the inclusion of a built in flash, though.

    It’s a really cool design for a camera, as all Leicas have been, but that red dot means big bucks. Lifestyle products are never cheap, nor are they for everyone. I bet that when I have a chance to see and hold a T, I’ll like it. But I don’t see ever wanting one.

    • But Apple products are relatively free of problems. Leica? And, unlike Leica, Apple products don’t cost twice as much as they should.

79. Steve, I like your reviews. Can you comment on the shutter lag with the Leica T you reviewed?

    • Well the camera I had was not final but when I shot an image I did notice a lag in the EVF when it was replaying the image. If I was in C mode it did not have a problem but in single shot mode there was a slight lag between shots. This is not really shutter lag though. As for that, I did not notice any real shutter lag as I think most cameras today are pretty good in this regard.

80. The new T zoom is a relatively “slow” zoom with f/3.5-5.6 uncannily similar to the zoom on the X Vario with f/3.5-6.4 but you seem to go easier on the T zoom compared to the justified negatives in your review of the X Vario. Might you go into the differences between them that led to the different conclusions. I also note that Leica “corrected” the zoom settings on the X Vario to reflect their 35mm equivalents where that isn’t done on the T zoom. Did you get any idea of Leica’s thinking of this?
    Keep up the GREAT work. Because of you I purchased an X2 and an M 240 and now the T is definitely calling me!

    • Not true at all. I stated in the Vario review that the zoom was superb..in good light. Amazing in fact. Same thing I say with the T version. The + thing with the T is that you can take that zoom off when the lights get low. I would not use the zoom in low light. I’d swap it for the 23 or an M lens.

      • With my X Vario, when in low light I just crank up the ISO. The camera is quite forgiving, especially in b&w where higher ISO tends to mimic film grain.

        I use my X Vario mostly for b&w. But if I’m in a dark environment shooting color, I attach the superb Leica SF 58 strobe flash set to bounce. The resulting images are excellent.

        Steve, as usual you produced the finest, most comprehensive review. But I think my next Leica will be an M 240. Or perhaps I’ll wait till the next M comes out with a touch-screen and a built-in EVF that can be switched from the rangefinder option.

81. Ok, I have to admit I feel like I am missing something with this camera.

    Admittedly I have not held one or used one, so anything I say must be taken with a grain of salt. That being said, The Leica T strikes me as a Sony NEX with just better materials on the body construction and a higher price tag. Now there is nothing wrong with that mind you, but I don’t feel like it is a lot to get excited about either. I just don’t see a lot of value or practical reasoning for buying one.

    Or am I completely missing something?

    I love Leica mind you, and am the owner of several Leica rangefinders, however with all the mirror-less options out there right now, on paper I just don’t see any real advantages or reasons to buy the Leica T unless you just really want that premium body construction.

    • Well, in use it is nothing like a NEX. Thats about all I can say. Best bet would be to go to a Leica store and check it out, or rent one when it is released. It’s not a game changing camera, and as I said, any other camera today will do great but it all comes down to what each person likes. The T does have unique IQ that matches the X1, X2 Vario, etc in the look of the files (crisp, sharp, fantastic color).

82. Fantastic review as usual Steve its no wonder Leica chose you to test and review a pre-production model, Kristian Dowling had the camera for a little while longer and got 2 firmware updates ironing out any minor “bugs”.
    Looks like the LEICA T will be my 7th Leica in my collection as soon as funds will allow
    Regards
    Jamie Bell
    Author of “Yo Leica” on Kindle, IOS, Android and PC

83. Great review. What an interesting camera. Leica already has a great ff small camera in the m9/mm/m240, so releasing a Smaller sensor camera makes sense. I amazed that anyone would be critical of the sensor in the T camera. The Leica Vario currently has the best IQ of any non ff camera (including all of Fuji’s) on the market. To get the same if not better iq with multiple lenses …. Amazing. I currently have a M9, x100 and d700 so it’s probably not for me. I still respect the camera however… And once a few more lenses are out…. Maybe the x100 gets replaced.

84. interesting question. The researchers have not yet, to my knowledge done comparative blind testing while subjects are hooked to those PERT brain scanners, on different scanners.
    The take away from studying other products is as follows:
    A good result seems to involve activity in the areas of the brain involving what ever the products utility is, and some of the pleasure are. When an iconic logo is present on the product, you get more pleasure activity, and activity in the areas related to perception of status.

85. I have been thinking about getting this for a while, but I decided to pass it after some research. I like IQ and specular body design, but the lenses are too expensive, although it might be a bargain price for Leica lens. I will keep using A7 + Contax G lenses for my digital rig. I really wish Zeiss or their partner will release Zeiss Ikon or Contax G digital for a bit more reasonable price.

86. How come Steve liked the Nikon V1? I don’t think the same person could be owned by Leica!

87. I wonder how different the review and comments would be if this exact system had a different brand name on it.

    • Only a manufacturer like Hassleblad or Carl Zeiss could get near this quality

      • You mean like the Hasselblad Lunar? Or maybe the Hasselblad H-Series medium format cameras and lenses co-designed and built by Fujifilm?

88. Thanks for the thoroughly awesome review Steve! What a cool camera! I think it’s wonderful that Leica – a company that truly respects beautiful industrial design, simplicity, and the analog connection a human has with the camera – has created a digital body that seems to have the most intuitive and attractive user interface, the most stunning housing, and sweet image quality at a price that is only a few hundred dollars more than an EM-1, or XT-1. I’m really excited to try one 🙂

89. .

90. Not worth selling my a7R for this. Leica T is just another point-and-shoot with different lenses. BTW, made in Portugal, not Germany.

    • made in Portugal?

      • Leica did build a brand-new production facility in Portugal, last year I believe, but according to Leica there is a new production facility in Wetzlar set up specifically for the T. So unless something comes to light to the contrary, and shame on Leica if it does, then we should believe what they say.

        But, the sensor is from Sony, so this begs the question who makes the camera’s electronics eg. processing engine? I doubt that Leica makes every internal component in-house, so apart from the machined body shell, would “Assembled in Germany” be a truer reflection?

        • The glass is German made, and Sony make sensors for many,many makes so should 98% off the worlds cameras have the “made in XXXXXX” adjusted? Even the latest Rolls Royce is mostly made in Austria but designed by the UK so get real.

          • Jay,

            “so get real”.

            Unfortunately, you are so off the mark with this statement. There is a lot of kudos attaching to “Made in Germany”. Why is it that film Leica’s, and Rollei come to it, that have “Made in Germany” attract more attention that those that have “Made in Portugal” or “Made in Singapore” on them?

            German glass? But the lens is MADE in Japan and this is what I’d expect to see stamped on it. This in no way implies that it will be inferior, Leica wouldn’t allow that, but to a Leicaphile, would he not prefer to see “Made in Germany”?

            Have you not heard of companies that source all their product components abroad but claim the product is made (note: not assembled) by them?

            And as for Rolls Royce? Well no British motor enthusiast considers them British. They are German cars now, German owned and made, not British. So they legitimately carry the Made in Germany, or wherever, label. As for design, if the designs only were produced by a Nigerian, would that make it a Nigerian car?

            I stand by my original statement: if the majority of the innards are not made by Leica but sourced from outside (Germany) then the “Made in Germany” is a misnomer.

          • Regarding the “Made in xx” comments, IMHO, in today’s “global village”, I admit it’s getting hard to pinpoint the actual place of “origin” of any complex item. For example, I still consider the Honda Accord a Japanese vehicle even though it’s “made” (assembled) in Tennessee! By all accounts, it’s still a “Quality” car. I think the same can be said of lenses or cameras. As long as the design is good, and the assembly (including raw materials) is up to the specs of the “brand”, then I think it’s reasonable to expect performance to be of an equally high caliber. That said, I too, still cling to this mindset that if it’s designed AND assembled in Germany, for example, it MUST be superior in quality. But logically, I do realize that Japan and other countries can also produce very high Quality items as well!

          • stevetqp,

            On a slightly different tack, but apropos to this subject, there is a practice in the UK whereby a number of food suppliers source product from outside of the UK, such as chickens, and which are bred in inferior conditions contrary to the latest EU Regulations. They are not British chickens, but because they then process them within the UK, they display the Union Flag on the package.

            This is is a deliberate ploy to confuse British consumers who think they are buying British produce, and naturally, the higher price reflects this,

            Is this important to know? Yes, it is, as there is now a widespread understanding in the UK of the suffering the chickens endure under the intensive battery farming methods, now banned in the EU, but prevalent on non-EU countries, and the majority of the British public abhor such conditions and prefer buying chickens who have not suffered.

            With apologies to anyone expecting a Leica T connotation. :o)

          • Point taken, TerryB…I agree that it is sometimes good to know the origin of a product. Thanks for the education about “chickens”…

          • Steve,

            I love chicken, so the best I can wish them is a happy life before they give it up to please me. And good one, the EU, we Brits are not all against it.

        • I saw an article that says all internal electronics are designed by Panasonic, a company that is co-funded by Leica and Panasonic in Germany. X-Vario was the first product that they did.

          • False information. Panasonic had nothing to do with the camera or the lenses. That was a rumor before the camera was launched, speculation. Not true, and yes, I verified this with Leica.

          • This is very interesting, especially as it has been stated that Panasonic will not be making the lenses.

            Nothing wrong with that decision, especially if Leica doesn’t feel Panasonic lens facilities are up to what they want in what one would call a proper Leica lens, as opposed to a Leica designed and badged Panasonic lens on a Panasonic camera.

            On some Panasonic mini-DVD video cameras, they produced models that looked very close in specs, but one had the Leica branded lens, and the other had a Panasonic lens. A friend has a Leica badged version and I have the Panny. And do you know what? We can’t tell the difference.

            It may make sense in the context that Leica does not want untoward associations with their badged lenses on Panny cameras. It could send out a wrong message, if people were saying it isn’t a Leica lens, as we all know the Panny lenses aren’t, however good they may be. Wasn’t it Coca-Cola that made the point “It’s the real thing”?

          • It’s all semantics. Factories are factories, Leica can say Panasonic doesn’t make the lenses, but the factory that also makes Panny lenses is probably the factory making these new T lenses. Being involved with electronics supply chain, it’s funny how much people care about badges on products and where they are made, when in the end, there really aren’t that many differences between factories. What’s different is the level of engagement the customer (Leica) has with the factory in ensuring the quality of the product doesn’t drop, and it’s obvious Leica will be more involved than a bigger company like Panasonic.

    • Only the M to T mount converter is made in Portugal as it says on the side labelling

    • It is indeed partly made in Portugal.

      Today there was an article on a portuguese newspaper about the new Leica facility in Portugal. They are making the Aluminium Unibodies – Including the hand-polishing.

      Then, the bodies are sent to Germany for the final assembly – I can imagine that this is made on a automatised production line, to very strict quality standards, like everything in Germany.

      Workers in Portugal are very skilled, and the salaries are much lower than in Germany. Would you really expect German workers to polish a camera for 45min, and sell it for under 2000 dollars 😉 ?

      • Joao,

        This is another nail in the coffin for the “Made in Germany” tag for the T1. OK, the body and finishing is in a Leica facility, but in Portugal, not Germany, and so is the adaptor. The EVF will undoubtedly be of Japanese origin, the lens is made in Japan, although apparently using Leica glass. The sensor is Japanese and no doubt much of the electronics could be as well.

        Looking at the touch screen, one reads “Leica Camera Wetzlar Germany”. This is not the same as “Made in Germany”. But it is sailing close to the wind and many may not appreciate the difference.

        The Portuguese workers will be every bit as skilled as those in Germany, I’ve no doubt about that, otherwise Leica wouldn’t be using them.

      • Yes. if the skilled Portugese can polish for 45 minutes, why can’t the skilled Germans do the same? so tell me again, WHY are Leica’s so expensive? Because they are made in Germany? Really?Or because they are made cheaper in Portugal and then sold at a German price to the rest of the world? I hope at least the Portugese workers get a better than average local salary for working on a product that is going to be sold at a premium price.

        • FACT: German workers will get paid more than the Portugese workers. If it was hand polished..every single T..in Germany the price would be $3500 for the body only. Even being polished in Portugese, if indeed this is the factual truth (I have yet to confirm this with Leica) makes no difference. It is still a human being dedicated to his job with just as much worth to him as a German worker. Canon, Nikon, sony, Olympus..no other camera company takes this kind of care to assemble a camera. You get what you pay for. You also get pride of ownership. Many people love this aspect of Leica and some do not get it, and never will as they do not care about such things (usually because they have never experienced it). Any way you look at it, Leica has ALWAYS been expensive. ALWAYS. They have never been cheap or competitive with Nikon, Canon or anyone else. Why do some think it is a shocker after all of these years? But pre-orders have been very strong as I predicted so it is already doing well for Leica. They are also very committed to growing this new T system and I see new lenses, fast primes and by the time a 2nd body is released I will bet money that it has an integrated EVF, but this is at least 3 years away.

          • Steve,

            I can’t see how one German worker polishing one body can possibly add $1,700 to the price. Surely, if anything, it should only be the difference between what the Portuguese finisher gets paid per hour and what his equivalent German co-worker gets?

          • It is never like this with ANY business or ANY product! You should know this. Look at any high end product made in Germany (Cameras, Cars, Etc), Italy (Sonus Faber Speakers, high end espresso machines) – there is a price to pay for it. Always.

          • Steve,

            I don’t disagree with you as a generality, but you DID say that if a German polished the body, it would cost $3,500 (each). So this means that the only change in the production line was getting a German to do the polishing, and therefore the only variant in the production cost was the hourly wage paid to a German. And it only takes 45 mins for the polishing anyway.

            So following your line of thinking, 45 minutes input from this German worker has added $1,800 to the price of each and every T.

            In your response, you have confused total overall production costs with the input cost of just one part of the production chain.

          • Hey everyone,

            Of course it is about costs. Work is cheaper in Portugal than in Germany. However, Leica has a tradition of working in Portugal. They have been producing parts for cameras there for about 40 years and some of the workers have worked there for way over 20 years. It is also the only Leica facility outside Germany. So we are not talking about China-low-cost standards. Those are very skilled people.

            I have read that the making of the unibody is a very complicated process and it is even on the limit of what is possible to make with aluminium. If you think about all the R&D costs – They have to pay back the investment and cannot sell the camera for peanuts.

            In times when electronic manufacturers have left the US and Europe for lower income countries, it is still nice to have brands which still manufacture their products in the EU. Think about Apple and the new Mac Pro made in the US. It is nice.

            With that said, I don’t know how much of the Leica M is made in Portugal… I have no sources on that.

            I just wanted to point out, that the video of the guy polishing the camera, was probably not filmed in Germany 😉

            Joao

          • When something is made in small quantities by any factory, the cost is much much higher to produce than factories that pump out products made by the thousands. Leica will make a much much smaller amount of the T than say Olympus makes of the E-M1. This raises production costs. Anyone who has ever designed a product from scratch knows the cost of not only R&D but the cost of getting that product made in a factory. If that factory is not in China when you make your small run of mostly hand assembles products it is going to cost you a fortune to produce. This is another reason why Leica’s are so expensive. They are made in very small quantities when compared to Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, etc. Add in the premium materials, hand assembly, etc etc and you have a camera that will of course cost more than the average mirror less that is pumped out by the thousands using plastic. Many do not even think or know about this fact.

          • It’s called “greed.” Speaking as someone who works in components supply chain for an airplane electronics manufacurer, cost of materials and factory labor isn’t much of a factor in final product price, especially with robots doing all the precision work. The major costs are in overheads. Leica camera isn’t a big company and they are outsourcing much of their production for the T, so what’s left is the profit they want to make from the little red dot. There’s a reason Apple makes the most profit out of all electronics manufacturers, high margin, pure and simple.

          • “German craftsmanship” by portuguese workers in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. The sources say that “90% of the camera is made in Portugal.” The final assembly is made in Germany to receive the “Made in Germany” label, based on the current origin rules of the European Commission.

            Sources:
            http://www.businessinsider.com/made-in-germany-2012-1
            http://www.comercialfoto.pt/blog/20133/leica-inaugura-nova-fabrica-portugal.aspx
            http://www.portugalglobal.pt/PT/PortugalNews/RevistaImprensaNacional/Empresas/Documents/Leica_DN280414.pdf
            http://www.jn.pt/PaginaInicial/Economia/Interior.aspx?content_id=3932829&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JN-ECONOMIA+%28JN+-+Economia%29
            http://p3.publico.pt/cultura/design/12562/leica-mostra-em-portugal-100-anos-de-maquinas-fotograficas-binoculos-e-miras

91. Steve, where is the EVF made? Is it metal like the wonderful Sony EVF I use on my RX1R or cheap plastic like the one I have on my X Vario?

    • It is plastic and no idea who makes it…yet. Trying to find out.

      • It doesn’t say on the info plate when you tilt the finder up?

        I can’t imagine the new T can match my RX1R in overall IQ. I’m constantly amazed at how great the photos look with this camera.

        My X Vario comes close. But still there’s a depth and clarity I get from the Sony that places it at the very pinnacle of quality.

        • The T can never match the RX1 in the look and feel of the photos it puts out. It can beat it sharpness (by a teeny margin) but you will never get the RX1 look from a T and you will never get the T look from an RX1. They give out totally different signatures.

92. Thanks for the review Steve. How you rate the Leica T701 compared to the PEN E-P5. I’m owner of a E-PM1 with zuiko 17mm 2.8 / voigt 25mm 0.95 / 45mm 1.8. I had a Coolpix A but sold it for it’s slow autofocus. I love olympus fast autofocus en superb image stabilisation. I’m ready to get myself a E-P5, but there’s still doubt to maybe get this Leica. I just love the Leica color rendering. The M system is far above my budget, this isn’t. Any suggestions?

    • I love the E-P5, it’s a superb camera and I have not had one issue with the so called shutter shock with the camera. The T is much different. It will AF a little slower than the E-P5 and E-M1. It will not have the 5-Axis (Leica says no IS to maximize IQ) so you may miss it. My suggestion is to rent one when it comes out for a few days or a week. Lensrentals is awesome for this, I rent things all of the time! (and yes, I pay 100% for them even though they are a sponsor). The T is really fun to shoot, to hold, even to learn with. But the E-P5 is the same way so hard to say!

      • Thank you Steve. For sharing with us and the world your passion and the joy for the photographic experience. This is why we (I) read your site, make my purchases through it and will continue to do so.

      • Thanks Steve. I just pulled the trigger and got a refurbished E-P5 on Ebay.

      • Thanks Steve for excellent review.
        Is there a way to use the camera tethered?
        At least there should be a way to remotely release the shutter?
        Re manufacturing the body from Al block:
        It might be quite economical, since virtually no expensive tooling is required. Design goes from CAD to machine rather quickly. One can get the prototype overnight. This approach might save 1/2 yr from design to production
        For production there is no need for expensive tooling. Molds are costly and are advantageous mainly for high volume production.
        NC machine can make 10+ housings/hr. It could run 24/7, almost.
        One can double the production rate just by getting another machine.

93. Steve, will the VF-2 by olympus evf work on the leica T?

    • NO..does not fit, different design.

94. Steve, does the T have a bulb mode?

95. Touch screen on a Leica is a deal breaker for me.

96. I have read Steve’s reviews over the years with interest. Unfortunately this review felt like he is now ‘owned’ by Leica – I guess this is what happens when an independent reviewer is invited into the elite circle of early reviewers. Give a bad review… and you don’t get invited again. So sadly, this is a review that I take with a pinch of salt – too many things don’t add-up….

    • Lol, this is too funny. “Owned” by Leica. I have been reviewing Leica since the M7. I have been invited and dlown to Berlin by Leica (Launch of the MM) and what did I write in my report, live from Berlin? That they screwed it all up. I made them a bit angry with what I wrote. I reviewed the X-Vario and told the truth about it. Leica did not like that so much. I always write the facts, the truth and the real story, no matter what.

      It sickens me that idiots like yourself come here to my site, which is 100% free to you, that I work my ass off on every single day and write idiotic and outright stupid comments like the one you just wrote.

      I will always tell the truth about ANY camera I write about, no matter who makes it. If I like it you will know. If I do not you will know. The fact is that the T is a superb camera system, I ordered one and am paying for it with my own money. I would never do this if it was sub-par.

      So stop the nonsense and if you feel the way you do, I suggest not wasting my bandwidth by being here. I love how when I positively review ANY brand I am labeled a fanboy of that brand and it is ridiculous. To date I have been called an Olympus Fanboy, A Sony Fanboy, A Leica fanboy, a Ricoh fanboy – a few more. As for being “in the elite circle or early reviewers” – I have been in that circle for many years now, nothing has changed.

      TIP: If you spent your life being positive instead of being negative on everyone around you then your life would be much happier. But I suggest not coming here anymore.

      • lol,lol.
        Well said Steve
        I have to agree with every comment you just made above.
        Excellent inpartial review

      • Steve,

        I think you’re a gear fanboy and you’ve built a business based on this. That’s really cool. I think we all are and believe that’s why we keep coming back for our fix.

        I enjoy your perspective, and you write with great enthusiasm. So what if people come to different conclusions? I’ve reached different conclusions than you quite frequently and that makes the exchange of ideas much more fun, which is what this hobby should be, no? Besides, put 3 gear fanboys in a room and you’ll get 5 opinions. And they’re all 100% correct!!!

    • This is a little harsh. OK, everyone knows Steve’s reviews are full of hyperbole, and the superlative “awesome” gets over-used (to the extent he may have to invent a word to better it, :oD) but readers should be able to read between the lines and form an independent opinion.

      He publishes images using lenses he, subjectively, tests and we can all see them. To be honest, I don’t much care for those from the T, I don’t see much in the IQ at all that Steve seems to, and we are looking at the same images.

      • Something happened and my last sentence got missed off.

        My posting should end with

        “But to say he is now “owned” by Leica is a ridiculous and stupid comment.”

        • I dont think Steve is bought and paid for by Leica, but I cant see anything even remotely special with this camera, especially for the laugh out loud stupid price. I would never, EVER pay good money for this epic failure by Leica.

          • Hey Joker,
            Perhaps “epic failure” is a bit harsh… The Quality of Leica products, particularly their lenses, is irrefutable. I would be more inclined to call this “T” System a niche product.

      • Well, we’re all human, and Steve appears to own this site. How’s that for TRUTH staring you in the face? Anyway, I’d appreciate a little (maybe a lot) less hyperbole, and some more humour in the comments section. As for the reviews? I can make up my own mind; I don’t let others make my buying decisions

      • If I want to see more generic review, I just go to the other site. What I like most about Steve’s review is he is biased in very convincing way. It’s not easy to review like him.

        • This is an interesting concept: “being biased in a very convincing way”. One is either biased, or one is not. If one takes the corollary of what you said, how would someone come across who was biased in an unconvincing way?

          • Unconvincing (because biased) to those with sound judgement, very convincing to the gullible.

            Easy.

97. The font they’ve used for the touchscreen interface is ugly and hard to read – and in upper case! I realise they use it on their lenses, but a touchscreen interface is an altogether different animal and they need to license and use something modern, legible and attractive. Please, Steve, if you can channel suggestions back to them consider channelling this one. I know you too are heavily into good design (those awesome speakers)!

    • A touchscreen on a “serious” camera. Oh to have an M6.

98. Hi Steve and thanks for the effort. Really appreciate it. It was fun to read and I really liked the images.

    Allow me to ask you one off-topic question:

    Reading what you write about your present ( and possibly ) feature camera gear, I’ve noticed you no longer posses MM? If I remember it right, at some point in the past you had to choose between M and MM and you decided to sell M and keep Monochrom. I’ve noticed you bought M again afterwards but didn’t know you get rid of MM…What was the reason to sell it, if it’s not too much to ask…?
    I am asking out of plain curiosity and also as someone who is to decide which way to go after M9 – M or MM?
    Thank you once again!
    BR/Alex

99. Impressive and interesting product from Leica and great review Steve. Thanks for the hard work.I want to like this one.
    My worries? Have yet to find a touch screen that is clearly visible and therefore usable in bright sun outdoors where many of us take pictures. You compare it ( in functionality not screen quality I know) to an iPad. My iPad is useless outdoors. Can’t see much on the screen except on cloudy days.
    Also the all metal body might be a problem to hold in very cold temps. So would it work with gloves?
    Another dorky looking underpowered flash. Why can’t they do a better job with built in flashes? they look like design afterthoughts. I’m not expecting a high power floodlight but…film compacts in the 80’s had better built in units.At the end of the day though it has three REAL plus points.
    1. IQ
    2. ability to take my M lenses
    3. Simple operation and menu ( Praise the Lord! )
    maybe these are enough to make it a great camera.
    Hmmm, must investigate more.
    I think the body with adaptor for those with M lenses already is an interesting proposition.
    Not going to pay that much for an EVF though, sorry Leica,

    • When it launches rent one for a few days and see how you like it. That is always the best way before committing.

100. Love the review ATMO. Thanks.

101. Steve & Company, Thanks for your reviews!

     The X-Vario does not have a professional method for using the EVF and a radio slave at the same time. Is there a way to simultaneously use the EVF and a radio slave on the Leica T camera? If the answer is no, then shame on Leica for excluding the second most important component of professional photography, that is, auxiliary lighting.

     • The T is not considered a “professional” camera. Neither is the X-Vario. They are not really studio cameras either. Not aimed at that market I should say. If using slaves is a priority then I would not consider these cameras.

102. Great, comprehensive review and your video is the perfect complement to it. Looks like a powerhouse design and great fun to shoot. Leica is out of my price range these days but it doesn’t cost anything to dream. Thanks, Steve.

103. talking about image quality i guess the only advantage of this camera is the missing anti-aliasing filter.

     • The sensor is up with the best of APS-C, period. The lenses are the best for IQ of any competing system, period. The camera is fast, responsive, and also has superb AWB and color. Many advantages…but these are apparent when you actually use one.

104. Hi Steve,
     Really interesting review and video…you can tell how much of an impression the new Leica has made on you. I completely see the Apple references…I wonder if Apple are watching, I’m sure they are.
     Which segment of the market do you see buying this camera ?, you mentioned the Sony A7s and with technology moving so quickly do you think Leica are behind the curve as far as that is concerned ?
     Beautiful looking camera.

     • I think Apple are way above watching anyone else, in their supreme self confidence.
       But they need to,learn, if the post-Jobs era is anything to go by. Hmm, off topic though.

105. Most of us don’t own Leica glass, so (at least one) main feature of the camera is wasted on us.

     If you didn’t already own Leica glass, and you didn’t care about the Fuji greens, would you buy this or the XT1?

     • Even if you already own Leica M glass, T body, T viewfinder and M to T adapter are just too darn expensive for being a compromised solution (APS-C crop, no AF, no coupled rangefinder).

       And there is no reasonable Leica M glass that delivers the APS-C equivalent of 35mm.

106. It is a gorgeous camera, and the photos look terrific!

107. Do you have control over the entire frame during manual focusing or just see magnified fragment ?

108. Steve, you are correct…. its not about the price, but what you get for the price.
     for me this does not deliver…images are just as good as all the other brands…no-one really makes a bad camera, so its all about bang for the buck.

     • Well said, honestly, so many cameras now are so awesome. And there are cameras for every type of buyer. Me…I’m a “guts matter most” kind of guy. What the body is made of, I could care less, as long as it’s solid and wont fall apart.

       But that means I don’t get to own a Leica…which blows in it’s own way..I like them and I’m not above WANTING something class…but my brain and wallet wont let my heart do something like that when at the end of the day I’m not rich enough.

109. Wow! What a massive rewiew. The Leica T seems to be one of these very rare examples of a truly thought through product.

     One question, Steve: Do you had any problems resting your thumb on the touch screen? I mean, do you had any accidential inputs or so?

     BTW, to me, anyone who says the Leica T is overpriced and has no market, is as clueless as Steve Ballmer laughing his ass off after the iPhone launch. And I’m saying this despite I would never buy the Leica T.

     Thank you Steve for your wonderful in-depth review and thank you Leica for innovating again. I am sure, this Leica T will have its impact on future camera designs.

110. The T mount supports FF easily size-wise IMHO. If they would go for APS-C only, the mount could have been made smaller. Leica keeps their options open.

111. Firstly congratulations on a fine review, I was so pleased you had one for launch day, and pleased also that Leica finally put you on the inside. A wise move on their part, knowing how you appreciate good design and quality craftsmanship and that’s what they had (one major caveat later) and not the ugliest leaked product picture ever. The caveat and sadness for me is the external EVF, I would want to use the camera with M lenses which needs the EVF, I’d also like to use the zoom on vacation and would want the GPS which requires the EVF in over words I would only ever use the camera in Clark Kent with glasses mode and never in Superman guise. All of the beautiful product images and clean lines are without the EVF. I’d hope it would pop up, the only possible saviour would be a Aluminium milled and polished EVF that match the body with updated electronics that match EM1, XT1. I feel that would provide a better match, (especially for me as my M lenses are Silver finish), I’d even pay a slight premium on the current price (slight being the word as in my opinion the current one should be cheaper and a milled one about or slightly above the current price.) In my opinion the only hot shoe accessory that looks good is the manual light meter of the M3, in a Laura Croft, Safari ridged Land Rover type of way, but even then only on occasion as a prefer it without).

112. Hi Steve
     I am a Leica M fan , I love the M9 as i think it has Diferent Leica colors,
     I know the M 240 is considerd one of their best M cameras. I dont like the M as i still think its colors became regular Canon, Nikon colors .
     When i looked at the pictures of the T i fet i saw the Leica special colors again.
     I am an M lover and yet i think Leica came out with a beautiful balanced small machine that will apeal to alot of Leica lover/ haters .
     As Steve i also think i miss the built in viewfinder but i can live with and even enjoy the touch screen
     I think Leica has a winner !!

113. Strange how when Nikon launched their mirrorless camera, the V1, they were criticised for the lack of external controls on the body. Then Leica produce a camera with even fewer controls and it’s hailed as a masterpiece of Apple-like minimalism. Two tips for your next camera launch, Nikon.

     1. Replace the guy in the lab coat with a German dude in a turtleneck and steel rimmed glasses talking about returning to the essentials, the essence, the very soul of photography (preferably using the impressive, polysyllabic German equivalent word).

     2. Double the price of the camera.

     That’s marketing gold right there.

     • Yeah. I always thought the original Nikon 1 cameras had fantastic design. I personally believe that Nikon 1 was intentionally crippled (1″ sensor) by some executives that didn’t want it to cannibalize DX sales, while DX itself is designed not to cannibalize FX sales.

       My opinion is that any other sensor size would have been 1000x better for Nikon: either join micro four thirds, or replace the entire DX line by an APS-C mirrorless, or even an A7-style full frame mirrorless.

       It’s quite sad, but this intentional crippling of products is what eventually turned me away from Nikon. Canon does the same.

       • Nikon 1 is fantastic cas it is, still one of my fave cameras ever. Still own a V1 and J1. I did not feel they were crippled in any way, shape or form. In fact, the opposite. People get way too caught up by sensor size and somehow fool themselves into thinking they can not take a good image with a small sensor. That is nonsense.

         • Certainly agree with you on the ridiculous obsession with sensor size. Not an issue at all on the V1.

           Going back to my comment above, I’m not in the market for a Leica T but my point was that it’s interesting to see the company moving towards a really minimal external design with just 2 physical control wheels. Before owning a V1 I would have said that as a photographer I needed multiple external buttons/dials to control as many camera functions as possible without going into the menu. My V1 experience has showed me that actually it’s liberating to only have direct access to the 3 truly essential camera controls: focus, aperture and shutter speed. Other functions are easily accessible in the menu but I try to concentrate on the basics of taking an interesting photograph rather then remembering what the 4 customisable function buttons do or whether I should be tweaking one or more of the other dozen external controls available.

           When we look back on the Leica T in a few years I think this bold step towards stripping back external controls will be seen as the true innovation (and not the frankly irrelevant fact that it was ‘hewn from a solid block of aluminium’ and polished for 45 minutes by a German with a PhD).

     • I think they already doubled the price on launch, lol!
       And found out later that it doesn’t always work…but they are still trying.

114. Steve,
     Yes I’m surprised as it is true, came in $1850. It would be best alternative body for experimenting with various lenses like what you usually did and compare them. What the ‘T” stand for? Terminator or Technology?
     About the IQ, I doubt it if it better than Vario, if possible I wonder if you can compare them side by side. The color and rendering is not like what leica usually performs, probably is more like Ep5 color render here. Are they using the same Vario sensor in T?

115. Relative pricing of Leica T versus the rest (Nex 3/5, Fuji X-M, Samsung NX) is similar to the iPhone. That means user interface, haptics, design and that extra bit of image quality can command a substantial premium.

     But in absolute terms the premium for the iPhone is “only” $300-500, for a heavily used item which in addition serves as status symbol and fashion statement 24/7.

116. Another site says the sensor is from the 400,- € Sony NEX 3N.

     Truth or fiction?

     • The Sensor is from 2012 and I believe a modified 5n sensor, which is one of the best Sony sensors made, beating out the one they used in the NEX-6 even. If you look at my NEX-5n review the images are much nicer in IQ than from my NEX-6 review. Not sure why Sony feels they need to make a new sensor every year when sometimes they go backwards. Doesn’t mater though if the sensor is from 1996, it is the IQ and performance that matters.

       • The pictures in this review looks very similar to my Nex 5N with Leica R lenses. Nice color, very close to the objects.

117. Now this is a Leica I would like to own………congrats to Wetzlar (jeps it feels great to say that I’m a sucker for tradition) for stepping over your own shadow and thinkink outside the box. This Leica doesn’t seem to be one dollar overpriced and if you compare it with high end mirrorless systems even competatively (sort off) priced. Lenses may be a tad on the slow side but that wouldn’t heart my game since I shoot cityscapes and landscapes not depending on a small DOF so om my OM-D I shoot at aperture 5.6 to 9 all the time. I would opt for the EVF extra though……Visoflex…..wrong name with a lot of hassle associations.

     Greats, Ed.

118. So they put the usual and slightly old in the tooth 16MP Sony aps-c sensor into an Apple inspired soap bar shaped Aluminum unibody and borrow Samsung`s touch screen controlled UI to call it a USD 1900 Leica body sans EVF. Where is the technological innovation, Leica? The one we enjoyed with the M9, the first FF compact, the X1, the first aps-c jacket pocket solution?

119. Do the lenses have a metal barrel? (this may have been asked or addressed, but I haven’t read all of the comments, my apologies if it has).

120. A lot of moaners about the cost of the adapter! Why not just wait for the 3rd party one to come along?

     As for the screen getting scratched, just use a screen protector, I have one on my android phone and works wonders!

121. Steve, thank you for this review. It was the perfect thing to read first thing in the morning.

     I was on the verge of locking in the Olympus E-M5 as my next camera, one reason being its very quiet shutter (important for what I shoot most – theatre). But the T may have changed my mind. Maybe. 🙂

     Too bad the T doesn’t stand for titanium. Or Terminator! 😉

122. Thank you, Steve, for a great review!
     Quick question: the touchscreen, what is it made of? Is it Gorilla Glass or Sapphire Glass? The manual says nothing…

123. Steve,

     As always, you do great reviews and thanks so much for this one. I love your website and candid reviews.

     For background, I’ve been a 5DMarkIII user, but over the past couple of years have migrated to the X1/X2 due to the quality/form factor. Most recently, I briefly considered the XVario, but opted instead for the RX1R, based upon your review and those of others. I absolutely love the image quality of the RX1R. It’s a fantastic camera and it is clear that Sony had the photographer in mind when designing that camera. So I bought one and will now officially thank you, as you suggested in your review. But there’s the obvious 35mm limitation. Not terrible and can be overcome with a mental shift.

     I would likely consider parting with my bulky Canon DSLR / lenses and intend part with the X2 very soon (since upgrading to the RX1R makes it somewhat (but not completely) obsolete for me). But I guess I’ve been waiting for the right combination of system, ergonomics, simplicity, and image quality to come along. The Leica T (and maybe the Sony A7R) are the latest to come close to what I have been looking for in a system.

     As I read your review and watched the video, I was thankful for your review and initially impressed by the whole touch screen system on the Leica T. And BTW, if Leica doesn’t want to be acquired by Apple, I hope they sought tacit approval for copying the Apple strategy with the design, right down to the “aluminium”. I know those lenses will be made in Japan, but I hope that the packaging indicates they were “Designed in Germany by Leica.”

     Now finally for my real question. I honestly began to wonder about the shooting experience with the touch screen. I think we all become accustomed to knowing which buttons control which features of our cameras, such that when we are shooting and looking through the viewfinder, we can make quick adjustments on the fly to aperture, ISO, focus point, etc. with our fingertips without ever pulling away from the viewfinder to look at the screen. I am so curious about the experience with the Leica T. Did you find yourself fidgeting with the touch screen before shooting several images to get the settings right, or have they incorporated a design that lets you use the viewfinder and the touchscreen together for an overall intuitively user friendly experience. I think if I had to pull away from the viewfinder to make several adjustments as I shot each image, I just might get frustrated and annoyed. And another question – are the two dials customizable with regard to function?

     Thanks,

     Christian

     PS I’d recommend they meet with the Siri team as soon as Apple acquires them, as voice control over the settings would eliminate the issues I suggested. 🙂

     • Thanks for the comments. To keep it short, once the camera was set up to my liking I never had to touch the screen while out shooting, at all. I just controlled the aperture and ISO with the thumb dials. One time out of 7 days did I go back in to the menu and that was to change the color mode to vivid from standard. The dials are customizable.

124. Great to see some Steve photos. Nice work!
     The camera doesn’t appeal to me so much but hey…
     I do wonder if it would be cold to hold in winter.
     Thanks Steve!

125. This system will fail.

     Existing Leica guys with GAS? They will not bite. Leica want-to-bes won’t either.

     Both groups are smart enough to figure out that one of two future conversations will be had…

     Conversation #1:

     To Leica M Owner: “Is that a top of the line Leica? Nice!”
     Leica M Owner: “Thanks!” (proudly chats and shows off his camera)

     Or Conversation #2:

     To Leica T Owner: “Is that the mid-range Leica? Did you think about ponying up and getting an M?”.
     Leica T Owner: “uh, um, blah blah blah” (sheepishly walks away)

     Used M9 plus Zeiss glass for the win for the “new to Leica crowd”. Sorry, Leica T, this is the route the smart $ will go. Chasing the dumb $ hurts your brand (see Hasselblad Lunar).

126. It is a beautiful camera indeed. And the touch screen is a stroke of brilliance, I’d say. But…I think I’ll stick with my RX1 for a while longer.

     • The RX1 is a special camera..one to keep for life if you can.

127. Question – I understand that the adapter recognizes and corrects coded lenses. Is there, as on the Ms, a manual setting for uncoded legacy lenses?

128. A very beautiful camera indeed! You so lucky to have it before everyone else, Steve! But no matter how great it is, it’s not for me. I always feel there’s something missing with APS-C size sensor compare to FF. Others may defend that there’s no real different between apsc and FF, but I can feel it. So for now my a7 will be staying with me.

129. I have read through most of the comments above and am enjoying the cut and thrust of the points being made. Then somebody mentioned the dreaded RED DOT!!!!
     I have used many Leica products.As a birdwatcher I have used their binoculars as have countless other birders -none that I know of have ever done so because of the Red Dot -superb image and build quality perhaps? I used to work in the high tech electronics sector guess what we used in the labs? -Leica Microscopes. Nobody ever thought they were used because of the red dot. Forensic and Medical labs worldwide use Leica optics as do civil engineers -must be that Red Dot! What else can it be?

     Best Wishes and good luck Leica with the new T camera -shame about that Red Dot.

     • perhaps you have heard of an optics company called zeiss. (their machine operated on my eyeballs).

       supposedly their camera lenses arent too bad, either.

       • I also had cataract surgery (both eyes) at Columbia Presbyterian in NYC- they had both Zeiss and Leica hardware in the OR and Eye Wing.

     • Actually, when it comes to medical imaging and life sciences, Olympus eats Leica’s lunch. No Red Dot required. 😉

130. So you have to push two virtual buttons and move a virtual bar in order to set tour exposure compensation???
     Really????
     And tha same for almost everything else?
     R U kidding me?
     Look at 10:26, Steve struggling through menus and submenus. AAAhhhhhhh.
     Fuji guys aro so laughing right now.

131. Leica moves forward. If all is said is true. The AF is not up to Oly or the X-T1, but up dates to firmware and designs can be forth coming. It would help to have a built in EVF, the only saving grace maybe a better design may be on the way and you would not have buy a new camera, just a new EVF. the sutter speed does not both me in the least, 1/4000 is fast enough. I was hope for better ISO, it is only 16MP, but it is not far off the mark. No built-in EVF maybe for those who just want point and shoot. No AA is a very important part of it all. But Leica coming out with a price well below $2K is really remarkable. I think these camera matches well to Fuji. I still like my Fuji more, but would think about this a second camera. I think Leica has a fine camera in the mirror less market. I would that they would come out with lens at a fast pace, a 23mm F2.0 is ready to go is good sign, $2k for lens is high, glass is always a better investment then cameras.
     Good work Lecia.

132. I just bought an immaculate 1970 Nikon F2 w DE1 finder (meterless) from a little old lady in Pasadena.

     So I guess I’m not the market for this camera…

     It does look neat though.

133. Great Review Steve … love the pros and cons and summary of what the camera can and cannot do. I’m definitely placing my order for one. Sure a full frame would have been nice but those images look great, the essence of a fun loving street camera, i love it 🙂

     Best Regards Paul

134. Great review Steve!

     Will you tell me if Voigtlander 50 1.5 Nokton works on Leica T with adapter? That will be very good combination I hope or Voigtlander 35mm lens will me much better?

     • It should work. I believe ANY M lens will work, you just will not have EXIF info with an non coded lens.

       • Steve: wonderful review.

         1) how do m lenses work with the T?
         2) does the 6 bit coding allow for distortion correction?
         3) for non coded lenses, is there a database to bring up the proper corrections like the M9?

         4) does the EVF lock onto the T and is there a lock release?

         5) Is the T the modern Minolta CLE?

         6) Many of the comments in the review seem to ignor one of your favorite cameras from the past 2 years… The Nikon V1 and V2. They have no Shoot without lens option. The Nikon 1 does have superb fast, accurate AF.

         • It’s all in the review. I know it is a bit much to read, sorry 🙂 But the M lenses work great with the T, at least the two I tried. The 21 and the 50. Easy to focus, no issues. As for the 6 bit coding, I have not heard back from Leica on wether it corrects but I think it does, which is why they have the special adapter. The EVf does not lock on. It could be a modern day CLE, but it is a bit different in the control department. As for the V1, I have used M lenses in it without an issue.

           • [ As for getting back to the speed, the T is more responsive and faster to auto focus than the Leica X1, X2 and X-Vario. It is the fastest German-made Leica to date, and for me it is about the equivalent of Sony NEX or E-M5, a little bit faster than the Sony A7. So while not up there with an E-M1 it is very close to everything else when using the 18-56 Zoom (the only native lens I had to try). ]

             from your own reviews, the mirrorless Nikon V1 and V2 should be faster and possibly more accurate at AF.

           • Speedwise when using the zoom – compared to the Nikon V1 the T can be a little faster than the V1 (depending on what lens is on the V1) to slightly slower. As far as accuracy, the T never gave me a missed lock, ever. So it has, for me at least, a 100% accuracy rate in my short testing. The V1 is equally as good in this department but remember, the V1 is 3+ years old now and not the latest tech when it comes to AF so as time goes on, cameras get faster than previous years cameras. How it always is. The Leica T is not blazing (I am spoiled by the E-M1 and E-M10) but it is good. Far better than previous Leica Germany efforts (X1, X2)

           • which raises the question of why Leica is using a 4 year old sensor…

           • Well, the answer could be for a couple of reasons..

             A: It still performs just as good if not better than current sensors (for example, the NEX5n had better IQ than the 6 imo, but the 6 body was better)
             B: They had a supply of them from the Vario

             I say it is both reasons. The sensor is a fantastic sensor just as the Sony RX1 sensor will still be fantastic in 5 years. Just because it is an older sensor does not mean it will not deliver quality results. As it is, I have seen nothing deliver better IQ in the APS-C world that what the T is capable of (resolution, pop ,micro contrast, color, etc). So why mess with a good thing? Since Leica does not use any in camera NR, the files will show more noise at higher ISO but turn off the NR in competing cameras and it gets to be the same. The new Sony A6000 gets noisy at 1600 with NR turned off yet it has the latest and greatest sensor. NR creates a lot of mis-information.

       • Steve, I wonder what happened to the Voigtlander 50 1.5? You mentioned that it bacame your favorite 50, that you like it more than the lux and I see you’re now using a cron stead. Did you have any issues with Voigtlander after the review? If not, why did you swap it for cron? Or did you?

         P.S. Thanks for the review. Enjoyed it a lot. Kind of got me craving for the T! Although I switched back to FF from APS-C a while ago. I just wasn’t getting that look from APS-C. So, not ready yet.

         Thanks again!

135. Some very interesting features, and a solid first mirrorless attempt by Leica.

     Functionally, though, it’s let down by one major handicap: the sensor is 2-year old tech now, and not exactly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible when it comes to high ISO.

     You can argue it doesn’t matter and that it’s perfectly acceptable up to ISO 1600, except for this one [not so] tiny detail: when you combine that limitation with slow lenses and no image stabilization, you quickly start running into real-world limitations in terms of what you can shoot as the light falls … unless you want to pack a tripod (which most don’t in this category of camera).

     The monocoque body is cool, I guess, and will appeal to the collector set, and the touchscreen interface is gorgeous, I’ll admit. But when you get into the guts of the thing there isn’t really all that much to crow about.

136. When did Aluminum became better than Magnesium alloy for cameras?

     • No one said any material is better. What feels better? What looks better? All up to the one purchasing. I can say that the T feels very tough and solid/sturdy. Most magnesium alloy bodies do not feel this solid. But better? They are all good.

137. Here’s on from the 23mm. Great lens!

     http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii547/Claus_Heiberg/L1140090-Edit.jpg

138. One can only imagine what the next M will be like – already salivating 🙂

139. I’m trying to find 23mm sample, but I couldn’t….

     • Here’s on from the 23mm. Great lens!

       http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii547/Claus_Heiberg/L1140090-Edit.jpg

140. Looks nice…i doubt I would sell off my fuji gear for it though. Would have liked a full frame fixed lens camera instead..i.e. a bigger sensor X2 with an f2 or faster lens.

141. Now folks can take their $7,000 camera gear, hit the streets and take photos of unfortunate homeless people without feeling guilty because this is a much more affordable Leica. sorry….feeling like a grouchy pants today.

     • I pity da fool who would do that.

142. I’ve used most Leica cameras of one model or another for almost 40 years. Film is my choice, digital is second. Still, I have been burnt by Leica’s new owner(s) as an R user, and I’m not the only one. Fortunately, Canikon still make excellent FF DSLR cameras, and while Leica now moves towards a lower-cost luxury-esque market, I have stopped being in awe of the brand.
     The glass is good, but there are also other brands of glass now that have are excellent too.
     So, this camera isn’t for me. In fact, I see Kaufmann sitting there spewing out the verbage as if the camera is magic and it’s a bit embarrassing. Yes, a computer driven milling machine cut it out of aluminum to give it a Leica ‘feel’ Then they screwed in some outside made components and call it nearly beyond compare- for it’s FEEL – okay – including what sounds to be a Sony sensor, for new line of APS lenses.
     As was said – there a LOT of excellent or highly capable cameras out there now. This is Leica’s chance for the high-priced end of the market – Here’s what I would be interested in: a FF sealed, slab-like camera, priced at $2500, with an optional usable EVF that costs $350, likely will never happen which is why I don’t see Leica as the serious company I used to, but it’s a fancy one now.

     • The real problem for Leica, I think, is that Fuji will clobber them by the time the X-Pro 2 arrives.

       My understanding is that the X-Pro 2 camera will boast an improved version of the current X-Trans sensor; a much faster processor; weather sealing akin to the X-T1; a continuation of the hybrid OVF/EVF, where the OVF is further iterated and the EVF is at least as good as the one in the X-T1; the possibility of a tilty-flippy screen with touch capability; and a bunch of other improvements and new features … all in a body that remains 90% the same aesthetically as the X-Pro 1 (oh yeah, and it will remain APS-C — no full frame sensor for the X-Pro 2; that much has been verified to me).

       High ISO performance on the current X-Trans cameras is already superior to the M240, to say nothing of this new Leica T.

       • Couldn’t agree more! I own a Fuji X-E2 and the main reason for not getting a X-T1 is the expected announcement of the X-Pro2 by the end of the year! If just half of the specs will come true, the X-Pro2 will be the gravestone for Leica… and I really mean for Leica, not for other competitors on the market, whether FF or MFT but priced reasonably and in line with today’s market offering… I have seen a comparison made with cars, and that’s fine, but a Ferrari is not only a status symbol but – at the end – you really get what you paid for in terms of materials, technology and performance and every model will remain a jewel which will continue to have a market for the years to come. This is not true for Leica and for any digital camera whatsoever … and even more so for this Leica T, which still adds up to quite a lot of money when just a ‘kit’ zoom lens is added to the body, not to mention the insanely idea of making the EVF an option. I really don’t get it, since with much less dollars it is possible to achieve a much more enjoyable experience and higher image quality.
         I also don’t get how come with Leica it is always possible to jump from one side to another, once claiming that they are the only one capable of offering the truly classic photography experience and now promoting them as the only ones who can give a breath of fresh air to the whole industry. Yet another non sense… sorry!

         • I don’t think it’s going to be the gravestone for Leica. Someone who wants an M is absolutely going to buy an M, especially if it’s a prestige buyer.

           But I do think the X-Pro 2 will make any serious rangefinder-style photographer sit up and take notice.

           Ironically, the X-Pro 2 has already developed a bit of a cult following of its own, and will probably be heralded as a modern classic, despite its shortcomings. I think some of this has to do with the fact that it contains a lot of the Fuji DNA that the company employed when they built cameras for Hasselblad … the amazing X-Pan being a prime example >> https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7091/6975343930_9cd66d224a_z.jpg

           Fuji has laid an extraordinary amount of groundwork in a very short time with the X-System. And all the operational issues folks had with the X-Pro 1 will be resolved with the X-Pro 2 … and then some.

           Who knows? Leica might sit up and take notice and work even harder to make the next M better still.

           • Sorry, third graph: meant X-Pro 1 has already developed a bit of a cult following…

143. few comments just from an engineering department perspective:

     – hand aluminum polishing has nothing to do with a quality and does not bring any technical value to this or generally any product (this is technical fact). It is just cool for some people, nothing more.
     – milled aluminum does not make any difference from that one made from cast aluminum. the Young modulus of milled and cast aluminum is just the same. All depends on material redistribution.
     – The strength of milled (assuming from forging or bar) aluminum is higher but it is just ultimate strength, the level which is way above any reasonable loads a camera can see (id it does see it will just brake in other area that the housing)
     – the zoom glass is a high quality (per this test) but it is simply terribly dark and yet no one will see any difference from a few top glass zooms from competition like Fuji, Olympus or Panasonic (read Leica) in the picture with magnification we use on daily basis (it was shown many times by many testers, including Steve).
     – viewfinder is pretty good but not integral…better than nothing, that is it. How it performs in the dark?
     – AF speed decent or pretty fast…..for the still objects. Tracking? Comparable to E-M1? Comparable to the X-T1 (which has the best tracking AF from any mirror-less cameras including the Oly E-M1 (which wins in the single shot AF department)). Fore the $$$ we will have to pay expect to see something special.
     – ISO good but not even close to the Fuji

     – touch screen….not sure ..there will be a lot of argument about that…maybe this is the future current photographs do not get yet?

     – fun/pride factor: high!

     Summarizing: expensive toy capable of making good or decent pictures- a toy wich can be easily replaced with quite a few recent cameras.

     • Can you comment on how long the aluminium sheen can be expected to last when the body is subjected to a lot of acidic sweat from being regularly handled?

       • Terry, there was some German gobbledygook on that subject not a million comments above. The Germans appear to have figured out the scratching bit on the front. Not sure about the touch screen smudge marks on the back, which might get in the way of your stretched arms photography a bit, if your funds don’t stretch (forgive the pun) to acquiring that EVF…

         • Comment #86, “Materialmischung”. You know what I’m talking about.

         • Michiel, I initially passed on this post whilst reading them all. Gone back to do a google translate and, indeed, it answers my question.

144. Steve,
     I read the full review. Mostly what I expected. Like you say, basically every camera made today is great. This one is too. I am trying to find a reason to buy this over, say, an olympus, panasonic, or fuji. I can think of two reasons.

     First, the red dot. As Woody Allen said, “the heart wants what the heart wants”

     Second, because you enjoy the experience of owning a beautiful camera that is simple. The manager said “It is about the experience and the fun factor..the joy of using the camera as well as the image quality..the build and design“.”

     The first reason for me has never been a factor, in fact the red dot pushes me the other way, but that’s just me. The second factor, well, I think that sounds like a lot of marketing. At the end of the day, for me, a camera is a tool. I want it to have great operability and haptics, and that will give me a little pleasure, but more important I want it to be able to help me create the images in my mind’s eye. I just don’t see how a being crafted from a block of aluminum helps me there.

     Overall, I’m glad you liked it. I expected you to. But I don’t see this displacing an E-M1 or X-T1 any time soon, for me (neither of which I own, because they are too expensive for me at the moment).

145. Very nice review Steve. The camera and the images look first class. The simplicity is very appealing. Great lenses. And great images taken by you. Congrats.

146. Hm. The aluminium body looks lovely & durable – however, one half of the camera is a touchscreen. And, while I’m sure we all know someone who continues to successfully use an old touchscreen phone, we probably also all know someone whose screen has died. I can’t see a camera like this as a valid long-term proposition – it’s the luck of the draw as to whether your complex electronic components survive, and really your odds are the same as someone with a $300 phone.

     This renders the aluminium chassis totally unnecessary for durability (much cheaper materials would still long-outlast the electronics) and thus simply a piece of nice jewellery. And it is very nice looking – but I would simply be unable to overcome my cynicism to pretend that this is primarily a camera and not an ‘accessory’ were I to have one. Ah well. Enjoy it nonetheless!

147. Interesting read. A very pretty homage to the Fijifilm X series cameras. That 45 minutes of hand polishing that solid block of aluminium body has got to ad $1000 alone…. Maybe in 10 years they will come out with a solid gold body commerative,model.

     • 10 gets you 20 it’ll be another titanium version first. 😉

148. Great review. It really looks sexy like it says on Luminous landscape as well. Looks very tempting, but I think I will wait for A7s and zeiss manual prime lenses to be revealed this year.

     I noticed a few instances of purple fringing, e.g. in the photo with title “Again, the 18-56 Zoom in action in Oatman AZ with the burrows” you can see that around a kid’s head.

149. “This is just like a NEX-7″

     No Steve this Leica really isn’t nex7. The NEX has 24.3 megapixels so it is so much more camera and cheaper price and obviously NEX have better picture quality.

150. I read your exhaustive review, for which you are to be thanked by the community that is interested in a high end (i.e. costly) camera like a Leica. But what I don’t see much elaboration on is your comment about image stabilization. This is important to some of us who like me may be older or have a condition that doesn’t allow for no shaking of any degree. Could you, Steve, or someone with knowledge, comment on this issue, please? What does the IS of the T do and not do, for example? Thanks.

151. It’s an interesting camera and whether or not a particular reader is a Leica fan, you have to give them kudos for thinking outside the box here. Question though Steve, for such an advanced camera and the slick menuing system, no “mute doggy” option?

152. To me no integrated EVF means no buy. That huge touchscreen needs to be used with care, I can’t imagine an owner’s face looking at a scratch on it… Anyway, I showed your video review to my girlfriend and she said: “Will we buy one?” 🙂 We’re getting married in September so for the moment my mind (and wallet) is busy, but then I will go on saving for the last Special Leica, Monochrom. The best and more complete review Steve, it’s always a pleasure to read.

     • I feel the same way. It bothers me in a way, the idea of spending that kind of money for features that are not up to par with less expensive systems. I love having an integrated EVF and can’t spend ona camera without one. Plus, integrated EVFs just messy so much better than these add ons that can get lost easily.
       But I will admit that the design is beautiful. But I will be sticking to my GX7’s and Oly bodies.

153. A nice camera to see, but the silver metallic color attracts a lot of attention and that is the last thing a photographer wants.

154. ”… the hand polishing process that is painstakingly done by one gloved hand man for each and every T body made”

     This makes such a camera unnecessarily expensive. A machine can do it faster and better and… without gloves.

     • But it only takes a whole 45 minutes. 😉 Bloody expensive minutes, those…. 😉

155. Has anyone noticed a strange similarity between the T and the Samsung Galaxy Android in white? OK, not interchangeable lenses, but a full touchscreen at the back with no buttons. And the price of the Samsung? A staggering £199 on offer! Sorry, Leica, Samsung got there before you, so nothing innovative here.

     • Are you Samsung-people serious? Most cars have 4 wheels. Most cameras need a grip.

       • Tor,

         You seem to have missed the point of what I thought was a light-hearted comment about the T looking a little like the Galaxy and being controlled solely by a touch screen UI, as though this was a staggering innovation from Leica.

         And still on a lighter note, the only time I get flak for being a Samsung person is by daring to use a mobile phone that is not an iPhone. lol.

         • This is a humour-free zone Terry, you should know that by now! 😉

           • Michiel,

             Too true, but it’s the little imp in me that gets out of the box every so often. 😀

           • Terry, take your medicine, there’s a good boy! ROFL!

156. You mention the build quality of the lenses but it’s hard to tell from the photos … I assume they are metal? And, is the 18-56 roughly the size of the X Vario or smaller or larger? I did notice one thing that would be annoying if you were using this alongside an X Vario … the zoom and focus rings have not only switched locations but the zoom direction is different as well. That will probably only inconvenience very few people in the future.

     For the record, everyone likes to bash the X Vario but I like it a lot, and I’ve owned a Fuji X-E1 and a Sony A7. For my needs, the X Vario works better than either of those.

     • They are Metal, it is smaller than the X Vario lens. The X Vario has the IQ but for usability it failed for me. I much prefer the T in use to the Vario but your results may vary 🙂

157. Bummer, I was hoping to be impressed with this new leica system, very lackluster (my opinion). Nonetheless thank you for the taking the time to write this review Steve.

158. Hi Steve, thanks for the review. My only concern is the resale value of the lenses against that from the m system. Don’t you think a m system is a better investment?

     • Buying a camera as an investment is a bad idea. The next big thing is always around the corner.

159. Sonyalpharumors is reporting that this Leica has the same sensor as the $300 Sony NEX-3n.

     • Perhaps sensor size.. I don’t see Leica buying sensors from Sony.

       • According to that site, it is the exact same sensor.

       • Why not? They make excellent sensors. Even the one in the Nikon D800 series, for those who may have forgotten.

         • Which is a truly excellent sensor!

           • Ditto for the sensor in the Nikon D5300! The sharpness and clarity I get with that “low end” DSLR (with its 24MP OLPF-less sensor and Expeed4 engine) plus good Nikkor optics is quite exemplary. It easily handles most commercial and stock requirements, not to mention large mural-size printing…something that a lesser APS-C system would have difficulty doing, IMHO.

           • Obviously, but it’s iq is pedestrian, compared to Leica APS-C iq, which has magic and wow.

             I think I read that somewhere.

           • “Pedestrian” IQ from the D5300? I respectfully disagree…Though I’m the first to admit to the overall superiority of Leica (and Zeiss) optics, obviously, Image Quality (and printed output in particular) from ANY digital camera is a function of the photographer’s technique PLUS the lens (AF, aperture, sharpness, CA, diffraction and the like) PLUS post processing PLUS camera components themselves (sensor, Processing Engine, image processing pipeline, RAW v. JPEG), not to mention subject lighting, subject contrast, movement, etc. Thus, if ANY one of these components are less than optimum in relation to the other parameters mentioned, I suppose one could get “pedestrian IQ” from ANY system. Therefore, I think that to make a blanket statement such as “it’s (the Nikon D5300) iq is pedestrian, compared to Leica APS-C iq” is misleading at best, as it implies that ANY images from the D5300 are necessarily lacking inspiration and dull, simply BECAUSE it is not a Leica? And further, your “magic and wow” are subjective terms, not scientific quantities. I submit that in the hands of a good photographer, many other systems, in addition to and including Leica, can also evoke the “magic and wow” you speak of. Sure, I’d love an M9, but I “make do” with Nikon products, and as countless other photographers, am quite pleased with output from that system.

           • Steve, my tongue was in my cheek!

           • Ah, OK then, Michiel…my bad! Thanks for the clarification!

     • same sensor as the X Vario – and IQ from the X Vario is stunning; I’ve used it. only bad thing about the Vario; slow lens.

       • and the X Vario sensor is from Sony – same 16mp sensor as the old NEX-3.

         • Surely not the old Nex 3 sensor? This model came out in 2010. But if it is from a Nex 3 model, it must be one of the variants to come out later.

           One thing is for sure. There was a significant improvement in Sony’s sensor technology from the first Nex 3 and 5 models to the later incarnations. I bought into the Nex system when if first came to market in 2010 with the Nex 5. I later bought the 5N and this was a significant advance over the 5, as Steve once testified. And I’m sure Sony has moved on from this.

           The obvious question this raises for me: is the Sony sensor used in the T not of the latest generation and, if so, it is already out of date by definition. Quite a concern considering the cost of the T and a lens.

           Or, has Sony “tweaked” it to Leica spec, so it is not exactly the same sensor as used in the earlier camera?

           • I’m sorry – should have said the NEX-3n which has the “old” entry level e-mount sensor vs. the “new” 20mp sensor in the A5000. I also bought into the system with the original NEX-3 which had the 14mp sensor. I still use it as a back up to my NEX-7. After 10’s of thousands of shots and being abused by me, it still works great.

           • Does it matter where the sensor come from? I have shot with the X Vario; trust me: IQ is great.

           • It does mater… if it’s the same potential quality as the NEX3…you might want to put your money into a more modern sensor and bolt a M-mount lens to it instead… especially if it’s significantly less expensive. Would you care that if you bought a Porsche and it was a older VW with a nice bolt on body? Even if the body was shiny silver?

             Cameras are technical devices and judged as such. Art from those cameras is subjective and as we all know, incredible art can come from anything… but I assume we’re talking cameras and not art at the moment.

           • DanielD,

             +1. At the asking price of this camera, one would expect the latest generation sensor at least, wouldn’t one?

           • Does it matter if the sensor (I don’t mean the accompanying processor software) is two years old? Having a two year old sensor doesn’t seem to cripple the Df, nor the D800. Let’s concentrate on the (raw) output.

           • Hi, Michiel,

             I believe it should matter, but accept it may not. When paying top whack for technology if a buyer found out they weren’t getting the latest technology for their money, wouldn’t they be a little upset?

             Now with a sensor that is already a 2-year old unit in a rapidly developing technology sector, it begs the question for how long Sony could justifiably continue to support manufacture of the original spec item, when they are geared up for more advanced spec items. Leica T owners will have to hope that Leica have a sufficient reserve in stock, just in case. How many M8 owners know that Leica can’t repair it if the screen fails?

             Of course, this problem is not unique to Leica, but at the prices Leica gear commands?

             Where it doesn’t matter, imo, is where the latest technology is actually no improvement over the older, or is indeed a retrograde step. But then the buyer makes a positive decision to go with the older product. And sometimes can actually buy it for less as it is remaindered.

             Terry. :o)

160. Cough, when I can’t swallow is the price of the adapter, Cough

161. Hi Steve, great review as usual.
     When using the T with M lenses, is it working on M mode only or you can use it in Aperture mode ?
     Thanks

     • No you can use it in any more, I used it in A mode.

162. Steve, great review…thanks for all you do!!!! I am wondering if you could comment on images from this new Leica in comparison to those you have experienced from the full frame Sony A7r with the 35mm fe lens?

163. Thanks for the nice review Steve. I think Leica is finally figuring it out and they seem to “get it” with this new IQ/Interface. I think its pretty cool you can control the camera with your phone. Will allow some interesting uses with the camera. I also appreciate the M adapter from the get go. Of course being an APS-C sensor the less chances in having issues with shooting the wider M lenses. I would assume with the latest 6 bit coded lenses the new T takes all of that info into account.

     I may not buy the new T as I’m perfectly happy with my M-E. But I see Leica heading down a different path and keeping things as simple as possible yet ensuring all the bells and whistles are there.

164. Great review, seems to be great piece of equipment but why the hell they release 3 Zooms and just one prime??? Would love to see a 14mm and a 60mm to go with the 23mm. Each attached, and never ever removed, to a T Body that would be my favorit travel gear. In that combination the external EVF makes sense cause you just carry one instead of three.

     • That I can not answer. For some reason Leica is on a Zoom kick. Maybe after so many years of making primes they feel excited about zooms. Not sure, but they are superb quality. I asked them for more primes BTW..

       • Steve,

         We know that Leica has been designing zoom lenses for Panasonic for a number of years now, and these perform very well indeed. Leica zoom lenses in their heyday of film cameras weren’t Leica anyway, either Minolta or Sigma. So this expertise is relatively newly acquired and designing for an APS-C sensor should mean they can produce lenses of high quality, in keeping with their lens pedigree.

         I’d guess that most shoot with zoom lenses today, and only need primes when there is a need for their fast apertures, or for the ultimate in image quality. So Leica concentrating on zooms makes sense to me.

         • Oops, should have said included either Minolta or Sigma. They weren’t exclusively so.

         • Because they learned so much from Panasonic heh. I’m serious.

165. The one piece body is a masterpiece. No doubt about it. I want to own it for a long time. But the digital components inside have a very short life span. To join this two components with drastic life expectancy creates conflicts in my mind. Don’t get me wrong. I am a Leica fan. I know how good my M lenses are. But the T camera with its high price….just make it so hard to swallow.

     • It makes me wonder if the electrical components may be more prone to condensation…

       • Which wouldn’t have been an issue if they weather sealed it. Which with a monocoque body would have seemed a logical thing to do.

         • There’s so much misinformation here. EH: You make an assertion about the short life span of certain components and provide no basis. Many electronic components are available in high reliability version at higher prices. Most military work uses the “good” stuff, for example. I assure you that the Leica engineers know the MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) for every component. But they’re not sharing that data with me–or you, for that matter. My guess is that the vast majority of these cameras will be perfectly functional decades down the road, assuming reasonable care by their owners. (My career is in industrial sensors and electronics.)

           Matt: Condensation is simply a matter of physics. Air contains water vapor, and when air is in contact with a surface whose temperature is below the dew point temperature of that water vapor, then condensation occurs. I assure you that these Leica’s (and virtually every other successful consumer electronics device) employ a humidity seal of some sort over the critical electrical circuits.

           Grant: Weather sealing is completely unrelated to avoiding condensation. The basic design of any interchangeable lens camera allows for ambient air and water vapor to enter the interior of the camera body. When physical conditions are right, condensation occurs (see above). High end instruments sometimes have their containments filled with pure nitrogen before the outer body is sealed. This eliminates the possibility of condensation but the process is obviously too expensive for a consumer product, and not feasible for an interchangeable lens body in any case.

           As a side note, I am humored by those who pronounce that Leica has somehow lost its way, as it appears to betray ignorance of Leica’s financial turn around of recent years. And the turn around happened only because the company refocused on building the products its customers wanted. I’m not in the market for Leica gear, but I admire the company’s history and devotion to quality along with the devotion of its customers. And it’s fun to read Steve’s generally enthusiastic comments about Leica’s. I think he does a good job of trying to convey the Leica intangibles that he and so many others find highly satisfying.

           • I’ve yet to suffer any failure with any digital camera I’ve owned from 2002 onwards and over 4 brands, so this supports what you say, But this could also be due to the fact that they haven’t been abused by being subjected to the rough and tumble of professional usage.

             I’ve also used Canon printers and scanners from 2002, and not one has failed. I did try a wireless all in one from another well known brand simply for when I wanted the convenience of printing documents wirelessly from multiple devices, and this was subjected to very light use and failed after 15 months. I reverted to Canon for its replacement and this has been running without a fault and heavier usage for 2 years, and seems like it will go on, just like the other Canon units I have. Am I a Canon Fanboy? You bet!

           • Earlier this year I researched 13 x 19 photo ink jet printers. I discovered the well-reviewed Canon Pro-100, which also happened to be the subject of a great promotion: $300 back if you bought some paper with it. Great deal. Haven’t set it up yet but I’m really looking forward to making my own prints. I agree that Canon in general does a great job with printers. All my camera gear is Sony.

           • “And the turn around happened only because the company refocused on building the products its customers wanted.”

             Correction, the turn around came because Leica began marketing themselves as a purveyor of luxury goods, hence all the ridiculously overpriced fashion editions (e.g. Hermes), etc.

             But let’s not pretend that the majority of working photographers out there choose Leica. Yes, there are a small percentage who shoot with the M or the S for very specific applications, but by and large this has become a luxury brand marketed to wealthy buyers. None of which has anything to do with good photography or quality images.

             And comments from some like “Its a Ferrari versus a Ford pickup. Get over it” simply reinforce the stereotype of the pompous Leica owner, and explain why there is so much disgust towards Leica and those who blindly evangelize about it.

           • I will not stand corrected. Whatever the tactics and product strategies that Leica employed, and however you wish to describe them, Leica had to sell product, and to do that they had to offer something their customers wanted to buy. Without sales there is no turn around. I made no comments about working photographers or good photography or luxury goods. Your denigration and disgust are duly noted, but they reveal much more about you than anything else. As for me, I applaud Leica’s success and think it’s a good thing that so many people find pleasure and satisfaction in using their products.

           • “Your denigration and disgust are duly noted, but they reveal much more about you than anything else.”

             You should reread what I said, perhaps more carefully this time.

             I never denigrated Leica, nor did I ever say I was personally disgusted. I merely elucidated — read carefully now — “…why there is so much disgust towards Leica and those who blindly evangelize about it.”

             “Its a Ferrari versus a Ford pickup. Get over it”. Comments of that ilk make my case for me.

             And your core hypothesis is faulty. Leica has ALWAYS built products its customers wanted. But the turn of the century there just weren’t enough customers that wanted them.

             Digital exacerbated this problem for the company in the mid ’10s (as it did for a number of camera manufacturers), though we did finally get a digital M camera with the M8.

             It helped. But not enough. The only way to survive the watershed changes in the industry was to market Leica as an ultra high-end luxury brand. Which is what they’ve done. And, yes, they’ve done that very successfully, as it turns out.

             Your argument puts the cart before the horse.

           • Facts: Leica was a high end luxury brand well before the M8 was launched. They were high end luxury with the M7 launch. Nothing has changed in that regard, at all. They always had expensive prices, oddball special editions, etc. The only thing that has changed is we are now dealing with digital, which is always more expensive than film cameras regardless of who makes them. The M8 saved Leica, the M9 and X1 REALLY saved Leica as those sold in huge amounts that they did not expect (which allowed them to start building the new factory). This led to massive lens sales (one year wait for a few lenses during the M9 days) and then they lost it with the X2 and Vario (which had lackluster sales numbers). The M 240 has done very well and continues to do very well for them. The T will also do well and from what I hear, pre-orders are going really good but I hardly call the T a luxury high end catering to the rich. If it were $3500 for the body then yea, high end luxury. $1900, no, not for what it is and offers (which Leica haters will never ever appreciate or see) Not at all. I know guys who earn 30k a year that own a Leica M9 or M and a couple of lenses because they choose to go without in other areas to enjoy their passion, and the M is part of their passion. But Leica has never been a huge volume company, though as I said, the M9 popularity and sales volume surprised them and took them up to a new level. The reason they built the new massive factory, to keep up with demand. Hopefully they can keep the good stuff coming.

           • Leica wasn’t a “luxury” brand in the 1970s and ’80s. I’ll agree it was a “prestige” brand … but the wholesale move towards “luxury” began after the turn of the 21st century (remember: the first semi-auto M didn’t arrive until 2002 with the M7 — that was the camera really ushered in all the “fashion editions”).

             No, the T isn’t really all that expensive. But add a couple of lenses and the equation changes instantly; you’re way above comparable cameras that offer more capability.

             I guess I seem like I’m beating up on Leica. I’m actually not. I think the M240 is damn close to perfect for its application, while maintaining the traditions of the M design. It would be cool on the next one if they had the ability to do a built-in hybrid OVF/EVF like what Fuji did on the X-Pro 1, but that may not be within their engineering capabilities. Give us a bigger, better screen on the back, an improved add-on EVF, tweak the high ISO performance further, and that’s really all they need to do.

             But regarding the T, I do think they could have spent less time and money on a superfluous case and new-fangled strap lugs (the solution to a problem no one had, frankly), and more on harmonizing feature sets so that the photographer can use the camera under a wider array of conditions.

             It’s certainly not an awful first attempt, technology-wise. Assuming it’s the Sony sensor (we don’t know that yet), then it’s a proven design. And it sounds as though the autofocus is competent. But there’s nothing here that is cutting edge, or class leading in the electronics department (admittedly, that’s never been Leica’s strong suit). Still, omitting image stabilization of any kind IS a serious handicap for this camera, IMO. I’m not convinced this camera is being marketed to serious, discriminating shooters.

             Now that Leica have been marketing themselves for a while as a luxury brand, it’s hard to differentiate on technology (especially against Japan Inc.) … so they differentiate on fashion-centric things like hewing the case out of solid aluminum, etc.

             As far as industrial design goes, I personally don’t find the T attractive at all. It really does have the same basic shape as an NEX, a design I always disliked. Seeing that form factor on a Leica just looks wrong to my eye.

             But again, the design aspect is really a personal thing.

             The tech argument is another matter, however.

             All of this excludes any discussions about Leica optics, which are, of course, consistently stellar.

166. Hey Steve, I have waited for this Leica T since I bought my X1 in 2010 and eventually exchanged it with a X2, which I am so happy with. Since I cannot justify the M I was really hoping for this Leica T. Being so excited about the release I as well was worried about how long a proper review would take, so your review on this release day is just the coolest thing ever, because your reviews are the best anyway! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Leica T!

     Yours Sven

     • Thanks for reading! Glad you enjoyed it and happy that Leica supplied me with a T for an early review. Always is best for the consumers IMO.

167. Searching on german language based sides for an explanation for the name Leica-T, I found something interresting. The design is made with a partner more familiar with automotive but now working on cnc solutions for designing. Audi design;

     Bei der Leica T (Typ 701) handelt es sich um eine kompakte Systemkamera, deren Äußeres zusammen mit Audi Design entworfen wurde. Das Gehäuse besteht aus einem Aluminium-Block, wobei die Vorderseite mit einer Materialmischung aus hartem Kunststoff und Silikon überzogen ist, die gegen Kratzer und Stöße schützen soll. Das Design ist minimalistisch – als Bedienelemente stehen neben dem Ein- und Ausschalter und den Auslöseknöpfen (für Foto und Video) lediglich zwei Einstellräder zur Verfügung.

     • Yes, they hired on the Audi Design Team to design the T. T stands for Typhoon of something like that, was the code name. They told me they just kept the T.

       • Steve,

         So does this connection make it an Audi camera and not a Leica? Now the target audience is revealed: Audi owners. lol.

         • Long time Audi owner here…and no, I will not be buying a Leica T.

           • “Vorsprung durch technik!!!” (shouted in a military German voice) gets a whole new meaning here Terry…

           • Yes, Michiel. We get those adverts here too in the UK

           • Audi cars are not hand made. If you like the Audi engines, specialy those from Audio Quatro Gmbh, but want a real hand made car, drive a Donkervoort. Premium like a Leica and developed in cooperation with Audi Quatro.

           • Joop,

             I’ve googled Donkervoort and, boy, are they ugly. Sorry. If you want a proper hand-made car, the English Morgan is the one.

           • Donkervoort = licensed Lotus 7 shape, as is Caterham, and some more probably. Ugly? Functional!

           • Steve, will you review cars as well? I’m planning on buying one. LOL

           • Apparently Audi have asked Leica to design their next car. It’ll cost $300,000 and the windshield will be a $100,000 optional extra.

           • Colin, that’s what Donkervoort is all about ….

           • Yes but …… it WILL have a little red dot! 🙂

           • Ah, but there will be two, at the rear in place of the stop lights, and when the brakes are applied they light up giving free advertising space to Leica. lol.

     • Not surprising. Audi also designed the ‘Leica C’ for Leica.

       I wonder if they considered having Jony Ive of Apple design it though? He did design a custom Leica M for them.

       An Audi/Apple collaboration would have been really cool!!

168. I don’t think the market is done with the retro styled cameras yet. If they ever will. This looks too futuristic for my taste and takes away some of the historical soul from photography… I think they could have skipped the cold aluminum and used strong polyurethane and kept the price down. But hey that LCD looks user friendly indeed. We’ll see how it will sell I guess…

     • I hope not. Nikon – please, please please bring back the S2 rangefinder design!

       • Good shout Mars, Nikon seem to always miss the target with their smaller cameras & CSC’s these days. But a digital version ala an S2 RF with good MF & AF focusing capability would be one heck of a camera system – I’d queue up for that!

         • Great review of this very nice-looking Leica “niche” camera system! As I’m invested in Nikon, I’m saving my pennies for the 60mm f/2.8 G Micro-Nikkor, itself a lens with a great reputation for sharpness. That said though, my “dream” camera is probably a Leica M9 with several of the legacy M lenses! However, that’s quite out of my financial realm at the moment.
           As for the comment about this site being “bought by Leica”…that would have made a great April Fool’s Day headline!

169. Awesome review as usual Steve. After the Valley of Fire trip, I definitely have had Leica envy. The EM-1 provided me with great images but the image quality or rendering of Leica is just something special. The cost of getting into an M system (even used) was not in my budget, however. The T, on the other hand, is within my budget. Preordering today!

170. Great review. Love the Apple design and interface. I will purchase thru your site from now on to assist your overhead. My question is the use of the camera without the external EVF. Just how limiting is this? What are the pros and cons. Keep up the excellent and timely reviewing.

     • Thank you! You can easily use the camera without the EVF but I am a viewfinder kind of guy so always used it except for 3-4 images. Works just like any other camera when using the LCD to frame.

171. Thanks for the review Steve!. In the websites of Leica Miami and BH the price of the EVF is 395, not 600.

     • sorry I replied on the first version of the review

172. I greatly enjoy my M and M9 and while this new camera looks great and seems like an OK performer, at $2,000 for the body, ? for the EVF and $600 for the M-adapter, you’re looking at more than the supposed selling price for the Fframe Sony A7S with an M-lens-adapter, and with the EVF, the Leica is probably the same size as the Sony if not taller than the Sony. This Leica to me, seems more like a design exercise than something that can be marketplace competitive.

173. Looks a lot like the NX300. I wouldn’t buy either one because of the handling and controls. Now obviously i have not handled the leica, but I still really like physical controls over a touch screen. Other than that the price of the lenses is way out of my budget for those type of lenses. It is always good to have more options. As always thank you for your work Steve. This was a good review.

174. It’s always difficult to get worked up about the conveyor belt of technology where practically all cameras deliver adequate images, but Steve’s enthusiasm is catching and that’s a good thing, renewing my interest and anticipation. As usual there’s a lot of talk about value for money and affordability as an absolute measure rather than a relative one. Generally speaking Leica has exceeded expectation and this looks particularly fun. For those who can’t afford an M-240 I’d suggest an M9. For serious photographers, hire a PR company or buy more books! I suspect the T will be interesting enough for many. 50 Summicron T please.

175. Wow, I’m sure the Apple, sorry Leica fans will love it 🙂 If any other company had made this it would be laughed out of the room, machined from a solid aluminium billet – come on how tedious is that! . Every day that passes sees Leica move away from it’s roots and they seem intent on becoming the Apple of the camera world including re-inventing ideas seen other peoples products and claiming them as firsts or their own ideas. And yes I have owned several Leica’s so I don’t hate them or can’t afford them but the ones I owned were worth the premium prices as they were better than the competition at that moment in time, now buyers are just paying a premium for the brand logo. I can’t think of any Leica camera now that is “the absolute best” in it’s class – nuff said.

     • I think the Leica is interesting but have to agree – machining the body from solid aluminum is (IMHO) a completely silly use of resources (the cost to do that could have been better used to provide weather sealing… or better yet… to offer a lower price)

       • It wasn’t the CNC body that raised my eyebrows, as I rather liked that. However, I watched the first 14 minutes or so of the 45 minute video showing the body being polished “by hand” for 45 minutes. Don’t know who else watched this, but he starts off with, essentially, a piece of emery cloth wrapped around a stick. OMG! In what alternate universe is this a selling point? Romania? Circa 1714? I work as a metal craftsman myself, doing custom one-offs, but for something mass produced, this is a nutty level of inefficiency. Besides, aluminum is soft. I love the look of the camera, but, unless it sits on a shelf it’s entire life, that exquisite finish, which most certainly does not need to be done by hand, won’t be unmarked after one week of normal use.
         This reminds me of Kiseki phono cartridges in years past. One of their selling points was that the final polishing of the diamond was done with human hair. Polishing a diamond with hair, think about the futility of that. But, It did add to the mystique, especially if one was already a true believer, or very stupid. Not knocking the camera, but there is definitely a lot of sizzle being sold with this steak, and saying, in essence, “it’s a Leica, you should overpay for it” doesn’t seem an adequate defense.
         Good review, though, as always, and welcome.

176. Hi, Steve, I’d like to suggest a comparison between Leica T and Sony A7, since they have similar prices. Regards.

     • I’d love to and will eventually but have to wait until I get the T again.

       • This always comes up with a new camera. I know this is a targeted review but you really should always shoot some duplicate shots with a competitors camera at the same time since these are real world examples. Especially for a new camera that few will have for many weeks. You wouldn’t have to take dups of every shot but static images like the gas pump should have be shot with another camera just so we would have a real comparison. This would be a great service to your readers,and maybe some would take your enthusiasm a little more seriously. Otherwise, those pictures could have been from any recent camera.

         • It must be troublesome to compare every camera he reviews with a peer while not being paid to do so, but If I could ask for another thing, I love those crazy comparisons between very different cameras, like Nikon 1 x Leica M, or Sony RX100 x Fuji X. I’d love to see Leica T x Panasonic GX7, both with Leica lenses more tha versus the Sony A7. 😀

177. +1
     And it looks like a samsung nx300. Same body and same zoom. Oh and the NX300 is only $500.
     But you will not get the red dot.

     • Finally someone else sees that, and dares to post that. LoL! Not bad looking though, if you favour stretched arm photography.

178. $1700 for the zoom? Leica is either 1. smoking the good stuff, or 2. marketing genius.

     It’s not bad, but I’m not convinced. I think in the aps c mirrorless world, Fuji is still King (even if leica can charge a premium for the same thing).

179. Great review steve, thanks a bunch. Is the touch screen hard to see in the bright sunlight like the iphone?

180. This is going to be a real winner for Leica… I already placed my order for the whole package… Great review Steve, another outstanding job… Thank you!

     • Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it and let me know how you like it when you get it all in. Thanks!

       • I will… its all in Ken Hansen’s hands for now… LOL…

181. A few observations:

     With the EVF included it is double the price of the Fuji X-T1 ($2.2K versus $4.4K)…

     The Fuji X-T1 has good ISO performance though and an excellent and bright built-in EVF…

     Only x3 and x6 magnification available as manual focusing aid…? Really?

     About the IQ being better, how can you really tell when only looking at JPEGs? What counts for me is the file you obtain after using a capable raw converter.

182. Nice review & vid, thanks Steve.

     Looks nice for what it is, well made, nice touchscreen etc, etc but ….. UK price is £2700.00 for body & 23mm – £2700.00 !!!!!!!!!!!!! Add to that the cost of the clip on EVF too. ROTFPML – Leica you really are having an absolute laugh!

183. “For my personal use I will eventually just own the M and a T.”

     Steve does that mean you won’t be using your EM-1 anymore? If so that means this is a pretty impressive camera!

     • Steve said that the EM1 had become an indispensable camera for him..He wrote that its combination of great IQ, size and shoot anything anytime speed and accuracy was a killer combination. And now all of a sudden, after a short few moths Steve is selling his EM1 for this Leica. Steve, go back and read all the reviews you wrote about how the EM1 satisfied all you needs and was so spectacular. And now tell us why all those qualities no longer matter to you as they did? It looks like the main reason seems to be you like the picture quality a bit more and not much else. It seems your caught up ion the emotion, like you were caught up with the EM1 and that within months this new T will be sold too. jeremy

       • It has been almost year since I have had the E-M1 in my hands for the 1st time. As I have stated about 20 times here, it is MY JOB to change cameras often, it is what I do. I shoot for this site, I review cameras, I have to use the latest and greatest ALL OF THE TIME so I can write about them, report on them, etc. The E-M1 is one of my favorite of all time, as well as the RX1. IN my top three of all time, for me. But I can not keep EVERY SINGLE camera that I buy or use or own when I have to constantly buy new ones that come out. I still own a GX7 which I will be using for the next 6-12 months, a change of pace from the E-M1 so I can full appreciate the differences. Just because I buy and E-M1 and love it and make it “camera of the year” does not mean I will keep it forever or for more than a year. I still have quite a few M 4/3 lenses (12mm, 20 1.7II, 42.5 Nocticron, 45 Oly, etc) but the bodies come and go.

         It seems you get caught up in your own emotion as I am guessing you own an E-M1 and for me to state I am no longer shooting with one upsets you. Odd, that my choice of what I keep and sell would affect anyone. The E-M1 is a hell of a camera, one of the best. If I did not run this site I would own an E-M1 and M, thats it. Maybe even an E-M1 and RX1. But again, I am a reviewer and this is my 60 hour per week job. If I kept old cameras I would have nothing new to write about. So many fail to understand this when it should be plain as day. The T will be kept for 6-12 months as I use it long term, then it will be on to the next. The only camera I will ever keep long term is my Leica M as I did with the M8, M9 and now M 240. That is my #1 fave. The #2, #3, etc – they all have to say bye bye eventually. I do not have the unlimited funds to keep them all. Wish I did, as it would be even better for me and this site but just not possible.

184. Thanks for the comprehensive review here, Steve.

     Although the camera has a nice built and usability quality I really cannot aggree with Leica’s strategy. After the X and X Vario now again an APS-Camera?? I don’t quite believe this…

     This T-Model should have been the M for the next decade or so! But not with this specs… I haven’t been moving from the M9 to the M (240) but I’m using the Sony a7R now most of the time and probably I will trade the M9 in for the a7S soon. I even got used to the strange Sony-menus and somtimes the shutter vibrations…

     I love the build quality and the usabiity of what I see here in the T, but the technical details are not what I would need at all. I would love to see an M (241 or whatever number) that looks and feels like the T, maybe a little bigger, but with a “real” sensor, silent shutter and EVF. If they have that ready I’ moving back from Sony bodies (which are totally fine with the Leica lenses that I’ll keep forever b.t.w.)

     Sorry, another disappointment on my side again.

     Best, Robert

185. Not read the entire review but the look of the images from the review, especially the two guys betting at the races (great pic, by the way), remind me strongly of the look from my Pentax 31mm Ltd. High praise indeed, for those who know. Body price lower than I expected.

186. At some point plastics and carbon composites were the materials of the future. Incredible strength and lightness….what happened to that.

     ……where is my carbon fibre camera..with carbon fiber lenses surrounds.

     I don’t honestly care about things being made of “metal” I want them to be made well…and mostly be made of kick ass!

187. Hi Steve, thank you for you very thorough review. The review is very balanced. And I tend to agree with you. The Leica T will probably be a hit. I have been searching for a while for a perfect digital camera after I stopped making color slides on film with my Minolta XD7. Most digital camera’s did disappoint or ended up unused because I did not like the outcome or the camera haptics. Then I settled for a Ricoh GXR M Mount. And I really love that little camera for haptics and image quality. Nowadays the Ricoh GXR is my compact backup camera next to my Leica M240 with a few Leica lenses.

     Would it be possible for you to make a comparison between the Leica T and the Ricoh GXR M Mount both with manual focus Leica lenses? Can the Leica T outperform the Ricoh GXR ?

     Cheers,
     Daan

     • Good observation. I have the ricoh gxr m with a12 M module – a fantastic camera.

188. My concern would be grabbing the camera normally, and any unintentional soft button presses of my thumb on the touchscreen, what was your experience with this?

189. Thanks for the review. These are some of my favorite review pictures you’ve taken and I am impressed with the IQ/size of the zoom. Leica being Leica can get away with a lot. I wonder what Fuji (or even, dare I say it, Sony) could do with a variable, slow aperture zoom with no stabilization and a $1700 price point.

     While I think constant aperture and stabilization are often overrated (I use a lot of great vintage glass and rarely feel these two points rarely hold me back) any other camera company would be crucified for releasing such a lens—with any level of IQ—at any price point.

190. While the Leica T is not for me — the only lens that interests me is the 23/2, and I already have an RX1 — I applaud Leica for making a beautiful, apparently thoughtfully designed, truly premium product. But I do have a question: is the EVF “haptically” compatible with the touchscreen? I would think it would be difficult to work the camera’s controls while holding the camera to your eye.

191. Beautiful finish to the camera though not very practical….would likely result in tonnes of scratches and/or easily dropped due to the smooth finish. Maybe I’m the only one but I am underwhelmed by the colours in these photos….not to my personal taste.

     Nice review, quite thorough and an interesting read as always!

192. Would comment on your thoughts of the buying a OMD-E1 vs. the T?
     Thanks, and great review!

193. No inbuild EVF… Hugh disappointment!
     No silent electronic shutter… Just not interesting!

     • Pierre, I do not pretend to understand the engineering behind digital sensors. However, it is not as simple as you think to make a sensor with a purely electronic shutter.

       The RED sensors (13Mpx and 18Mpx) do have purely electronic shutters, and their refresh rate is very high. But such sensors use a lot of power, and as a consequence, produce a lot of heat. The Nikon 1 cameras (and of course iPhones etc.) do have electronic shutters but those cameras have small sensors.

       If anyone knows better, let me know!

194. The question is: is this new Leica body better than the A7r? I suspect is not. So…why would I want to cash out nearly 2000 USD for the Leica T when I can get an A7/A7r?

     • I guess for the same reason as why you would pick more attractive women over the less attractive one and even if you did end up in the situation that you’d have to pay for one the same amount of money, choice would be even simpler i guess 😉

     • You wouldn’t. And I bet, won’t.

195. Dear Steve, can you shot RAW file alone? Can you store files in SD card and internal memory as an back up ?
     Thanks for the great review….
     Alexander

     • Alexander, It cannot at the moment just shoot RAW. According to the manual, if there is a card in the slot, it’ll save to the card. If no card, it’ll save to the internal memory. There is a menu option to copy files to/from the card/internal memory, but I saw no other memory card management options.

196. Well, it seems like I have a perfect solution, just watch and wait as cameras get neater and cooler. I waited for seven years with my Nikon D70s, then bought two years ago, thought I was cool for while, got bummed that I wasn’t anymore, watched cooler cameras come out, waited some more, decided the problems with my pictures are still usually caused by the guy pressing the button not focusing, shaking the camera, or not seeing good pictures. I think I’m going to stay in wait mode for now. Seems like the rate of change is only speeding up. This one seems very interesting. So does the A7s. The longer I wait….

197. All that’s needed now is a nice autofocus Contax-G-to-Leica-T lens adaptor, and there’d be ready-to-use 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 45mm and 90mm wide-aperture autofocus lenses (at low prices) just scampering off eBay and jumping onto this body.

     • This has been the holy grail of the NEX community for years. Owning a Deo-Tech AF adapter I’m very skeptical it will ever be done. The E-mount is supposed to be “open” and the adapter is still very slow and rudimentary. With PDAF support (which Sony’s new cameras have but I don’t believe the X/T Leica sensor supports) Contax G AF will always be slow.

198. An interesting camera.
     Not sure about the touch screen.
     Love the fact that there is M mount adapter opens up a whole world of lens.
     Steve what about other M mount lens … that are not 6 bit ?
     How is the camera working with those lens?

     • Cant say as I did not try any that were not 6-Bit.

       • hmm, would love to seehow the adaptor handles the M glass, the Leica site creeped me a little by being oddly specific about ’20 different M lenses’ perhaps thats just referring to the current lineup though. Would lve to see hw the the f1 or 0.95 nocti look on it, or maybe some vintage glass like an old 5cm summitar… might just do that if the GAS gets me 😉

         • Yes, please, test some non-coded lenses and especially the zeiss zm’s – when you get a chance. Obviously important to many of your readers.

           • I would if I could but had to send it back. I only had it for 7 days, and those days flew by and were filled with me working on the review every day. Did not have any non coded lenses on hand. When I get it again in May I will test these things but I am sure someone else will beat me to it.

199. I’m really intrigued by the new T. Looks like a stunning camera. Thanks for the write-up!

     Any chance of seeing out of camera jpgs, that haven’t gone through a lot of post-processing?

     I’m especially looking at the photo of the Mobilgas gas pump, which shows typical HDR halos.
     This makes me wonder just how much “the lens made this image pop”, and how much you did with post-processing…?

     • Sorry about that! I just replaced that image with the correct one which is a direct from RAW file. JPEGS will all be different depending on the color mode you choose. Vivid is a bit overdone and has too much contrast IMO, and I had the camera on Vivid for that shot. For the RAW file though it does not matter.

       • Thank you, Steve! Looks much more natural to me now – and still an amazing amount of detail and microcontrast…

200. over the last years, the camera producer launched so many great cameras, starting with the x100, the omd, the A7 and lots of others I was really excited about, but that is in my eyes pretty boring and only for the guys who are willing to pay extra for the red button.
     a camera i’m absolute not interested in. sorry leica

201. The o t h e r great photo blogger, Ming Thein, on the T: “I believe the Leica T is the first generation of a paradigm shift in the way we control and interact with our cameras.”

     • I’m not convinced on that point 🙂

       • i hope not….it’ll be like your using your telephone!!!!

202. How does it compare in size; to the X1/X2, Sony A7?

203. Great review, beautiful camera. One question. Do you know if two wheels are programmable? I would love to use one to control the exposure compensation.

204. Thank you for the interesting and extensive review. My only concern is that it is hard to tell the IQ of the camera from the posted images since, with all due respect, many look like they are ever so slightly out of focus and appear over-sharpened. I may be wrong but that is how they appear to me (my monitor is color calibrated and my ipad has the retina display). Once the firmware is final production, it may be useful to post unprocessed raw files and make a comparison with the Fuji x-t1 as both the T and the Fuji are class leading at this time, with the kit zooms and with an M-mount lens.

     • Thanks for reading! I have to say that I do not see one image that is even a smidgen out of focus. Care to fill me in one which one you are looking at that appears to be out of focus? Unless you are looking at the few with shallow DOF and mistaking that for out of focus. 75% of the images here are direct from RAW, a few have had adjustments within the RAW processing (a slider here or there) but no Photoshop PP.

       • It appears I was mistaken; my apologies. I didn’t realize that a larger, more detailed image was available on clicking. On rechecking though, and given the harsh light and the images are direct from raw as you say, the camera looks like it has a smaller dynamic range than other mirrorless cameras (bearing in mind that digital cameras are more like the slide film of old with their narrower dynamic range that negative film). I’m thinking Sony A7 or Fuji X-T1. See in particular the betting image, the background of the gas pump, the background of the racing horse, the store front. They appear over-sharpened and harsh but then again this could be Arizona light. Also, there is purple and green fringing in the two donkey image and purple fringing in the hair of the donkey by the blue pails. Is it also possible that the camera’s white balance is off in the 3 gas pump, the wall painting? I’m wondering if this camera shares some of the weaknesses of the M240 in dynamic range and auto white balance. Mind you, some if not all of these issues can be corrected either in camera through scene/light choice, custom white balance and post-processing. Having said this then it is difficult to determine if the sensor and its processing software is no better or worse than other mirrorless sensors and the degree of difficulty required to obtain an excellent raw image to produce a gallery quality print, even if the camera is Apple-like in design and with several innovative features to it. Again, many thanks for your very helpful review and posted images that stress tested the camera.

         • Arizona light is very harsh, at least it was twenty years ago… 😉

205. Hi Steve,

     You mentioned in the review that you will be only using the M and the Leica T. Does this mean you are/or have gotten rid of your EM1 and Sony A7?

     • I had the RX1, E-M1, M and GX7. I will now have the M, T and keep the GX7 for some video work here and there (youtube). Then when the A7s arrives, it may throw me for a loop if the low light is truly as good as it looks. 🙂

       • Wow you got rid of the RX1? Just curious why considering full frame/image quality/lens quality for small size…………. I thought that would have been in your arsenal for a long time.

206. Great review, thanks.

     About the camera – the looks are very modern, and cool – until you add on the EVF which looks like a periscope. I do believe I would love the back screen.

     Price seems fair for a hand built Leica body and Leica quality lenses. I would think this camera would be very appealing to current M owners. The question is, will it appeal to anybody else? I’ve been using Sony NEX’s for the last 3 years and have held off on the new full frame A7 camera because I sense something better and perhaps even revolutionary coming in terms of new sensors. This appears to be a great new system and it’s good to see Lecia moving in this direction. Although tempting, I still enjoy what I have enough to stick with my Sony.

     • Machined body. Polished by hand – in all of 45 minutes, lol. A very expensive 45 minutes it would seem.
       Lenses, made in Japan by “not Panasonic” but definitely using Lumix aesthetics. Look so similar to my Lumix kit lenses that it really makes one wonder…someone will find out, and I don’t think Leica will be pleased when they do.
       And an APS-C sensor that also seems Japanese, and maybe even not the top example of that. Beats an XA1 sensor (Sony?) Not to my way of seeing. Not close.
       Whatever. Only reading from mild interest, nice design, shame about pretty much everything else.
       Gearblographers jump from camera to camera, inevitably displaying their biases (can’t help it, so not condemning ) so, as the poster with the EOS-M comparison , and myself with years of using very comprehensive Panasonic G3 touchscreens, just take another pinch of salt, and disperse it.

207. I find it incredibly…. ironic?… that Leica, with all it’s history of being the “photographers camera” is putting something out that is more akin to what Sony might have done, with the touch-screen-only interface and lack of dials and buttons, while Fuji has found so much success in it’s back-to-the-basics ergonomics.

     Not to say that’s a bad thing at all… it’s just… interesting. This is not the camera I would have expected Leica to produce… in so many ways. And even the price-point!

     It looks to be a great camera and I’d love to try it, but my heart still wants an M-E or M9. 🙂

     • Certainly a bold step for a company that’s synonymous with ‘rangefinder’.

     • mmm…i don’t know Amy. I think this is a photographers camera. Aperture and shutter speed at back. I think it’s just the interface and design which makes people think this but underneath all that it looks very simple to me.

208. Maybe a stupid question …. But is there a reason to choose for the letter T?

     • Joop,

       There probably is. M= Messersucher (rangefinder) and R = Reflex, and T = ? Dunno. 😀

       • T for Typhoon says Ming Thein in his review, so does Sean Reid and that other guy 🙂

       • (zu) Teuer.

         • gh,

           I see a man with a great sense of humour. 😀

           • Turmsucher. Look it up Terry!

           • Oh well. Turretfinder. But it doesn’t find a turret. I think.

           • Using google translate provides “tower viewfinder”, and which looking at the camera with it attached, sort of makes some sense. But I suspect it is a word that doesn’t translate well into English.

             I did like Teuer though – “expensive”

           • Hello guys, I´m Austrian (Vienna), so maybe I can help… M stands for Messsucher (not “Messersucher”, this would mean “knife finder” in German ;-)). The T stands for Taifun which means typhoon. This had been the poject name during the development and Leica decided to keep it because T is a symmetrical, sexy letter ;-).

             Liebe Grüße aus Wien
             Patrick

           • Patrick,

             Thanks for the correct German. I don’t speak German and relied on my memory for what the M stood for.

             It was interesting to learn that even a spelling mistake by me produced something that made sense. 😀

             The letter “T” sexy? No, but “S” is. It positively ssssssizzles,

209. So, as suposed (even tho it was lower than I thought) … overpriced 🙁 like everything Leica touches.
     The Screen interface … good for my wife and that type of people (God bless Apple is not making cameras).
     The camera itself … Fugly as a Nex7 (is the first camera that came to my mind as soon as I saw it).
     The viewfinder … I was expecting $300-400 but this is ridiculous.

     Image quality looks nice from the examples we see here.

     The niche cameras, the pride of ownership … screw it!. Give me something that works and works good, sturdy and reliable. To the day the only cameras Leica has like that are the M series and we all know. “But man!, the T is made of a solid aluminun block!”, yup, and the back of the camera is a whole piece of glass.

     You might or might not like the X-Trans sensor look (and I’m not a Fuji fanboy, as a matter of fact I only have an X10 and I’m thinking in selling it), but so far seems than Fuji, and latelly Sony (A7 series) are the only brands that know what they are doing. I wish other brands would copy their approach.
     We want OVF/EVF build in camera, we want solid metal bodies and … we want buttons!, physical buttons that we can touch with our fingers without needing to remove our eye from the viewfinder.

     Obviously this camera is casted to the amateur photographer that has money to burn or want desperatelly to have something with the leica logo hangging from his shoulder. For those that take photography more seriously I think this camera is just another Leica joke.

     • I suggest reading the review. 🙂

       • I did. And watched the video. Both things.
         This is just my opinion, I’m not going against your review or with it. I was just writing my personal opinion on the T.

210. I dunno. Seems awfully similar to the Sonys and their brethren. I can see this as a second camera for someone with an M system who wants to travel light and bring this body and a couple of M lenses. But, as a main camera, You would really need to buy M lenses to get the most of what this camera would seem to have to offer. At that price, a used M9 or ME might be a better choice.

     • So not true. I suggest reading the full review. An M-E would cost you MUCH MUCH more and you will miss out on a few things. Native lenses will get you the most out of the camera. M lenses will give you the shallow DOF possibilities. No focus issues (like an ME will get you eventually), AF (which the ME does not have) – $1850 vs $5k for the body (used ME not the best idea, no warranty) – M lenses are much more expensive than the T lenses – IQ wise, the T offers the best WB and color of any Leica camera made today besides maybe the S. The T is NOTHING like the Sony, Fuji, Olympus, etc. That is the point. It is simple, elegant, extremely well made, high performance, awesome to use and the best APS-C IQ I have seen from any camera. Does it cost more? Yes, but you get what you pay for in more ways then one (build, joy of use, IQ, etc). Some will hate it, some will love it, but its a great option for those who want a VERY nice camera without spending M money. Use one for a week or so and see for yourself.

       • Well right now I’m still enjoying my X2, and I know the mixed reception many gave that camera. I guess I just enjoy the “old school” feel of a camera with dials and knobs. Then again, that’s not for everyone. I will wait to check the T out at my local dealer. I trust your reviews, and thanks for the time and effort you put in on this one.

211. That new 23mm Cron would be nice on the Fuji X-T1 🙂

212. Leica have produced a very beautiful camera with the qualities I (as a long time M user) have always admired them for namely: Elegant design, Simplicity of use and most importantly beautiful images plus that something extra- you call “fun factor”. Excellent review. As you Americans say “What’s not to like?” Price maybe? but in a same same world of today -maybe you have to spend some more to get something unique.

     Best Wishes

213. Hmm, I really hope you reply to this Steve!

     I am a proud owner of the EOS-M and love it to death! So the new Leica T with its lens lineup made me feel like I had seen something like that before? The 18-56mm lens with the same aperture values and the 23mm

     f/2…ok. Now I’m hoping that I wont offend you with my ‘Opinion’ since thats what it is.

     I will quote some paragraphs from your EOS-M Review

     “The EOS-M is also very small and overly simplified to the point where it is basically a point and shoot with an APS-C sensor. There are no real dials or enthusiast buttons and I am puzzled as to why Canon even released

     this.”

     BUT for the Leica T

     “The new touchscreen system is an absolute JOY to use. Simple, smooth, fast and very intuitive. I have not seen anything like it in ANY other camera. This is a forward move for Leica, and IMO, a good one for this

     camera. The surprise is that there are NO buttons or dials on the back. It is 100% touch for the settings and menu. In fact, it was so intuitive I started to easily prefer this to any other cameras menu system! No D-Pad, no

     dials, no buttons to bitch and moan about”

     The EOS-M

     “They only have two lenses for it, the 22 and a 18-55 kit quality zoom. That is it. For $799 with the 22mm (which will almost give you a 35mm equivalent due to its APS-C sensor) and no EVF, VF or real controls, I would

     buy a NEX-6, NIkon V1, Olympus OM-D or even a Fuji X-E1 over the Canon EOS-M”

     My say about the M (The M…lol)

     You never mentioned the amazing magnesium alloy body which screams of luxury. It is for a fact that the EOS-M is built like a tank. I understood the part where you didn’t like the camera due to the old firmware which

     resulted in turtle slow AF like you said but you never even bothered to write a review again with the new firmware which makes the AF faster or on par with most bridge cameras or high-end point and shoots or post

     some shots with the Summilux (I really wanted to see that post Steve!). The EOS-M can easily shoot acceptable shots at ISO 6400 with a bit of NR in post maybe but it is extremely good till ISO 1600 or even 3200 like other

     Canon DSLR’s with the same sensor(Please Canon, change the sensor already!). So the EOS-M is on par with the Leica T in the High ISO Department as well. As far as IQ, colour and sharpness is concerned, The EOS-M

     with 22mm f/2 lens which is mind-blowing produces punchy shots with great sharpness. I really don’t know how it would fare compared to the Leica T but I would really love if you could do a comparison in the coming

     months?

     All I can say is that give the underdog a chance and maybe review it again! It really is an excellent camera Steve 😀

     • The EOS M is NOTHING at all like the T. I should know, I had one here for a while. I hated it. It was nothing like the T in its simplicity, elegance, use, IQ or lens quality. It felt like a toy and was very slow to focus, much slower than the T. It had no future in my eyes and it was a sales flop for Canon. The EOS-M is a different kind of camera. IQ, color, sharpness goes to the T without question. Ive used them both and it is no contest for joy of use, build, feel, design, lenses, color, sharpness, micro contrast, etc. I do not like the EOS-M and there are not many reviewers who did.

       • Steve, I think you did not answer the question:

         “The EOS-M is also very small and overly simplified to the point where it is basically a point and shoot with an APS-C sensor. There are no real dials or enthusiast buttons and I am puzzled as to why Canon even released this.”
         BUT for the Leica T

         “The new touchscreen system is an absolute JOY to use. Simple, smooth, fast and very intuitive. I have not seen anything like it in ANY other camera. This is a forward move for Leica, and IMO, a good one for this

         camera. The surprise is that there are NO buttons or dials on the back. It is 100% touch for the settings and menu. In fact, it was so intuitive I started to easily prefer this to any other cameras menu system! No D-Pad, no

         dials, no buttons to bitch and moan about”

         Did you change your opinion?
         To me both seem like a point and shoot in a APS-C sensor. What’s the difference?

         • Who cares? You’re an adult (probably), you can make up your own mind. Just go ahead and do it. And while we’re on the subject of adults, consistency of opinions proffered to the environment at large is something you teach your kids, not necessarily practice yourself.

           • sorry I really don’t understand what you mean. Adult? well I am 57

             And old enough to understand that the reason for a reviewer to hate a camera is the same for him love it.
             Sorry to much controversy about a point&shot……

           • I fully agree. What I meant was you should be, and probably are, able to make up your own mind, instead of relying on one or the other rave review.

           • We are in fine tune
             Cheers

214. Hi Steve,

     I´m surprised a little bit about your positive conclusion, as often when it comes to Leica cameras.

     I am German, I am no Leica hater at all (I actually do not know even how to hate a company that produces cameras) and I am a huge, huge fan of high quality products. But, sorry, Leica is on the wrong track. Completely. Maybe not in an economic sense, but in an innovative and technological sense. Their products are absolutely overpriced (OK, they have always been, but not that much as they are today), not innovative at all and by far not even good enough to compete with many other products from companies like Fuji or Olympus (or Nikon, Canon, Sony …). That´s a fact!

     I have no problem if people like to own Leicas, like to shoot them, like to look at them, like to collect them or whatever they want to do with them. But I am really sceptical towards reviews raving cameras because they are a Leica.

     1850$ for the body only is a lot of money. A camera is not worth the money automatically because it is produced in Germany or because it has a red dot. It is worth the money if a) it is that good or if b) the market appraises its worth so high. And that´s the problem: Leicas have that worth because there are – beside some photographers of course – many rich people and collectors in the world who are willing to pay so much money for them. Period. This is not a new product from Apple, which mostly is (was) innovative and sort of special. This camera is not unique by any means. It´s just another MLC…

     Leica did so many embarrassing faults in the last years (M8 sensor with magenta problem, M9 with a crappy and cheap display and not competitive ISO performance, X1 (puh), X Vario (oh my dear…), and so on). Normally a company producing non competitive stuff would become bankrupt. They are not because they have found an austrian investor a few years ago and they have managed successfully to implement their Leica myth: ‘concentrate on the essentials’. I can´t hear this slogan any more 😉 They still use this let´s say 40 or 50 year old marketing slogan not because it´s the right way, not because it stands for ‘pure photography’, but because it´s hip and smart and they are not able to produce innovative products. Period again. There are many products made in Germany which are good, sometimes unique and which give you a value for the money. Leica products don´t. They give you the feeling to belong to the family of serious and famous photographers and using a special tool. Everyone should be free to be willing to pay for this, it´s OK. But…

     Just the 5 cents of a German non Leica hater who is disappointed that a German company deeply related to photography and known to be a milestone, maybe THE milestone, for the history of (editorial and documentary) photography is going this way…

     No offense meant!

     Enjoy and keep on shooting, with Leicas or whatever 😉

     Cheers,
     Peter

     • I call it like I see it, just as I did with the Leica X Vario (which I was not a fan of). You have noy used the T, I have. My comments are based on my actual use of the camera, not by looking at an image of it and feeling disappointment (as I did before I saw it and used it). Leica will have a hit with the T, I guarantee it. I predicted the flop of the vario, and it flopped. But not everyone will like it, its all personal choice and preference.

       • Maybe you will be right with your bet on a hit. I would not understand this and I´m pretty sure it will no be a huge success in Europe, but maybe in other parts of the world. We will see…

         Apart from this… sometimes there is no need to use something to like it or not. There are other cameras I did not shoot with and nevertheless I know exactly I´m not interested in. Yes, I know that this will not be my camera just by seeing an image of it, the price of it and the concept of it. That´s all.

         And I still can be disappointed by Leicas way and critizice it… others may think different. My point was a little bit more complicated and concerning Leicas products more in general. But it´s a free world and it´s good to have the choice. If others have other priorities and another view on things, hey, OK. The only thing I don´t understand is the ‘argument’ not be able or allowed to criticize something without having used it.

         Cheers,
         Peter

         • How many lenses and cameras do they actually have to sell for this to be a “hit?” The profit margin on the lenses must be huge, and pretty high on the camera itself. If you were to buy both lenses and camera you would have to spend $5450… That my friends is insane. I am not a Leica hater either, I have an M6 TTL that I adore. Other than design, I just don’t see any class leading innovation here. I agree that a product produced by Leica in Germany does not automatically command a luxury price; this is branding plain and simple. Aesthetics and UI are important, but as Steve has pointed out multiple times in this review, we have reached the point of convergence and sufficiency with digital sensors in all classes: APS-C, FF, Meduim format. Especially as there are only a few sensor producers, you can get the exact same sensor in multiple different brands/systems. This product is too little to late, and much too expensive. That being said, I don’t care if someone wants to buy one, but I just think this is a bad product for Leica too. It reminds me of the Hassleblad lunar. Upscale materials, middle/upper pack performance, stratospheric price. I don’t care how good that zoom lens is, it can be 2X-3X times better than a competitor, and I think it will go down as the most expensive, slowest APS-C lens in human history. I agree with you Peter, we should be able to criticize what we see here because its a known quantity. In other words, that chip is ubiquitous in the market, and even its its implementation is slightly better here than others, the cost is still prohibitive. Plus the reviewers have told us its not the fastset to focus, and the EVF is not the greatest. PS this thing is not handmade. Its prob CNC and PCB. Maybe someone screws the boards together, but a handmade Leica is something of the past.

       • While I’m not sure the Leica T ‘is for me’, I definitely agree Steve. I think this model will ‘re-invigorate’ the Leica line and open up a new market for them. I expect it will be a big success!

         And more quality camera manufacturers… more photography innovation… is always a good thing for the consumers regardless of whether you shoot Leica, Nikon, Canon, Sony or Olympus!

         So… well done Leica!

     • Peter, I was like you at the start of this morning. I predicted that Leica would produce another run of the mill, expensive toy for the rich and ignorant. Even when the presentation started and all they talked about was the block of aluminium and 45 minutes of hand finishing. My immediate thought was “that’ll make it cost more! I was sitting with my friend and dealer and we both had written it off before the presentation ended. We hung around because they had some for us to play with and after 20 minutes with it, I really wanted one. It felt rock solid, the interface was astoundingly good and very intuitive but I felt that the grip was a bit too wide for my hands The only downer was that I’d have to wait until July for the black one.

       I didn’t really get the coloured covers, but whatever floats your boat. They had one with the yellow cover on it and I have to say why produce a gorgeous aluminium body and then cover it in a plastic cover (and matching strap!), but as I said, whatever floats your boat.

       As for the price, when I saw the price list I though the body was well priced (on the Leica scale of pricing), which was a major surprise, but the lenses and other accessories were a bit steep. But we’re talking Leica here, a smallish producer whose reaction to high demand seems to be to put up prices.

       Just my 2c

       • Hi calvin228,

         I´m still neither impressed nor convinced 😉
         4K $ for a block of aluminium with EVF and 2.0/23mm lens… and NOTHING special. Sorry, no way. But I´m impressed by the state Leica or Made in Germany still seem to have in the world… and enjoy using superior cameras for 1/4 of the price 😉

         I lost the hope Leica would produce something like a Fuji X100 or X-Pro1 in a superior quality AND with an innovative concept…

         • Peter, Your” facts” are opinions. You say you are not a Leica hater but that is all that comes through in your comments. It is clear in your dismissal of the M8,and the M9 which have been used to take zillions of superb images. You simply spout nonsense, and I doubt that you have ever used a Leica.

           • Wow, I didn’t know there were people out there who thought you HAVE to use a Leica, in order to take great pictures.

             By the way, some iPods are made from one piece of Aluminum, nothing special, really.

             And I’d bet the Fuji X-T1 will run rings around this Leica, performance, IQ and Ergonomics.

           • The X-T1 will absolutely run rings around this new Leica.

             Doesn’t have an Oyster case, though. 😉

             However, fyi: the latest magnesium alloy is 35% lighter than aluminum and 20-40% stronger.

             Leica = aluminum chassis
             Fuji X-T1 = magnesium alloy chassis

             Hmmm…

           • I have to reply here because space has run out in the sub-thread below.

             Apart from the qualitative assessment by Steve on this website, the quantitative numbers can be found on photozone.de under their lens review section.

             On finding them, I gather that you would be able to work out how to consolidate their MTF numbers taking account the difference in c.50% linear resolution between A7r cameras which FE lenses are tested on and X-Trans cameras which Fuji lenses are tested on.

             I’m a believer of one having to do some (correct) legwork to arrive at an objective conclusion by oneself rather than us wasting more space below so hopefully you can do that.

             “Not that numbers and graphs mean squat to photographers” so I gather that you (or me) demanding to see them means that you are not one? I think this casual dismissal is a poor sidestepping move.

           • Robert, I was wondering, apart from the obvious technical complications in cutting (CNC) a block of aluminium to be a camera body, it would also make maintenance, in the sense of reaching the innards, a strange affair. I suppose (almost) everything is attached to the large display, which also functions as the entrance door to the body?

           • Just to add but not directing at you. Why is it that Fuji camera owners have to come to all the posts/threads to say that their camera is better?

             Don’t see many Canon/Nikon/Sony/Olympus people doing that around here.

           • Simple. Canon and Nikon don’t make mirrorless cameras of any consequence, or that compete with this Leica.

             Couldn’t tell you what’s up with the Sony owners, other than the fact their system is fraught with problems.

             Olympus doesn’t really compete either; smaller sensor

             Fuji has the best APS mirrorless system today, bar none.

           • Robert,

             Can you expand, please? I have a Nex 5N and an A7, and an R1, but this doesn’t count in the current discussion. What exactly are the fraught with problems I’m supposed to be experiencing?

           • For one, I don’t think so. I have an X-T1 and am considering selling it and getting an X-T1 because of the X-Trans supposedly good IQ

             Also Fuji lenses are claimed to be sharp but they (including the ‘pixie-dust sprinkled’ 561.2) are not compared to Leica or Sony (55 FE). There are numbers and graphs to back up this point.

             Now to my opinion, I want to like the hipster X-T1 design but I just can’t but I am liking the T design

           • Sorry what I meant is that I have an X-T1 and am considering selling it and getting a T

           • Sorry, but that’s nonsense. Particularly when comparing to Sony.

             Let’s see those numbers and graphs. Not that numbers and graphs mean squat to photographers.

           • TerryB:

             Sorry, I should have qualified what I said. I was only referring to Sony’s interchangeable lens cameras. They have a reputation for not supporting them properly, completely revamping lineups without warning, and offering insufficient lens options.

             And ergonomically I just can’t get behind the A7 series. At all.

             I’ve always been a fan of Sony electronics, but I’ve never warmed to their cameras (a bit of an emotional response, I’ll admit), much in the same way that the Minolta autofocus 35mm SLRs always left me cold (though I loved some of the Minolta SLRs from the ’70s).

             IMO, Sony will never be a serious still camera contender. Not unless Nikon or Canon fold up and create a vacuum that is.

             On the other hand, stranger things have happened.

           • Andrew Yates:

             OK, first off, a word about tests (photozone.de or anyone else): conditions and samples very widely, and since there is no international body that standardizes camera tests; uses the same procedures and equipment; evaluates under the same conditions; adheres to strict criteria for the calibration of measurement equipment, etc., etc., etc., it’s wise to take all these tests with a grain of salt.

             Now, on the other hand, if you get a general consensus among different tests all saying the same thing, then I’d be inclined to use that as a general jumping off point for further exploration of one’s own.

             The GENERAL consensus is that the A7r and D800 offer superior resolution to other full frame (or smaller) sensor cameras. But this is common knowledge.

             You seem to be claiming that the Fuji lenses are not as good as Leica or Sony lenses, and that there are charts and graphs to back this up.

             I’m sure there are. But I can show you charts and graphs to back up almost any argument; they don’t mean anything on their own.

             There’s also plenty of corroborated evidence to support Fuji’s exemplary optics (for example, did you know that the Hasselblad H-Series medium format cameras and lenses were designed and manufactured in cooperation with Fuji?).

             All of this is academic nonsense. I’ve said this many times but it bares repeating: all of today’s high end cameras and lenses are capable of producing better IQ than their owners are.

             As to sidestepping, no idea what you’re talking about there.

           • Robert,
             Well-said comments about lens quality of various manufacturers outside of Leica…I concur with your assessment of Fuji for example. When I shot large format in the ’70’s and ’80’s, I used some superb Fuji glass, along with Schneider, Rodenstock, and yes, NIkkor optics! The resulting 4×5 and 8×10 chromes spoke for themselves.

           • I did not say you have to have a Leica to take great pictures. I merely said that there have been zillions of great pictures taken by M8s and M9s. Does anyone dispute that? The depth of anti Leica nonsense that comes out here is incredible. Pure bile and green envy.

           • There have been (and are!) zillions of great pictures taken by any kind of camera, including Leicas. Why is it that everyone not joining the Leica congregation is earmarked as a “hater”?

           • “I merely said that there have been zillions of great pictures taken by M8s and M9s. Does anyone dispute that?”

             Zillions, huh? Not millions, or billions, or trillions. But ZILLIONS.

             Yep, I’ll dispute that.

           • Hi Robert,
             No dispute from me, sir…I fully acknowledge that Leica equipment is superb, and great images can result from good use of it. I merely stated that great images can result from ANY brand…it’s what’s 6 inches BEHIND the lens that TRULY matters (the human brain)…not what brand the equipment is. If that brand happens to be a Leica, more power to the user! Indeed, I wouldn’t turn down an M9.

           • Jack, come on. Did You really read my comments?
             OK, you´re right. Some of my facts are opinions, because I´m not willing to compare all the facts and specs about camera a and b. But that´s not the point at all. The point is very simple. Beside the fact that it doesn´t matter if a good photographer uses a Leica or a Holga to realize his or her vision in great pictures I just criticized the development and some activities of Leica from the viewpoint of a customer. I´ve used Leicas with film (which was a great experience and fun) and I tried the Leica M8 and M9. But I decided that I´m not willing to spend several thousands of $ for a digital camera with an almost useless display or a technical problem to take images of black textiles without a filter… that has nothing to do with purism, it´s a joke and mockery of customers. And it had nothing to do with a conscious decision of Leica… they just didn´t have better technology at hand.
             A few years ago you didn´t have so many alternatives -beside of heavy and obtrusive DSLRs- if you wanted to have a good tool for some kinds of photography like documentary. Today you have, and many alternatives are superior in my eyes to the Leicas related to usability and cost effectiveness. Sad to say because once it was a great company with a great vision… but life goes on and others don´t sell just a myth, they sell useful innovations for us photographers… That´s fun for me!

           • Unfortunately, one runs into this on occasion: Leica apologists or evangelists who stubbornly refuse to separate myth from reality, and resort to pejorative attacks on anyone who criticizes Leica, even when their arguments are intelligent and backed up with substance or evidence.

             It’s a bit like trying to argue with someone who staunchly believes the Earth is 6000 years old, even though cutting down a California Redwood and examining the rings within conclusively proves that it’s utter nonsense.

             Is Leica important to the history of cameras…and photography? Unquestionably. Are their cameras beautifully made instruments? Absolutely. Are their optics magnificent? Inarguably.

             Are their designs and functionality infallible? Absolutely not. And this is where they warrant legitimate criticism in the face of the competition. Particularly at the prices they charge.

             If I had tons of disposable income, would I buy a Leica M240? Sure, why not? It’s relatively light and compact, has a good 24mp full frame sensor, and the lenses are stellar. I’d use it for slower work where I had full control of the subject or environment and could take my time.

             But would it be my choice if I had to grab one “go to” camera capable of capturing images under the widest array of conditions? Not a chance. For that, I’d grab my Nikon D3s and the Holy Trinity of lenses — weight notwithstanding; because when you absolutely, positively have to get the shot… well, you know the rest.

           • These should be the closing words… arguing doesn’t make sense anyway. It’s emotional, not rational… 😉

             Cheers,
             Peter

           • Robert,

             This will appear out of sequence as there is no reply radio button to your earlier reply.

             Just to say as an A7 owner, I’m not too happy about the ergonomics of holding it either. But, there has always been something with which I’ve been dissatisfied or not entirely happy with every camera I’ve owned. Everything is eventually a trade off.

             And in another comment you queried why Sony owners were quiet. Well, I doubt the T will have any worthwhile improvements over my 5N, and I know my A7 is better. :o)

         • I think your points are very valid, Peter. Building a Leica out of unobtanium or vibranium, or some other rare Earth material, does nothing to improve one’s photographs. Not in the 21st century at least, where product life-cycles are about 2 years.

           What it DOES to is jack the price of production, whilst siphoning R&D funds away from where they’re truly important: producing quality images under a wide variety of conditions…aka, the guts of the thing.

           I suppose the body, with its one-piece “Oyster case”, will make an appealing fashion accessory to those who don Rolexes. But what does that have to do with helping a photographer make better images?

           Nothing.

           Leica needs to innovate where it counts: sensor performance and functions that work together harmoniously to produce either better imagery, or that help one to capture imagery in a host of conditions (not just outdoors on a bright day).

           With the Leica T, the whole is less than the sum of the parts. Case in point: a 2-year-old sensor with modest high ISO performance, coupled with slow lenses, minus any sort of image stabilization = next to useless low-light performance. So the camera is handicapped straight out of the gate in a crucial application capacity. But the BEST part is that you have the privilege of paying a premium for that subtracted capability.

           • Agreed!!

           • Seconded. 🙂

           • You people just don’t like Leicas and will use any chance to dismiss them with all the same tiresome arguments. Quite boring and repetitious. Again, all I said was the fact that zillions of great images have been taken with M8s and M9s. I used both, always “got the shots”, Robert, and never had any problems. Both cameras were successful for Leica, and Leica is doing quite well financially. Both cameras still take great images. I would never “grab” a Nikon D4 because it is a brick that breaks my shoulder and is hopelessly complicated. I don’t think it create images of the quality of the M8, the M9, the MM or the M240.
             I shot a golf tournament with the M240 recently where there were many guys shooting D4s. Comparing my pictures to the D4 images reinforced my view. Sorry. This is a valid position that many people agree with. Screaming vituperation does not change what I see or change my mind. Its a Ferrari versus a Ford pickup. Get over it.

           • You epitomize the attitude of the typical Leica evangelist very well, Jack, I’ll give you that.

215. Thanks for the article. A few questions: Can the touch screen be locked and unlocked in a simple way? Is the camera easy to shoot with one hand?

     By the way, I think viewfinders should be optional on smaller camera’s. They add weight, bulk and cost, while I have no use for it, being an outdoor guy.

     • No way to lock it from what I can find but haven’t had a need to. Its just as easy to shoot with one hand as any other mirrorless camera.

       • Left or right handed, Steve? LOL.

       • I think I read you can swipe up along the right side of the screen to lock it

         • Indeed Gary, just swipe down on the right hand side and the modes there (under your thumb) are locked to avoid accidentally touching them. A simple gesture up again and you those modes are available again.

216. Awesome Review Steve… Thanks for the in- depth analysis… Kudos to Leica for the “Renegade” design – probably an homage to the new defunct RICOH GXR with the A-12 M mount module.

     It would be awesome if Steve could do a GXR and the Leica T comparison. 🙂

217. Well there’s no doubt about the quality build and the photos coming out of it. Daylight shots quite impressive. Look like they were taken with a ND filter. Beautiful.

     But…..while the price is low….for a Leica, it remains out of the reach of most of us…..like a Leica!

     For my money I’d grab the new Fuji XT-1 and the gorgeous 50/1.2 lens. That’s about $1200 less than this Leica with the zoom. I know you’re expecting to hear similar opinions on this. It’s the naked truth though.

     If I HAD the money? Sure, I’d be tempted. But still, the EVF is another $600 and the M mount too. Another $1200. Ouch.

     Great design. Great quality images. Love the onboard 16GB of storage. Why others don’t include this is beyond me. Loved reading this review too. Appreciated. Bottom line is that a lot of us would like this but, economic realities being what they are, we can only dream.

     • Interesting quotes: “But…..while the price is low….for a Leica, it remains out of the reach of most of us…..like a Leica!”
       “If I HAD the money? Sure, I’d be tempted.”

       I could buy one. I’m not tempted. Even if I were in the market for an ILC, I’d probably go for Fuji, and if not Fuji, anything but Leica. Simply because whether you have the money or not, it represents a poor value, *unless* you place high priority on the intangibles that Leica offers (namely being part of that exclusive club of Leica owners). I get the appeal after having picked up a box of LFI magazines and browsed through the great photography (all stuff that *could* have been done with many other cameras, but wasn’t) and articles praising the optics of one lens or another. Where we guess at which companies in which countries produced parts for which lenses for Nikon, Canon, etc. there’s a heritage and history behind Leica – interviews with people in the know and so on.

       All of which gives Leica a certain mystique that would make me happy to own one. But there are plenty of us out here who are simply frugal enough to find little financial value in such things; who buy what’s practical (and still enjoyable) and to save our money for other things.

       “The price is low” … for a 16MP APS-C sensor in a body with few moving parts, a fixed LCD and no EVF ? A $300 Sony NEX is cheap; this is hidously expensive (whether Steve expected $3500 or not !) The M bodies have all the mechanics of rangefinder focusing; these things have none of that. Sure, the construction warrants a premium; German labor is expensive and economies of scale work against Leica, so I won’t claim that they’re gouging or anything like that … but the price isn’t low unless you’re comparing apples to oranges … it’s low compared to an M. It’s low compared to a yacht. It’s not low compared to any reasonable competition.

       As for image quality, IQ from competition is already great; M lenses can be adapted to the competition; and FF is available at a competitive price (including Sony FF ILCs with Zeiss lenses).

       This is like any other Leica; a very good camera, but one with a price that requires you to place a high value on things that have little to do with photography. I’d consider one at around half the price (though I’d still have to consider the pros & cons, because the lack of external controls, like exposure compensation, makes it seem like a very compromised camera). If I were given one, I’d keep it, rather than sell it. And I’d buy one long before I’d buy a Hasselblad-branded Sony ! But otherwise, it would be the last camera I’d spend my money on.

       • Very well said.

         And if you really start thinking about applications for this camera, it quickly falls apart.

         For instance: Let’s say you have legacy M glass and want to use it on this camera outdoors on a bright, sunny day. Good luck trying to focus manually using the back of that LCD screen, particularly without peaking. Maybe if you have 20/20 or better vision. But even then…

       • “because the lack of external controls” Dennis I think this is something they have done well with this camera…..simple, to the point and control the basics. I do agree with you though, it’s still expensive in my opinion. At least with the M it’s the only real option in town for a rangefinder. This though….mmm…I’d go the EM1 or XT1 with their lenses over this.

218. OK. First of all great review Steve, very comprehensive as they usually come from your hands.
     Now my conclusion after reading and watching it:
     Leica T is a 2 year old sensor that wasn’t amazing 2 years ago in a nice apple-like body. Add to that a slow 1.7k USD “kit” lens and it just doesn’t sound right. It sounds pretty bad to be honest.

     Oh well let’s wait another 3 years maybe next time they will get it right 🙂

     • Actually, it is one of the best APS-C sensors out there right now. The T provides the best APS-C IQ I have experienced. I predict this will sell very well for Leica, opposite of what I predicted (and came true) for the X-Vario. When something is this good, it works well. When it works well, then people will want it. This is a good thing 🙂

       • You are most probably right but it still is a 2 year old tech. And most reviews I read on it stressed that it performs very well but it needs good light – you have also mentioned that I think.

       • I think the Nikon Coolpix A slightly outperformed the Vario, especially in dynamic range, but that was a couple of years ago. I thought most of the recent APC sensors (Sony Alpha 6000, etc) were even better than the Nikon now. Is there any evidence that this sensor is anything but the older Vario sensor? Is it just the firmware has been updated to up saturation, etc?

         • The Pentak K5 sensor is currently the APS-C king for D/R coming in at 14.1

           The Leica doesn’t appear to be a threat to any of the more modern sensors when it comes to low light… but it WILL be interesting to see how the dynamic range stacks up!

         • Couldn’t have been a couple of years ago, the Vario has been out for just over a year. The sensor in the T is the X Vario sensor, just new processing and software. Better AWB, faster speeds, etc. The sensor is fantastic and is different in any camera it is used in. What makes it different is the way it is implemented with the processing and software in camera.

219. Wow, This is one sexy camera. Too bad I wont be able to afford it. The body itself is priced right but 1900 for 23mm f2, 600 for average quality evf, Eventually there will be other primes, 50mm, 85mm, 14mm all will be around the 2000 range. Its just too expensive for an APSC system. I guess it all depends on how much you value the Leica brand, but these days a full frame camera with prime lens can be had for the price of a single Leica T zoom.

220. Steve; I was almost cured for my G.A.S. Please stop making me ill!

221. The shutter sounds almost identical to a Fuji

     • Too bad the shutter isn’t silent (and can see many people wanting to use this for street photography)

222. I admit the “fantastically cool” rhetoric pegged my snarkometer, but it IS an interesting concept, especially the all-touchscreen interface. Question about that: When you’re using the EVF, is the touchscreen smart enough to ignore touches by your nose or upper lip?

     • When you place your eye to the EVF, it automatically switches on, and therefore switches the touchscreen off. So, no problem with your nose.

223. Hey Steve, thank you for the nice review. I think the touchscreen could be the weakest point in order of longtime build quality. Are there any statements about the touchscreen being prone of scratches?

     • I think it is too new to see how it holds up for scratches. The one I used for a week never had an issue but I would probably put a protector over the screen for my own use just in case. I do not think the touchscreen is a weak point though. As long as one does not abuse it, then there should not be an issue. I know people who still use the iPhone 1 and the touch screen is fine. 🙂

     • The M uses Gorilla Glass. I can’t find any reference to the T yet, but I would expect it would be of similar quality. Leica is not a manufacturer that is known to skimp on build quality.

       Personally, I’m more worried about the sensor (already 2-years-old) become irrelevant sooner than any part of the camera breaking down. Film cameras have proven to be timeless – digital, not so much.

224. Looks like the M-Adapter-T is only $395 off the Leica website…not $300 like you wanted, but better than $600!

     • Odd, they told me $600. Maybe they had a change of heart.

       • Maybe so…whatever the reason, I’m look at the T specifically to use my M-glass (not that a couple of bills would have changed my mind). Here’s the link: http://leicastoremiami.com/collections/t-system-camera-accessories

         • The EVF is $595 brother…better get those quads checked 🙂

225. How is size compared to the A7 or the Rx1?

226. Hm, i will definitely stick with my X100s. Best camera ever made in history so far!

     • Well said!

227. Firstly, Steve, congrats on getting this review. You really deserve it dude. I can only imagining how honoured you must feel!

     Argh, I love it!!!!! This is the camera from them I have been waiting to see from Leica and I can’t wait to see how these new design elements will influence the M. The design is just obscenely good and the IQ it seems matches. Not M goods, but incredible for APS and a tiny format. The lenses are so sharp! I didn’t like the X2, I hated the X-Vario and the M-240 was a disappointment for me too for a few reasons. I was really losing hope for the brand to be honest. This camera has all the things I was expecting from Leica and it’s not only a really exciting product but also a very exciting vision for the company and for it’s future. It’s the innovation, design, manufacture, the fine details, this is a product bettered by none other, it’s worthy of the Leica name. This really proves that this is one hell of a capable company and I am really looking forward to innovates of the future.

     Bravo to Leica

     • “…and the IQ it seems matches. Not M goods, but incredible for APS…”

       I’d hardly call it incredible for APS. Fuji’s X-Trans sensor is incredible for APS.

       • Agreed you took the exact words from my mouth! I really hope no one feels the images from this camera compare to the exquisite X Trans sensor!!

         • Yeah, no other APS sensor on the planet can come close to what the X-Trans sensor is capable of.

           Not only that, but all the Fujinon XF lenses are very good, and several of them are absolutely stellar, especially the 14, the 23, the 35, and the 56.

           • I have all of those except the 14mm… I talked to a Canon rep just two weeks ago and he said the only camera company they fear is Fuji his words were he was amazed at what the X Trans sensor is capable of producing!! It made me very proud to support Fuji!

           • I own the 23, 35 and 56 Fujinon. They are all fabulous lenses, in terms of both image quality and construction. I’ve recently acquired also the recently introduced 10-24, which I preferred to the 14mm, since I will use it mainly for landscape photography. The 10-24mm is just another gem by Fujy and I hardly believe there’s an equivalent APS-C lens around as good as this one! It is probably superfluous to note that the Fujinon lenses all cost a fraction of what Leica charges for their glass… is there a difference IQ wise? I personally don’t think so and it’s once again worth noting that it’s the combination of X-Trans sensor and Fujinon lenses that make the Fuji system so incredible!
             Someone (a talented photographer mentioned a few posts above) defined the Fuji X System as the Leica killer… and I couldn’t agree more!
             This Leica T really adds nothing to the APS-C market.

           • “You can tell a Leica by the way it takes pictures-and by the pictures it takes”.
             “Why a Leica?” people would ask as now there are many similar cameras on the market, Leica cameras produce a “special” “Leica look” to images, typical very high quality German engineering and superlative optical quality, sure one can buy a Steinway or an electronic keyboard, both have 88 keys, 56 white, 32 black, one isn’t wrong and the other right, they both do the similar job but usually the more expensive one is “special”, collectable or of outstanding lasting quality.

     • If you don’t like the X-Vario I doubt you will like this one unless it’s just the design of the body and not the tech we’re talking about. … and yes, the Fuji’s, especially the X100S and XT1 are great APC cameras.

228. Wow what a review and what a camera! I’m impressed and when I saw the leak earlier today my reaction was ‘pfffft’ now I’m tempted to email my local Leica dealer in Australia and put my name down for one 🙂

     Thanks for a great write up and video Steve

229. Steve, there’s no image stabilization and you love IS – especially 5-axis. Also, is the back made made from glass or sapphire? Thanks.

230. I agree on the gorgeousness factor and trust your assessment of image quality. In particular Sony worked very hard to make the Nex/e-mount user interface, menu structure, location of dials and switches not only as illogical as possible, but also change it with every new model. And Leica managed to deliver a compact 23mm f2.0 lens. So Leica T rules here.

     But digital camera bodies are disposables with short economic life. After two years the supplier has discontinued the electronic parts, used bodies trade for a fraction of even basic repair cost, the successor offers double performance at half price. What is the point to cast them from solid blocks of precious metal with ball bearing dials or non-scratch sapphire glass?

     As an enthusiast with some modest Leica M glass (=no 21mm f1.4) in my cabinet and in view of pricing I am pressed hard to prefer the Leica T (with accessories) over a Leica M9 or ME.

     • spot on 10000%. form over function…and the form isnt appealing.

231. For you the iq is better on that leica T than a sony a7(R) if we compare with the same leica lense on them ?

     • WIll be crisper/sharper but will not have the full frame look. Better color as well. No issues with wide angle M lenses on the T.

       • …but…wide angle M lenses won’t be “that wide” on the T (cropped sensor: stupid move).

         • A necessary move, for a host of reasons.

       • Shoot the M lens in crop mode on a A7r and do a comparison… no doubt it’s a nice design but too bad they didn’t put in a little more modern sensor. By the time you stick on an adapter and EVF, you probably should have just bought a used M9. I know it’s a different experience but I feel like I did when the first Vario came out and we know how well it sold. Regardless, I will stop by the local Lecia store and hold one. There’s a 50/50 chance I will end up with one regardless as I like new, shiny things…

       • As Ming Thein has stated, the sensor is basically like the Ricoh GR’s – a Sony 16MP with no AA filter. Having owned that camera and the A7 I would agree with Steve’s assessment about perceptual sharpness but I don’t believe that means better image quality.

         I ended up selling my GR and going back to a film compact (Minolta TC-1) because the GR sensor was simply too crispy, not lifelike at all. I will take the A7 sensor over it night and day. I have no doubt that the T’s slow zoom can produce an edge-to-edge sharp image and if that is your look and you can live with the speed, no OIS, potentially awkward UI (how do you exposure lock separate from focus lock?) and have lots of dollars in your bank account, go for it.

         What is exciting and commendable about this camera is the UI. Even if it isn’t the camera for you today, I bet there will be a camera in your future with something similar. I’d like to see Leica’s implementation with a bit more speed and fluidity but that may just be a couple firmware updates away.

       • What about RX1(r)? what iq would you prefer (aside from the sensor size)? which would be crisper / better colors T or RX1(r)?

         • The answer to this question is in the review in the Q&A section.

           • Thanks. Missed that 🙂

232. A very interesting camera. As always I enjoyed your review and in all honesty like some of the images here, with a lot of DOF, more than over isolated subjects shot with fast glass. It’s an unusual camera and beautifully made. This together with Leica glass that autofocuses will be very tempting.

233. Leica is smart with the pricing here and de-coupling the body from the lenses. Because it looks not that much with $1900 for the body only. But just the body does not take any pictures. So at least you need to add $600 for the adapter, which means you still have no lens. Assuming you have M lenses already, that makes $2500 for the “cheapest” option.
     Adding the T lenses makes the camera even more expensive.

     But as Steve said, quality seems to be great and if people want a special camera, they should go for it.

     Steve, thanks for this great article, one can see you put a lot of effort into it.

     • Thanks for reading!

     • Correction, the adaptor is “only” $395

234. I’d still go for a Canon 6D.
     Better pictures, same price.

     • TOTALLY different camera, huge, fat, heavy (especially with those DSLR lenses). I wouldn’t take one if it was free because I would never use it. GREAT IQ and camera with L lenses, but just too large for daily use. Also will not get you this IQ rendering. It will give you the Canon look, which is much much different. I’d take an A7 over the 6D even the E-M1. Some do not get along well with huge bulky cameras these days especially since there are much smaller solutions with equal or better quality. The T is about simplicity, IQ, design and joy of use. It’s also very compact.

       • Hey! I love the 6D! It’s well-proportioned, VERY comfortable to hold, and balanced (= huge, fat, heavy :p ) FF sensor that can shoot in total darkness, amazingly responsive, accurate AF, optical viewfinder and infinite battery life. So you can take an A7 with extra battery and 35 2.8 or 6D no extras with 40mm 2.8 pancake. And for ~$700 less.

         • Usual hyperbole; don’t let that get in the way of enjoying the camera of your choice.

         • Love my 6D, and with mid level primes, it’s manageable. I would bet the 6D with the 40mm pancake is a lighter combo than the Leica M with a fast cron. Sure, you could argue IQ with the Leica will be better, but how many people will be able to tell the difference? “There’s nothing worse than a sharp photo of a fuzzy concept.” – Ansel Adams

         • Steve correct me if I’m wrong but in your Canon 6D review didn’t you say you had the 6D and the 85mm 1.2 in your cart a few times? I may be mistaking it with a another review I’m not 100% positive. I will say those images you took with the 6d and the 85mm 1.2 were probably the most impressive photos I’ve seen as far as dreamy rendering on your site period!! For me I just feel that Canon cameras have no character and are so boring looking but my god can they pump out some amazing images. Thanks for the in depth review.

       • Steve, you said it yourself…

         “For under $2,000 the Canon 6D is now the DSLR I would own if I decided to purchase a DSLR.”

         That was your comment from your 6D review, Now you wouldn’t take one if it was free? C’mon, steve….

         And to be honest, the Image quality looks better from the 6D than this new Leica. Just look at your own 6D images.. They have a better color and 3-D effect to them!
         Lets be honest, we all like smaller cameras here, but you can’t deny the IQ of a Full Frame camera such as the 6D. it’s just better, whether by a lot, or a little.

         Too much free Kool-Aid being given out… And off topic, it was Flavor-Aid.

         • QBNY,

           Which way is the wind blowing today? Hint: this will tell you which is Steve’s fav camera of the moment.

           • TerryB, believe me or don’t (at your peril), every morning just after I get up, I open my window, stick my finger out, and gauge the wind’s direction. Every single time it points in the direction of the next best thing, unfailingly.

             It’s a very meaningful ritual.

           • TerryB, nice to see your sarcasm again! This reminds me of the whole debate about whether expensive wines really taste better than cheaper wines. Of course you’re going to think a camera is better if you’re willing to spend as much as a new car on it to get it. Is it objectively so superior to warrant the much higher cost? Will more than 5% of photographer be able to even tell? Leica versus medium format, now that would be interesting since now we’re talking about a true price comparison.

           • That’s not sarcasm Jonathan, it’s irony…

           • Here’s the equation for that:

             The perceivable difference between the output quality of these cameras is far less than the quantifiable differential between a very talented photographer and a casual snapshooter.

             True story.

           • So very true!!

           • Robert, agreed. The Lenswork podcast had an episode recently that hit the same point, that all cameras nowadays are so good that more than ever, it’s the photographer that truly makes the difference. Here’s a link to the podcast episode: http://daily.lenswork.com/2014/04/podcast-848-the-perfect-camera.html

           • +1. On the other hand, there’s no quantifying the immense benefits of having an expensive status symbol dangling from your neck.

           • Immense benefit to the person who rolls you for it, I suppose.

           • Hi, Jonathan.

             If the Leica v medium format comparison was with film, no contest, medium format wins hands down. Except possibly if one was using K25 where I’m positive Leica lenses would meet the challenge better.

             Taking your wine analogy, and in response to your posting, Michiel, my comment had a touch of irony, with overtones of sarcasm.

           • And a persistent, lingering, nose of humour…

           • Nice one, Michiel.

         • I’m not a Canon fanboy (rarely use my 5D2 anymore), but I agree with you…the image quality from this new Leica is underwhelming, at least based on these photos.

       • Except for when reviewing – what kind of photography do you normally do yourself? Nature/landscape, wildlife/birds, sports, wedding/portraits or such? I must admit as much as I love my mirrorless cameras – and I a while back ditched my DSLR to go copletely mirrorless – I’m now back with DSLR. Mirrorless is great for a lot of use but not everything. It’s not (all) about IQ but ergonomics and usability. I really wish they’d make the E-M1 bigger, but that would probably take away part of the mirrorless advantage (size).

       • Steve I appreciate your review, & can tell you’re very excited. However the 6d is small enough to handle & has awesome image quality that I would expect will knock this out of the park + a huge array of Canon lenses (& 3rd party) for people to shoot wide through to tele for a fraction of the cost of a Leica lens. The cost of this slow tele from Leica makes many great EF lenses look like a bargain. I must admit the T looks cool though, and I look forward to reading more about it when you get your new camera. Thanks for the review.

       • Wow, I think Steve went way over the top this time. I own both a Leica M and a Canon 5D III and find the difference in IQ and rendering minimal to non existent. Canon’s L lenses have finally come close to the quality of Leica lenses, especially the zoom telephotos and the new 24-70 f2.8 II zoom, and Leica has finally come close to sensors as good as Canon’s. I also find the size issue a minor point. The Canon has the best fast autofocus of any camera I have ever used. Hauling a DSLR with a zoom telephoto to a kid’s soccer game is no big deal when I want to get good close in photos. The size of a DSLR is an issue if I am just walking around a city but I have smaller cameras for those days. Size is obviously a consideration for pro news and sports photographers and it is no accident that almost all carry Canon or Nikon DSLRs. Saying you wouldn’t take a free Canon 6D because of its size is like saying you wouldn’t take a free Audi A8 but instead would only drive a Mini that you would have to buy. Its nuts. What I dislike the most about this site is the tendency to extoll one camera by trashing another. Steve is setting that tone with comments like this.

         • What you fail to realize is this:

           Canon L lenses are HUGE, HEAVY, BULKY and FAT. They are in no way a pleasure to use on a day to day basis. For example..walking the streets for 4 hours or a trip to the family zoo. Leica lenses are TINY in comparison to the Canon lenses so if Canon lenses approach Leica quality (and 2-3 of them do) that is all well and good but they are 10X larger! This is the whole point. Not everyone wants a large DSLR, and this is proven by the fact that DSLR sales shrink more and more every year. When I reviewed the Canon 6D with the 85L and Sigma 35 1.4 I loved the IQ. Was amazing in all light and for street it gave me superb and stellar IQ. But after 3 hours in NYC with that gear I was ready to chuck it in the trash as my shoulder was killing me, my back was killing me and this does not happen with small mirror less systems. If I can get the same IQ out of a Leica M that I can out of a 6D and L primes then it is a no brainer for me to go for the M. Why? Because of the enjoyment factor! If I am not enjoying myself when shooting then why shoot? It becomes a chore and when it becomes a chore it is no fun. Probably why there are so many cranky Leica haters out there, lol. They are all cranky from carrying around their huge DSLRs all dat. As for the 6D, no I would not take it for free as someone else could use it more than me – I WOULDN’T USE IT, period. Does that mean its a bad camera? NO, its fabulous. I just would never use it do to the SIZE. Been there and done that.

           • Steve, my point is that this is not an all or nothing principle. Like you I would not haul a DSLR and four or five lenses when walking around a city. I said that in my comment. It is too cumbersome. But that doesn’t mean size prevents using a DSLR in other situations. My first consideration is which camera will get the best shots in any particular situation and if a smaller camera will work then that is what I use but if it will not work as well as a DSLR then I take my Canon. I often don’t take a DSLR on long trips, I take a pocket camera and my Leica M instead. But I recently traveled to Angkor Wat and took the Canon (and the smaller cameras) because I knew the Canon would get the best shots of some things I wanted to photograph (some of the bas reliefs–I needed very wide angle and the highest possible resolution due to their faded condition). It was inconvenient to carry 30 pounds of camera gear half way around the world but no other camera would have done the job as well. The Leica has the resolution but can’t go that wide (I needed both a fisheye and the 17mm TS/E). And after owning many of the mirrorless cameras I have come full circle and almost always use the Canon to photograph my grandson unless he is stationary. I can get close and capture almost any shot I want in proper focus and with great IQ without any lag. I missed too many shots of him with mirrorless cameras because of the inferior autofocus and, frankly, the IQ was not as good although it was not bad either. I will never have another chance to take those shots so I find it a minor issue to use the bigger and heavier DSLR to get images my family and I will love for the rest of our lives. I’m 66 years old and I’m sure have a lot more aches and pains than you, and some serious back problems besides. Nevertheless, I just don’t agree that size is such a big and overriding consideration that it precludes ever using a DSLR. If I could have only one camera I would choose the Canon DSLR and put up with its size and weight because I am most concerned about getting the shots I want. Been there for over 30 years and will continue to shoot that way.

           • gsutton, as you can tell, some people base their enjoyment of photography on the cameras and equipment and aren’t happy unless they have the “best” equipment. I have a photography assistant who helps me with weddings who thinks this way and has much better glass than I do. But I and other folks on these comments tend to lean more towards basing our enjoyment of photography on the artistic side (composition, lighting, decisive moment, etc.) and the camera for us is just a tool. I really njoy using my 6D with the 40mm pancake lens because it’s such a small-ish kit and doesn’t intimidate people the way a 70-200 L lens would. Sure, I’m not getting the absolute “best” IQ, but when my goal is more about capturing moments, I can compromise on IQ as long as it’s good enough (a principle photographer Eric Kim calls being a “satisficer”). Heck, I’d rather use my compact Sony RX100 for everyday and street photography because it’s more stealthy than any DSLR or mirrorless system camera.

             Steve has his opinions and he makes it clear they are his opinions. I just find it fascinating to see how him and other photographers (Zack Arias for example raving about the new Fuji cameras) react so emotionally to certain cameras and camera brands. It seems there’s generally a lot of hype right now with mirrorless system cameras, and with Leica having such a cult like following (another similarity to Apple), for them to release a mirrorless camera is a double-whammy. A lot of the excitement is justified, but there’s also a lot of irrational exhuberance too. You have to be patient and just wade through the irrational stuff to get to the actual facts.

           • Of course pure nonsens. A camera is a tool, not a fashion item and for IQ, weight is until now not part of the equation. If a 6D or a D800 like in my case with one of the magnificent Sigma Art lenses work for you, do so. I know a lot of people dreaming half a life of owning a Leica, once they had sold a kidney and an arm fto own a digital M they really started hating the cumbersome and slow workflow, the poor AWB balance, the medieval exposure control,… something NOBODY would ever accept from an entry level DSLR. After a glorious film era, Leica got completely off the track in the digital age.

           • ONCE THE CAPS LOCK appears to be stuck, you know where it’s going.

235. If I only wanted to shoot in good light and didn’t mind that the variable aperture “kit” zoom was slow as molasses, I would consider this camera. In ideal conditions there’s no question that the 701 is capable of producing beautiful images. But I don’t often shoot in ideal conditions and I want a camera that can deliver in less than ideal lighting. This strikes me as a camera for someone who just wants a real German-made Leica but can’t afford an M and cares less about overall performance. But there are much better cameras out there for the money for everyone else.

     • VERY well said. Wholeheartedly agree.

     • Indeed. My rx100 is amazing in ideal conditions too.

     • Get a Df; amazing sensor, certainly in low light.

236. No IS? I see theis as a con.

     • For any reader wondering, according to the UK’s Amateur Photographer magazine the EVF is 2.4 million dots.

       • Attended the portuguese presentation of the leica T this morning and they distributed a book, with the system and accessories list and the EVF comes indeed with a description of 2.4MP.

       • Props to Leica for making that state-of-the-art, at least. Of course, that’s probably because it’s actually made by a Japanese manufacturer. 😉

237. I’m not drinking the kool-aid on this one. The uni-body construction is the only cool part about it.

     If Leica would have put some type of innovative, new sensor tech in it, it would be a different story. The X2/X-Vario sensor is 2 years old now!

     To me, Sony changed the game by releasing the A7 series. It’s not the perfect camera by any means, but it sure raises the bar for features, tech, value, performance & IQ. I can’t imagine any reason beyond brand loyalty/lust for someone to purchase a Leica T over something like a Sony A7!

     • Well, there are many reasons all of which are clearly laid out in this review. IQ, Lens quality, Usability, etc etc. I for one placed my T order (sent back the review sample already). No kool aid to drink, just no muss no fuss results and a hell of a time shooting with it. Simplicity at its finest 🙂 But like I said, all cameras today have something to offer..all are great. Choose your pref and go shoot.

       • Any thoughts on how the Leica 23mm f2 compares to the Sony Zeiss f2 of the RX1? Just curious due to their similar FoV, speed, and reputations (Zeiss, Leica)?

         • I owned, and shot exclusively with an RX1 for over a year. It’s quite possible that there are no other equivalent lens/sensor combos out there that perform as well. While the Leica T/23mm f2 combo might be similar in sharpness, speed & fov, it can’t touch the RX1 in terms of thin DOF, subject isolation & resolution. The rendering of the RX1 lens/sensor combo is simply stunning.

     • I’ve heard it has a new CMOSIS sensor.

       • You heard wrong, it is the same exact sensor as the X-Vario. Many sites were reporting nonsense to get hits and traffic over the past few days. WHat you read here is all 100% correct, with all info direct from Leica themselves. Stefan Daniel told me face to face “it uses the same exact sensor as the X-Vario”..I then confirmed. So no new sensor.

         • OK; useful info.

         • So the new T is not, therefore, a Leica inside and out. It’s more Sony inside, using the same sensor as the $300 Sony 3N.

           • But you can’t put a Leica lens on a nex3, oh wait.

     • I’m with you on this one. The form is beautiful and the touchscreen gives me that warm, modern, Apple feeling, but I want an M and will continue to save and sell off for an M. Maybe by the time I pull the trigger, the next M will be announced. If I’d quit buying so many “almost there” products due to GAS, I’d have one already. :-/

       Thanks for the comprehensive review, Steve. You did a great job on this one, as always, and I always appreciate your honest perspective.

     • I’m with you Scott, I’m not feeling it. It’s an aluminum body touch screen x-vario with interchangeable lenses, no? I applaud Leica for the unibody, but… A smooth metal body with no surface grip is the last thing I want. It’d be slick, easily scratched, cold in the winter & hot in the summer. It’s also ugly as sin with that EVF.

       And what’s with this comment Steve:
       “This T is a mini-fied M type futuristic body”

       There’s nothing ‘M type’ about it imo. Not one thing. More like an aluminum NEX.

       If it had a built in VF & fast primes, I’d be feeling it. But as it is- na.

       • Put an M next to it and it shares the same exact body shape, just in a mini form with a slight grip added. It is M like in its simplicity as well. It is M like in the whole concept. It is about photography, simplicity, joy of use and quality. Again, my comments come from using the camera for a week solid, day in and out.

     • I’m with you, Scott. No Kool-Aid for me, either. The price-to-performance ratio is better served by other manufacturers, particularly Fuji. Mediocre high-ISO performance, no image stabilization, no focus peaking, etc.

       We know Panasonic isn’t making the lenses. Do we know who IS making them?

       • Cosina, perhaps?

         • Cosina makes Zeiss glass. I think that would be a conflict of interest.

           • How about Sigma?

           • Maybe…

             Sigma has a reputation lately of building some great glass. Less convinced about their mechanicals, though.

           • Matbe Kyocera/Yashica who made some very fine R lenses in the past ?

           • Well…Tamron???

           • SteveJ,

             I’m not so sure about Tamron. They produce good lenses for the money, but are not noted as a true front runner. Perhaps they do do superior optics in disguise for some other companies? I don’t know.

             Sigma has a past association with Leica R zooms, and the optical quality of their small 30mm f2.8 for Sony Nex cameras was shown to beat the Leica f1/4/50 Summilux easily on MTF tests carried out by Lens Rentals, at f2.8, and it was not until f4 that the Summilux caught up where it marginally was better at the edges. but the Sigma was still marginally better in the centre. Both would have improved at f5.6, but the lenses were not tested at this aperture.

             This shows that Sigma has the optical know-how to go head to head with Leica, although admittedly their bodies are built down to a price. But this doesn’t mean they couldn’t up the ante.

             I’m sure, though, at some stage the cat will be let out of the bag.

       • I just saw on ebay a few MINT hybrid viewfinders at auction for 600dlls just the same Leica charges for their ugly T. The only difference is Fuji gives you an X100 body and a 23mm f2 lens attached to the VF for free!

238. Seems like Sony came out with this camera 3 years ago (Nex7) but couldn’t deliver when it came to quality glass. Hope Leica doesn’t make the same mistake!

     Kudos to Leica for bringing their expertise in simplicity to the touch screen and controls. Hopefully this leads them to slightly more innovative thinking around the next M.

     Steve, this definitely simplifies your arsenal, but I bet you’ll be seriously missing that blazing fast autofocus 50mm prime in no time!

     • This is nothing like the NEX-7..at all. Different IQ, different shooting experience, no built in EVF, lol. What blazing AF 50 prime will I miss? I do not own one.

       • Sorry, should have been more clear: the 25mm Panny that is 50mm equiv. on your now departed EM-1.

         You’re right that it is missing the built in EVF from the Nex. Whoops! 😉

       • Looks like the controls of a nex7 from the top, plus the sensor of a $400 nex 3n in a billet body. But it does have a red dot to go with a thumb ring, for all those hipsters. I guess it’s a good deal, sort of the Bang and Olufsen of cameras.

239. Wow, I was worried it would another fluke, but this actually seems like a nice camera. Not for me, but still a nice camera.

     And to be honest, the image quality actually seems to be better (crisper and better colors) than the M240. Which I hate to admit, since I have a M240. But of course I would have to take a longer look to be sure. Still… those colors look VERY good.

240. Pretty much reflects my opinion before and after handling it for 20 minutes, although much better written obviously. It feels seriously good, and bravo to Leica for the not too Leica prices.

     We were told by the Leica guys that 28 May for the silver one and “July” for the black one. I think I’m going for the black version, although they didn’t have one to see. This may change after I see it for real.

     We did have one with the yellow plastic cover and strap and it looked really like a fashion item.

     Thanks for the review.

241. It sounds like a decent camera, but without a built-in evf, I’m out. I still want my affordable (or even almost affordable – 3k?) rangefinder – an RD1 replacement or something like that.

242. is manual focusing possible without EVF?

     • Sure, just use the LCD

243. Thank you Steve for the report. Very interesting camera indeed. If I was reading correctly, there’ sonly magnification as manual focusing aid and no focus peaking – is that correct?

     I’m glad that Leica offered something new and the price is really good considering it features relatively large touch screen, great build quality (it looks great even from the pictures) and AF. Will need to get my hands on one as soon as they become available here in London.

     • I saw no focus peaking, but honestly half the time peaking does not work correctly, especially is using fast lenses. The focus aid is a 3X or 6X magnification, chosen by you. Easily activated with the thumb dial as you shoot. Worked well, but 75% of the time I did not even use it as the EVF was very sharp. Did not need it if I was careful.

       • Thank you Steve. I am really really considering replacement of my X-Pro1 with this lovely camera. Shame I sold Voigtlander 15mm last week (selling off my film M gear) – that would be really nice travel setup with the T. UK prices seem to be more than reasonable (£1350 for body). More I read about it more I like it. ISO3200 seems to be usable and that’s the maximum ISO I ever use and only indoors on holidays (churches, castles and so on).

       • I think that the camera’s construction is way cool, but lack of Focus Peaking and $400 for an adapter to use $3000 lenses kind of ruins it for many folks. Are there going to be M42-> T Mount, Nikon F-> T Mount, etc? These can be “dumb” mounts- not very expensive. Also.. the 3200 ISO ceiling for IQ isn’t groundbreaking. Fuji and Sony give you more for your money.. especially the XT1

         • Peaking is absolutely NOT needed and in fact may be a hindrance. Many times peaking (as seen in the A7) does not work for some people correctly. But a sharp EVF and magnification does. All personal pref but I found lack of peaking to be a non issue. Of 40 shots I snapped with the 50 cron at f/2 none were OOF.

244. Hi Steve,

     Thanks for the very long review 🙂

     Can you answer whether there is a virtual horizon function for the ‘T’?

     • No virtual horizon feature that I have been able to find.

245. Wish there were more camera companies like Leica. What I like about Leica is they acknowledge their heritage, but don’t get stuck. They try out new things. And this doesn’t mean a new camera every six months. They take their time to craft something refined. And you can shout it’s form over function, but I don’t think that’s the case.

     The current traditional camera companies are a little stuck in my opinion. And I mean that in the whole experience, from design to camera UI and usability. I wish Contax was still here. I wish Minox made digital versions of their camera’s. I wish Rollei was still here. These companies had a heritage in bringing unique design and user experience.

     Sony is pushing some interesting things (A7 and RX1) and Panasonic sometimes gets it right, like with the GM1, but I would like something refined. And this doesn’t mean we have to do retro; that is, going back to the past, like Fuji does with their design language.

     I wonder, though, is aluminum a good choice? It gets hot quickly and also can be very cold. What does this mean for the internal components?

     • I can say that on most days that I shot the T it was between 90 and 98 degrees in full sun, had no issues with heat.

     • Timmy,

       Apart from thinking Leica may have a winner on its hands, albeit at a premium price compared to its peers, I did wonder about the aluminium body and how users would find this over an extended period of use.

       Certainly, without a half case at least, or wearing gloves, it may not be comfortable to hold in cold weather. And in hot weather, could sweaty hands leave users with a less than perfect purchase on the body? It’s only a thought, but I wonder if users could end up with aching wrists as they apply more pressure to hold the body? Still, a half case will resolve these potential issues.

       Lest anyone think otherwise, I reiterate my opening comment: this could be a winner for Leica in the APS-C category, despite its price. But this comes with a big BUT: a FF Sony A7 can be had for less, AND it can use Leica optics at their intended FoV. Decisions, decisions for those considering the T.

       • Seems to have sharp edges as well. You’d have to hold it to know of course.

         • That’s another aspect of the Apple-like design: “You’re holding it wrong!”

         • The edges did not feel sharp at all.

           • Calvin, you held it in your hands, I just looked at a picture. I believe you. Looking forward to holding one myself.

     • Actually, aluminium transfers heat quickly. What (I think) this means is, that the insides of the camera will get almost instantly to the same temperature with the outside environment. Still, there won’t be any energy magically appearing out of nowhere.

       So, basically there should be no worries during summer as the electronics can probably survive in +70 celsius, where as the owner can not. So if you keep the camera with you and are able to stay alive, the camera will stay alive as well.

       However, during winters the good conductivity is not a good thing, as the screens start to get slow. The aluminium block won’t be able to store any heat, so the LCDs could be out of use immediatly when you go to normal northern winter temperatures of -15 celsius. The batteries also don’t usually work well in very cold temperatures. Otherwise, most of the electronic components should like cool temperatures.

246. Great review! Thanks, Steve.

247. Wow, nice… a very very interesting camera…

248. I completely missed seeing this one coming. Sounds like they utterly nailed it in many ways. Looking forward to trying one out soon.

     Leica T + M Mono would be a worthwhile combo in the camera bag too 🙂

249. Comprehensive review.

250. Very well done Leica. Now finally my Digilux 2 can semi-retire 🙂

251. Classic Leica.
     The Leica T does look like a nice camera, but the price / performance ration, as always, is horrible. Leica fans will have their fun, but for everyone else there are a lot better options (EM-1, XT-1 or one of the Sony A7 cameras). But that’s Leica target audience anyway, so that’s ok I guess.
     A lot of people were complaining about Sony’s FE lens line-up, I’m eager to hear the community’s feedback on this issue.

     Btw Steve great review, as always.

     • Ah, but Julian you’re forgetting the first rule of internet-camera-memes: ‘Sony has not lenses’

       Sony launches the A7 with three lenses with two more announced (but you can use adapters!): utter fail

       Leica launches with T camera with two lenses and no more announced (but you can use adapters!): great value

       • Ha, Ha. Nice one, Joel.

       • Leica’s adapter mates optically/electronically with Leica’s lenses for which the camera is optimized to use. Big difference.

         • The Sony a7’s adapters mates Electronically with all the great Zeiss and Sony Alpha glass as well.

       • You’re right Joel, I’ll never understand this anti-Sony bias. I just tried to make my comment less attackable :).

       • +1
         I am thinking the same… where are the lenses? At least Sony has 2 good primes- 35 and 55

       • Agreed. An interesting camera but soooo much competition at that price point!

         I don’t think the Leica’s IQ can touch the Sony A7r and Zeiss 55mm f1.8 for example.

         • +1

         • +2

         • I got to shoot a few images with it. It’s a neat camera but in limited testing, I will have a hard time picking it up over a Sony A7r. Of course, it’s a more ‘fun’ experience and those two wheels are nice as mentioned… but when you want to move the focal point, etc, it doesn’t seem as convenient but it’s trying to be an approachable camera (ignoring the cost, of course). Again, it’s hard to tell with the limited 30 or so images I have taken but I didn’t quite have the impressed feeling I did with my initial shots from a Fuji X or Sony A7r… but the bar has been set high with the latest APC cameras already on the market. I have the DNGs but here’s 2 or 3 jpgs right out of the camera. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jusgreat/14026086752/

       • Haha – well put! Leica M cameras are in a class of their own, but I really don’t understand the special treatment that other Leica cameras get. The X2? Slightly better lens than the X100 and maybe a nicer design (matter of opinion), but that’s it.

         Of course, I haven’t tried the Leica T. But at $3600 with a kit zoom, I don’t think I’ll bother. $1900 may be a good price for a Leica, but it’s NOT a good price for an APS-C body without weather sealing or a viewfinder.

       • Strange isn’t it !?! good one 😉

252. Absolutely gorgeous… I’m surprised by the price tag. VERY impressive for Leica prices. Image quality is even more crisp than the M240 as are the colors in my opinion. Ordering mine for sure…

     Steve could you comment on the Live View functionality with M lenses? Are we able to move freely around the frame, or is it limited to the center area like the M240?

     Thanks!

     • Not sure which is more surprising:
       Thinking the T produces superior images to a (FF) M240 system OR Arriving at that conclusion from 2MP oversaturated web-compressed JPGs…..

253. First one! 😉

     • I would buy it, only one little thing is missing – full frame sensor. My eyes are looking for leica with AF, but only in FF. Home they are working on FF version.

       • They are not working on a full frame version and never will. There are MANY reasons why this is not a full frame, Kristian Dowling explains it the best and I agree with him:

         http://kristiandowling.com/blog/

         • Thanks for the link to Downling’s blog. In taking a look at this very talented photographer’s site, and the images he shot with the new Leica, looking at these images they might as well been shot with the latest and greatest PhaseOne MF gear. Can’t tell the diff. IF the new Leica is lacking to some, the deficiencies can be trumped by exemplary talent. Strong talent/aesthetics will always rule in photography.

           • That holds true with any quality camera.

         • I know this comment is wayyyy past due in the camera world and everyone has moved on to the next big thing, but I wanted to leave a trace for anyone who is still curious about this camera. I’ve had it for a couple months now and I love it. I use it with only manual lenses which really strips it down to a sturdy shooter from the tics of a digital body + digital lens setup. At the same time I fully embrace the technology; slapping an R adapter onto the M adapter then attaching the R bellows while using the app as a remote trigger. Even better I can frame the shot from the phone while pulling focus without having to squat down to the camera. Also I use my phone as a hotspot so I can take that setup anywhere.

           I’m a big fan of the X series (the X1 was my first Leica) so to finally have that setup with M lenses has been a wish come true. Sometimes we get so caught up in every little detail of these cameras we forget how fabulous the photos can be that come out of them. I’ve had shots from the X1 appear next to shots from an M in LFI and you can’t tell what camera shot what. If we look at it from a purely photographic standpoint rather then from a checklist, it becomes a whole lot more enjoyable.

           My opinion in regards to the viewfinder; while I agree it does take away from the beauty of the camera itself, I’d rather have a sturdy viewfinder on top then a little rinky pop-up one that takes the place of the flash. Sony and Olympus seemed to manage it by putting a SLR style mirror housing on top. Leica is never going to do that, it’s not in their DNA (unless you include the Minolta built R cameras.) Otherwise I think you’d have to make it the size of an M to get it flush in the camera while leaving room for everything else. I wouldn’t have a problem with an M sized T but it’s not realistic. Sure Fuji can do it with their smaller screens and plastic bodies, but I’ll be surprised if Leica goes the same route.

           So yeah, lovely camera for photographers who appreciates the Leica way. It’s the Ur-Leica for the 21st century!

       • Might have to rent one.

     • I don’t own a Leica, but if there was interest I would go another way. Buying a used M9 and a Zeiss ZM or used 35mm Summicron would be the way I would lean. It is a better system, better legacy, and feels less gimmicky. To me, the T series seems aimed at current Leica owners and really not about getting new users. The Leica M’s I would consider, this not so much.

       • That’s funny. I am a Leica owner and I am sitting here thinking this camera is Leica’s attempt to attract new Leica users because it doesn’t seem to be appealing to purists.

         • That’s why as a non-Leica owner, I feel it is a miss for me. It doesn’t seem like the Leica experience (as far as being connected to the subject). It feels very Burberry (or Italian).

           • I have to agree with you. I really want a Leica and was hoping this release would be it, but I don’t think it is for me. THE ONLY THING in my mind that makes this camera worth the money is that it is Leica, and because of that, we can safely assume it will be supported by quality lenses for some time to come. Other than that, it is grossly overpriced and there are way too many other cameras out there that easily compete with, or outperform this camera, at a much lower price point.

           • Please keep in mind that photography is a very subjective matter. What is good for one user may not be so good for another user because we all look at one object with different perspectives. Just look at photo contests. Since no two entries have the same contents, how do the judges decide which is “the best photo”? Again, it goes back to the subjective judgement of the beholders.
             I have never bought a Leica, so I cannot comment on the T. But in using and handling other cameras that I have used in the past years, I can appreciate Steve Huff’s comments in this review:
             “Q: Why wouldn’t I just buy a Fuji X-T1 and 3-4 lenses instead?

             A: The Fuji X-T1 is nice. Best Fuji X to date (my review) but the Fuji is a different kind of camera. First of all, I much prefer the IQ and rendering of the T’s sensor as I just do not like the X-Trans look, my personal thing. Second, the T is made and built to a much higher standard and feels “right” than any other mirror less APS-C camera. Third: It all depends on what you like. If you want a Leica then you will get the T. If you want a Fuji, you will get a Fuji. Both are fantastic as are mostly ALL cameras today. Even Stefan Daniel talked with me about this when he saw a Panasonic GX7 around my body. He said “that is a great camera and most of them are today“. When I asked him how Leica would compete with the likes of Fuji, Sony, Olympus he said something along the line of “It is about the experience and the fun factor..the joy of using the camera as well as the image quality..the build and design“. He is correct and is the same thing I always say..maybe he is a regular reader of my blog 🙂 In any case, the T will offer a little bit more of a slower experience but one with amazing IQ possibilities and using M lenses is fantastic on the T. Strangely enough, The Fuji is more of a “Photographers Camera” though, an area that Leica has always excelled at. Many will prefer the Fuji, plain and simple. At any cost. But if you want the best M lens solution for APS-C, the T is it. ”

             The overall user experience of some cameras are indeed better than others. That must be determined by each photographer. To the Leica owners, the “Leica feel” is more important than reading the specs on lens resolution, etc.

       • Actually, the “T” has really hooked me on Leica – having lurked in the M-system without buying for long.

     • I purchased a Leica T in Europe while on honeymoon, get back to Singapore and the LCD keeps flickering, rendering the camera unusable. It’s less than a week since it was purchased, but when I bring it to Leica Singapore’s customer service center, they tell me since it wasn’t purchased in Singapore, they do not have to do a one-to-one swap and instead the camera will now spend 8 weeks go to Germany for repair and then coming back. Maybe other Leica customer service centers are different around the world, but I feel there needs to be a disclaimer on the links to online sellers to warn buyers that unless they live in the US, if they receive a lemon from Leica, the worldwide warranty just means it will be 2 months of no camera, and when it comes back, it will have 22 months of warranty. This is my first Leica buying experience and probably my last. Nice design, poor manufacturing, and worthless after-sales service.

       • Kenn, this is an indeed unfortunate experience, but it is a salutary lesson to others when sourcing items from one country and then trying to get it serviced in another. I’m guessing your experience is typical in such circumstances, although the event itself has left something of a sour taste in your mouth regarding Leica QC.

         I don’t know exactly what the Leica warranty has to say, but most likely it will be of the Pan-European wording as you purchased the T in Europe. And if it is, warranty repair/servicing will be recognised by the official Leica repair centre in each EU Member State. This doesn’t help you in Singapore, but I’m sure you will find it fairly standard practice.

         UK buyers often eye with some envy the prices quoted for US based products, but even ignoring the potential for UK Customs duties and VAT, the potential hassle to get it repaired under warranty back in the US, and even here the US warranty many not be as extended as is required under UK law, invariably means it is better to source locally.

Comments are closed.