The T features a unique lug attachment system for straps and other accessories, and it has a pop-up flash that seamlessly hides into the camera’s chassis. It’s all very modern and offers more than a passing resemblance to the one-off Leica M auctioned off late last year that was designed by Apple’s Jonathan Ive and Marc Newson. The T is very solid and the cold touch of the aluminum feels great in your hand, though it’s a much different experience than one gets from a traditional Leica rangefinder.

The Leica T bears more than a passing resemblance to the Jonathan Ive-designed Leica M from last year

Aside from its clean lines and all-metal construction, the other thing that separates the T from the rest of Leica’s lineup is its lack of buttons and physical controls. There are two thumb dials, a shutter key surrounded by a power toggle, and a movie-recording key on the top of the camera. Everything else is handled by the T’s 3.7-inch 854 x 480-pixel touchscreen panel. The only viewfinder option is an external EVF, and unlike Leica’s rangefinders, the T has autofocus and comes with built-in Wi-Fi, which pairs to Leica’s new iOS app for remote control and image transfers.

Inside, the T has a 16-megapixel, APS-C size CMOS image sensor built by Sony and 16GB of internal storage to go along with its SD card support. It lacks an anti-aliasing filter and can shoot at ISOs up to 12,800. For video, the T records 1080p video at 30 frames per second and records stereo sound. Leica says the rechargeable battery is good for about 400 pictures between charges, which compares favorably to other mirrorless cameras.