The newest camera from Leica is just called the T, although you’ll probably see it referred to by its full manufacturing designation, the Leica T (Typ 701), in more than a few places. It represents a lower cost of entry when compared with the company’s full-frame M($4,999.99 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) and medium format S bodies, but the company didn’t cut any corners in regard to build quality or industrial design.

The T’s body is machined from a single block of aluminum, which gives it a sleek look whether you opt to pick it up in black or silver. It weighs in at 13.5 ounces without a lens, and measures 2.7 by 5.3 by 1.3 inches (HWD). The short distance between the sensor and camera mount makes it possible to mount Leica M rangefinder lenses via a mechanical adapter—the company is bringing one to market along with the T.

It sports a 16-megapixel APS-C image sensor and, unlike Leica’s rangefinders, supports autofocus. It’s a contrast-based system, which is a step behind more modern mirrorless cameras like the Samsung NX300($895.00 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) that incorporate both phase and contrast detection. But it does promise intuitive operation as you’ll be able to tap an area on the 3.7-inch rear display to select a focus point.

Most of the rear of the camera is occupied by the touch screen, but there are dual control dials on the top plate, as well as the pop-up flash, a hot shoe, the shutter release, and a record button for video—the T records in MP4 at up to 1080p30 quality. There will be a Visoflex EVF available if you prefer an eye-level viewfinder over the rear display.

Wi-Fi is built-in, a first for a Leica. You’ll be able to use a free iOS app to transfer images from the camera to your phone or tablet, or to remotely control the T via your handheld device. There’s no word on Android (or Windows Phone) support at press time. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is also bundled with the camera as a Raw converter; like most digital Leicas, the T shoots Raw images in the standard DNG format, and it can also capture photos in JPG.

The image sensor can be set from ISO 100 through 12500, and the mechanical shutter fires at speeds from 30 seconds to 1/4,000-second, and syncs with the built-in or an external flash at 1/180-second. The T is capable of shooting at 5fps, but is only able to keep that pace for 12 shots before slowing down. Images can be saved via internal memory—the camera sports 16GB of storage—and there’s a standard SDXC slot if you prefer to use a card.

The new camera is launching along with the Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 APSH. lens, a zoom that covers a 27-84mm field of view in full-frame terms. It can focus as close as 0.3 meters at its widest angle (0.45 meters at the telephoto), which makes it possible to get closer to your subjects than you can with an M rangefinder—most lenses for that system are limited to 0.7-meter close focus.

The prime Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH. lens is also coming to market with the T. It acts like a wide-angle 35mm prime, and can focus as close as 0.3 meters. Leica hasn’t delivered details on two additional lenses, an 11-23mm and a 55-135mm zoom, but they’ll be coming eventually.

The Leica T is set to go on sale in late May. The body is expected to sell for around $1,900, and it will cost you an additional $1,800 to get the Vario-Elmar-T and $1,900 to purchase a Summicron-T.