Leica finally reveals the Jony Ive-designed camera

Over a year in the making, this limited-edition Leica M was designed by Apple's Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson.

Announced late last year, the single Leica M will be auctioned off for charity as part of the (RED) Auction at Sotheby's, New York, on 23 November. Made up of nearly 1000 prototype parts, the camera took 725 hours to piece together.

While this model has no official ties to Apple, it does give us a look at what an Apple-designed camera could look like. Leica has previously collaborated with prestige brands such as Hermes and Audi to create limited-edition models.

Apart from the external design, the inside of the camera remains the same as a regular Leica M. It features a 24-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, though the Ive and Newson-designed version comes with a 50mm f/2 lens. The regular M model is splash proof and features Gorilla glass over the LCD screen, though there is no official word on whether this particular version will be as resistant to the elements.

The specs look as if they will play the part, with the body and lens machined from a custom-engineered alloy. The outer shell is finished in a textured anodised aluminium, while a "laser-machined aluminium body" coats the main body.

Newson is no stranger to camera design himself, having crafted the Pentax K-01 interchangeable lens camera in 2012.

There's no official reserve price for the camera, though interested bidders can inspect the camera at Sotheby's in New York prior to the 23 November auction date.