Leica has tonight unveiled the Leica M-E, a full-frame camera targeted at photographers who want to make an entry into rangefinder photography.

Due out this month, costing £3,900, the Leica M-E carries an 18-million-pixel CCD imaging sensor and is compatible with Leica M lenses.

Housed in a magnesium-alloy body, with a brass base plate and top cover, the Leica M-E is described by Leica as a ‘compact digital view and rangefinder system still camera’.

Features include a 2.5in, 230,000-dot resolution LCD screen and an ISO range of 160-2500 (extendable down to ISO 80).

In a statement, Leica said the M-E ‚’makes an ideal entry-level model for photographers wishing to experience the fascination of M-photography in its purest form’.

The Leica M-E weighs 585g and measures 139x37x80mm.