Apple’s Jony Ive is to design a one-of-a-kind Leica M camera

In a rare opportunity to help raise funds for charity, Apple’s SVP of Industrial Design Jony Ive will design a special one-of-a-kind model of Leica’s new rangefinder camera: the Leica M.

According to Petapixel, shortly after the company introduced the new Leica M, its chairman Andreas Kaufmann explained that it has plans to design a limited edition version of the camera, one that would see creative input from Apple’s chief designer.

Only one unit will be manufactured and instead of going on general sale, Leica will auction it off and donate the proceeds to charity.

The Leica M features a 24-megapixel sensor, supports 1080p full HD video, a 1800 mAh battery, a splash proof camera body with a high-resolution rear screen that is protected with Corning’s Gorilla Glass.

There’s no word on when the camera will be released, let alone ready for auction. The new Leica M will be available from early 2013 for £5,100, meaning we may find out more nearer the launch date.

You can guarantee the special edition Leica M will command some serious money, so if you want to get your hands on a Leica camera that has may feature some subtle Apple design elements, you might want to start saving  now.

The image below is the original Leica M, not the limited edition design:

Image Credit: Wikipedia