Leica Q2 Monochrom

Leica's "monochrome" models provide only black and white images. Thus, they are unique. It started with the Leica M9 Monochrome, continued with the M Monochrome, M10 Monochrome and now comes the Q2 Monochrome.

Apart from the backs of so-called medium format cameras, there are no other cameras with sensor and processor that provide just black and white images in RAW or JPG format. As such, all camera sensors are "black and white". Colors come through a special filter that sits in front of the sensor. The filter is the basis for the interpretation of data made by the camera's processor, which results in a color image. This filter does not is not present in the Leica Q2 Monochrom

The new camera has much the same technical characteristics as the Leica Q2, except for a newly developed black and white sensor with a resolution of 47.3 megapixels and specially adapted software. In addition, the filter that is normally used to "create" color images and the low-pass filter are not in front of the sensor, which means, among other things, that the sharpness is improved somewhat. The new sensor also enables an expanded ISO range from low 100 ISO to as much as 100,000 ISO.

The new sensor only produces black and white images with an extremely high resolution, while also providing the option of 4K filming in both 3840x2160 format and the Cinema format with a resolution of 4096x2160. Together with the bright lens, Leica Summilux 28 mm / f1.7 ASPH, in combination with ISO values ​​up to 100,000, the Leica Q2 Monochrome can handle still images and video in very low light conditions. Leica Q2 is the perfect tool for photographers who are interested in or specialize in reportage, street photography, landscapes and even portraits. The fact that the camera is weatherproof (IP52 class) naturally contributes to it being a very good tool for photographers who want to take the camera with them regardless of the weather.

thanks to the lens' close range of 17 centimeters, the Leica Q2 is also an exciting camera for macro photography. For all those who also want to use their camera to really capture the moment in flight, the capacity of 10 images (exposures) per second is of course also a welcome feature.

The new sensor's high resolution has made it possible to increase the digital cropping factor (sometimes also called "digital zoom") compared to the previous Leica Q model. Now you can choose between cropping factors for JPEG images that correspond to lenses with focal lengths of 35, 50 and 75 millimeters. The cropping is displayed in the camera's new and improved electronic viewfinder, and the images saved in JPEG format have a resolution of 30 (35 mm), 14.7 (50 mm) and 6.6 (75 mm) megapixels when cropped. While the cropped images are saved in JPEG format, the entire image (47.3 megapixels) is also saved in RAW format (DNG).

As already mentioned, the electronic viewfinder is newly developed and improved in the Leica Q2. The viewfinder resolution is now 3.68 megapixels with high stability and contrast. Thanks to the new viewfinder, you get even better control over your photography. Despite the new viewfinder, the camera's power consumption has been kept low, which means that the camera and battery can handle at least 370 exposures on a single charge (this may vary depending on the outside temperature and the use of the camera's monitor).

Of course, the Leica Q2 Monochrome, like all other Leica digital cameras in today's range, can be used together with the Leica PHOTOS app, which is available for both Android and Iphone.

Video: Leica Talk : Leica Q2 Monochrom

Technical data | Leica Q2 Monochrom

Camera type
35 mm digital compact camera with fixed, non-replaceable lens

Sensor format and aspect ratio
24 x 36 mm | 3: 2

Objective
Leica Summilux 28 mm f / 1.7 ASPH, 11 lenses in 9 groups, 3 aspherical lenses

Digital zoom effect cropping modes
35 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm
Affects only JPEG images

Image stabilization
Optical stabilization for both still image and video

Aperture setting
1.7 to 16 in 1⁄3 EV steps

Sensor (newly developed) and resolution
CMOS black and white sensor, 24x36 mm (full format)
50.4 / 47.3 million pixels (total / effective)

Dynamic range
13 steps

Color depth
14-bit

Image format
DNG (RAW), DNG + JPEG, JPEG.

Video format
MP4
Cinema 4K (4096x2160), 4K (3840x2160) and HD (1920x1080)

Frame rate (video)
Cinema 4K: 24 frames / second
4K: 30 and 24 frames / second
HD: 24, 30, 60 and 120 frames / second

Audio format
AAC

Microphone
Built-in, stereo

Speaker
Mono

Storage media
Memory card: SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS II cards are recommended

ISO range
Automatic, ISO 100 to ISO 100,000

White balance
Automatic, preset or via manual setting

Color spaces
sRGB, Adobe RGB and ECI RGB V.2.0

Focus adjustment
30 centimeters to ∞, macro position down to 17 centimeters
Autofocus or manual focus, "focus peaking" in four selectable colors

Autofocus modes
AFS (picture taken when focus is set)
AFC (continuous, image can be taken regardless of whether the focus is set)
AF (focus setting can be saved)

Autofocus options
Single field / single (movable measuring point)
Multiple fields (225 fields / measuring points)
Face recognition
Object following
[Exposure via touch on the rear monitor]

Exposure modes
Programmable AE, aperture preset, shutter preset or manual

Exposure measurement methods
Multi-segment, center weight, spot

Exposure compensation
± 3 EV in 1/3-EV increments

Automatic "exposure bracketing"
3 to 5 exposures in up to 3 EV steps (1⁄3 EV accuracy)

Shutter type
Mechanical, electronic or hybrid

Shutter speeds
Mechanical shutter: 60 seconds to 1⁄2000 second
Electronic shutter: 1/2500 to 1⁄40000 second

Blix synchronization
Up to 1⁄500 second

Image / exposure frequency (still images)
10, 5 or 3 frames / second

Self-timer
2 or 12 seconds

OLED viewfinder (newly developed)
Resolution: 1280 x 960 pixels x 3 colors (= 3.68 megapixels), about 100 percent viewfinder image.
Diopter setting: Minus 4 to plus 3 diopters
Eye recognition for switching between electronic viewfinder and monitor.

Rear monitor
3-inch TFT LCD screen with approximately 1,040,000 pixels, touch sensitive

WLAN
IEEE 802.11b / g / n (standard WLAN), channels 1 to 11
WLAN compliant encryption (WPA / WPA2)

Bluetooth
Bluetooth LE

Protected against water splashes and dust
Yes (IP52 class)

Battery
Leica BP-SCL4 (lithium ion), 7.2V, 1860 mAh

Number of exposures on a single charge
About 370

Camera housing
Magnesium

Filter thread
E49

Weights and Measures
130 mm x 80 mm x 91.9 mm
718 grams / 637 grams (with / without battery)

In the package
Camera, carrying strap, backlight protection, lens cap, accessory shoe protection, battery charger, power cable, USB cable

Guarantee
Two-year factory warranty

Software
Leica PHOTOS App

All Leica digital cameras come with a three-month subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan (the buyer has 30 days to activate the subscription). This subscription includes full versions of Photoshop CC, Photoshop Lightroom CC, and Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC. In addition, 20 GB of cloud-based storage for images is also included. After three months, you can choose to continue with the subscription (more information is available on the Adobe website).