Leica Q2 Monochrom Digital Camera

The Leica Q2 Monochrom combines two of its most distinctive series into a full-frame compact camera equipped with a 47.3MP monochrome sensor, specifically designed to capture striking and detailed black-and-white images.

This specialized monochrome sensor, unlike a conventional CMOS sensor, eliminates the color filter array, allowing it to record only luminance values. This results in enhanced visual depth and clarity, along with improved ISO sensitivity up to 100,000 and minimized noise levels, making it suitable for challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, the sensor’s architecture excludes an optical low-pass filter and incorporates an upgraded microlens array, contributing to sharper, higher-resolution images.

In addition to its Monochrom feature, this iteration of the Q2 maintains a reputation for swift and durable performance, along with user-friendly handling. The sensor is paired with a Maestro II image processor, enabling rapid shooting at up to 10 fps, support for both DCI and UHD 4K video recording, and dependable autofocus capabilities. It also includes the highly regarded Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH. wide-angle prime lens, which has been optimized for exceptional resolution and clarity in conjunction with the sensor.

The Q2 Monochrom preserves the sleek and compact design that makes it perfect for street and travel photography, and this version features a more discreet matte black finish, omitting the iconic Leica red dot. Its magnesium alloy body is weather-sealed, ensuring durability in challenging environments, and it utilizes the same battery found in the flagship SL-series mirrorless cameras for extended battery life. A high-resolution 3.68MP OLED electronic viewfinder provides smooth and clear eye-level monitoring, while a rear 3.0″ 1.04m-dot touchscreen LCD allows for easy playback and settings adjustments. Built-in Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi enable wireless sharing and remote control of the camera from a connected mobile device using the Leica FOTOS app.

Monochrom

The Q2 Monochrom sets itself apart from the conventional Q2 as the inaugural black-and-white-only variant of this compact full-frame camera. Building on the foundation of the standard model, this unique edition incorporates the sought-after design features of the Q2 system while introducing a 47.3MP monochrome sensor that lacks a color filter array and low-pass filter. This design choice enables the camera to capture exclusively black-and-white images with enhanced sharpness and detail. In addition to its distinctive imaging capabilities and superior image quality, the Q2 Monochrom showcases a monochromatic exterior, characterized by white and gray engravings on the body and a streamlined top plate design.

47.3MP B&W Full-Frame CMOS Sensor and Maestro II Processor

The Q2 Monochrom stands out with its exceptional imaging system, featuring a 47.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor that works in conjunction with the Maestro II image processor. This combination provides an extensive dynamic range and impressive tonal rendering, along with improved sensitivity for various lighting environments. The sensor is designed with an updated microlens array and lacks an optical low-pass filter, resulting in superior sharpness, resolution, and clarity. Unlike conventional sensor designs, the Q2 Monochrom’s sensor does not include a color filter array (CFA), allowing it to capture monochromatic images based solely on luminance values, which enhances clarity, depth, and resolution. This design choice also enables a wider sensitivity range of ISO 100-100,000 compared to the color-enabled Q2, while minimizing noise for optimal performance in challenging lighting situations and providing a broad 13-stop dynamic range.

The Maestro II processor enhances shooting performance, allowing for rapid capture at up to 10 frames per second at full resolution with a mechanical shutter, complemented by a notably fast autofocus system. Images can be saved as 14-bit DNG files or JPEGs. The increased resolution also facilitates unique digital zoom options, enabling the simulation of various focal lengths: 30MP images can be produced with a 35mm field of view, 15MP images with a 50mm field of view, and 7MP images with a 75mm field of view.

In addition to still photography, the Q2 Monochrom uniquely supports DCI 4K24p and UHD 4K30p video recording, as well as high-speed Full HD recording at rates of up to 120 frames per second.

Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH. Lens

The Q-series has gained significant popularity due to its integration of a fixed Summilux 28mm f/1.7 wide-angle prime lens. This lens combines Leica’s extensive optical expertise with a design that complements the image sensor, featuring three aspherical elements to minimize distortion and spherical aberrations, resulting in sharp and precise image quality. With a fast maximum aperture of f/1.7, it performs exceptionally well in low-light environments and provides enhanced control over depth of field. Furthermore, it includes a dedicated macro focusing position, allowing for close-up work with subjects as near as 6.7 inches. The addition of optical image stabilization further aids in reducing the impact of camera shake, ensuring sharper images during handheld shooting.

Body Design

• High-resolution 3.68MP (1280 x 960) OLED electronic viewfinder provides a clear and realistic means for eye-level viewing. Its high refresh rate virtually eliminates lag and an updated eye sensor provides faster automatic switching between the EVF and the rear LCD.
• Rear 3.0″ 1.04m-dot LCD features a touchscreen design for intuitive navigation and playback, as well as the ability to touch to focus.
• Lightweight magnesium alloy body is dust and moisture sealed (IP52-rated) for use in harsh environmental conditions.
• BP-SCL4 battery offers approximately 350 shots per charge and the battery’s physical design incorporates a rubber gasket to further reinforce the overall weather sealing.
• Enhanced haptics, following suit of the M10 and CL-series cameras, emphasize a simpler interface, including a single-stage On/Off button, a three-button rear control set, a programmable button within the thumb-wheel dial, a push-button diopter adjustment, and a distinctive thumb grip.
• Mechanical shutter affords flash sync speeds up to 1/500 sec.
• Lens features a 49mm filter thread diameter for attaching optional filters.
• Accepts one SD-type memory card and supports the UHS II protocol.
• Built-in Wi-Fi, when used in conjunction with the Leica FOTOS app for iOS and Android, permits sharing imagery directly to a linked mobile device and also enables remote control over the camera and remote shooting via a live view image. Additionally, Bluetooth LE helps to maintain a permanent connection between the mobile device and the camera, enabling remote waking of the camera and automatic connection anytime within range.