Leica Q2: What you need to know
Almost four years since the original Q was launched, Leica has unveiled the Q2, which adds a higher-resolution sensor, revamped interface and improved video capabilities. Those changes come at a higher price, with the Q2 retailing for $ 4995, compared to $ 4250 on the original model.
Here’s everything you need to know about Leica’s new luxury compact.
New 47MP sensor
The original Q offered a variant of the 24MP sensor used in the SL and M Typ 240, but the Q2 debuts a new 47MP sensor which we suspect is similar the one used in the new Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R (and presumably a future Leica SL model). As such, it’s almost certainly not related to similar resolution sensors used in current Nikon and Sony mirrorless cameras.
Expanded ISO range
The new sensor brings an expanded ISO sensitivity range, from ISO 50 up to 50,000. Although we haven’t yet completed our full testing, the base of ISO 50 appears to be a true ‘native’ base ISO, which should offer additional dynamic range in Raw mode compared to ISO 100.
35mm, 50mm and 75mm equivalent crop modes
All those pixels makes cropping a little more practical than it was on the 24MP Q. The Q2 now includes three cropped capture modes instead of two, offering fields of view equivalent to 35mm, 50mm and 75mm. Resolution in the ’35mm’ mode is a more than usable 30MP, dropping to 15MP at ’50mm’ and 6.6MP at ’75mm’.
Redesigned controls
Imagine an original Q crossed with an M10 with a splash of CL thrown in, and that’s the Leica Q2, basically. The lens controls are unchanged – there’s a large, locking focus tab and faux mechanical aperture dial there if you need them, and a neat auto/manual focus ring with a collar-type macro switch, all of which we loved in the Q and still love in the Q2.
Redesigned controls
The big changes are on the rear, where the five rear buttons of the Q have been whittled down to three, with the video button removed entirely. Meanwhile a push button serves as a customizable control at the hub of the main dial on the top of the camera. The touchscreen can also be used as a control surface for positioning the AF point and reviewing photos you’ve taken.
Dust and splash-resistant build
The Q2 is build to withstand moderate use in tough conditions, offering the same IP52 rating as the SL. Technically this should guarantee “limited protection against dust ingress [and] falling drops of water, if the case is disposed up to 15 degrees from vertical”. While this might not sound particularly impressive, consider that most photographic equipment is not rated by its manufacturers at all, and as such, even a modest IP rating should inspire a degree of confidence in wet or dusty conditions.
Despite its new weatherproofing, the Q2 maintains the same shape and size as the original Q, thanks (according to Leica) to a redesign of some internal components.
New 3.68M-dot OLED viewfinder
While the Q2’s electronic viewfinder appears to offer the same resolution as its predecessor (3.68 million dots) the original Q’s finder was of the field-sequential type, which only showed you 1.04 million dots at a time. The Q2’s finder is OLED, which offers a significant step up in terms of sharpness and contrast, compared to the older camera. Blacks are actually black, and you no longer have the rainbow effect associated with field-sequential displays. The finder is also slightly larger, offering 0.76X magnification and improved optics. Leica claims that the eye-sensor has been improved too, and should operate without any perceptible delay.
Automatic image stabilization
The Q2 takes the optical image stabilization system of the original Q and adds an extra layer of control. As well as on and off, stabilization can be set to kick in only at exposure times of longer than 1/60 sec, to save on power drain at faster shutter speeds where camera shake isn’t likely to be a significant concern. How much difference this makes to total battery life in normal shooting situations remains to be seen but it’s a feature that makes sense on a fixed focal length camera.
Improved battery life
Compared to the original Q, the Q2’s battery life has increased by 30% from a stated 270 shots to 350 (CIPA). The Q2 uses the more powerful battery originally found in the SL, and we’d expect that in normal use, you should expect a lot more than 350 shots per charge out of it if you shoot sensibly.
Extended shutter speed range
Easy to miss on a spec sheet, but the Q2 benefits from a redesigned shutter, with mechanical shutter control up to 1/2000 sec – the same as the Q – but now flash sync has been given a boost, from a maximum of 1/500 to 1/2000 seconds in the new camera. The shortest shutter duration using electronic shutter has is now 1/40,000 sec, compared to 1/16,000 in the older model.
SD Cards and 4K video
Thanks partially to the change in batteries, the Q2 now has a separate door for the SD card and also supports the faster UHS-II card format (the original Q would only operate at UHS-I speeds). This will be especially handy for fast burst shooting and the addition of 4K video.
While the form factor of the Q-series might not lend itself naturally to serious videography, the option of high-quality video capture in such a small lightweight camera is pretty appealing. The Q2 offers DCI / UHD 4K at up to 30p, and Full HD at 120p for slow-motion capture. The new ‘true’ base ISO of 50 should reduce the need for neutral density filters when shooting video in bright light, too, as well as offer respectable dynamic range – something we’re currently putting to the test.
The rest
In all, we find the improvements Leica has made to the Q2 are well judged and all the more impressive considering the camera is almost the exact same size as the previous model. The basic formula remains the same, and the Q2 should promise to be just as engaging a tool for discerning photographers as the original.
Is the Q2 the camera for you? For those of you that have owned or used an original Q, what do you make of the new model? Let us know in the comments.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
You must be logged in to post a comment.