Leica has announced an all-new full-frame fixed lens camera, the Leica Q.
The camera is aimed at street photographers, coupling a Summilux 28mm f1.7 ASPH lens with the full-frame 24-megapixel CMOS sensor. It’s a geniune new addition to the Leica range (rather than a re-badged Panasonic). Other iterations of the Q at alternative focal lengths have been hinted at in overseas press briefings.
The Q has a high-res electronic viewfinder as well as a 3-inch touchscreen LCD. The EVF is 3.68-megapixel resolution and it displays the full-frame 28mm view as well as showing frame lines for 35mm and 50mm shots. The Q will save the 35mm or 50mm views as JPEGs while saving a RAW copy of the entire 28mm frame.
The touchscreen can also be used to manually focus the camera by tapping an area in the frame. Manual focusing is alternatively via the lens focus ring, with a locking function letting photographers switch between AF and MF.
Leica rates maximum low-light performance at ISO 50,000. It can capture 10fps in burst mode at full resolution. For macro photographers, it has a 17cm minimum focusing distance and macro mode. When it comes to bragging rights, Leica says the Q has the fastest lens in its class – the Sony RX has a marginally slower f2 lens – and the fastest AF performance of all full-frame compacts.
Other features of the Leica Q include full HD video recording, built-in Wi-Fi for sharing/transferring content, a Leica Q app for remotely controlling camera settings, live view, and focus peaking.
The Leica Q is made in Germany and has looks reminiscent of the Leica M series. It has a top plate crafted from a solid piece of aluminum, while the rest of the body is made from magnesium alloy.
We haven’t yet seen local release details. US pricing of the Leica Q is US$4250, UK pricing 2900 pounds.
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