Leica Q Type116 Review
Full-frame compact camera Leica Q (Type 116) with 28 mm fixed focal length: Sony’s RX1 gets competition.
The Leica Q (Type 116) with its F1.7 high-intensity 28mm fixed focal length lens is only the beginning of a new compact camera series with full-format sensor. [Photo: Leica]
As with the Sony RX1, the powerful fixed focal length lens stands out clearly from the slim camera body. The Leica Summilux 1:1.7/28 mm ASPH. is fixed and equipped with a mechanical aperture ring (snaps in third steps), a focus ring with distance and depth of field scale and a macro switch (reduces the close-up limit from 30 to 17 centimeters). The 49mm thread allows the connection of optical filters. The housing is held in the Leica-typical design (brick with rounded sides) and made of robust metal (aluminium and a magnesium alloy) with high-quality laser engravings. You could almost think that the lens could be changed – but you won’t find the unlock button for it. The ready-to-operate 13 x 8 x 9.3 centimeter Leica Q weighs 640 grams.
Matching the aperture ring, there is a manual time wheel on the housing which, like the aperture ring, has an automatic position. The quiet mechanical central shutter operates with shutter speeds of up to 1/2,000 seconds, the flash synch speed is 1/500 second. With an electronic shutter, you can even work silently at 1/2,500 to 1/16,000 seconds. But Leica has also thought about motif programs such as sports, portraits or landscapes, as well as face recognition.
The photographer doesn’t have to do without an autofocus, which according to Leica is supposed to be the fastest in its class – but compared to the Sony RX1, which is quite sluggish in autofocus, this isn’t much of a feat either. Of course, manual focusing is also possible. Both focus peaking and a magnifying glass magnifying up to six times are available. Not only the fast lens, but also the 24 megapixel resolution full-frame sensor enable photography even in low light – after all, the CMOS sensor allows a maximum sensitivity of ISO 50,000. The powerful Leica Maestro II image processor has been specially adapted to the Q and processes up to ten serial images per second at full resolution. Smart: If you don’t like the 28 mm fixed focal length, you can “switch” to 35 or 50 mm. The original image section is still stored in the raw data format (DNG), while the JPEG is trimmed to 15.4 and 7.5 megapixels, respectively. In the viewfinder or on the monitor, the Leica Q displays the image section in the form of a luminous frame so that the photographer can still see the image area outside the trim.
Despite the high 24-megapixel resolution, the Leica Q (type 116) takes ten series pictures per second. The adapted image processing processor Maestro II makes it possible. [Photo: Leica]
The Leica Q (Type 116) has a 3″ touch screen and a 3.68 million pixel viewfinder – a new resolution record! [Photo: Leica]
Regarding the viewfinder: This sets new standards with a resolution of 3.68 million pixels. 1.280 x 960 pixels in true colors. Unfortunately, Leica does not display the viewfinder magnification. The 7.5 cm screen is a touch screen with a resolution of around one million pixels. It can be used, for example, to select the focus point with the touch of a finger. Leica has even provided the Q with a video function in Full HD resolution at 30 and 60 frames per second and with stereo sound including wind noise filter and MP4 as memory format. WLAN is also on board. This allows not only wireless transmission of images, but also remote control of the camera with the help of the Q-App. In addition to remote triggering including live image transmission, the aperture and shutter speed settings can also be accessed via the app. Thanks to NFC, the smartphone can also be easily connected to the Q.
The Leica Q is now available from Leica dealers at a price of 3,990 Euro. The scope of delivery includes a lens hood and a full version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for Windows and Mac OS, which can be downloaded from the Leica website after purchase. Leica also offers an extensive range of accessories, from protectors and hand straps to various leather bags. Thanks to the flash shoe, external flash units can also be operated on the Leica Q, but it does not have an integrated flash.
Leica Q (Type 116) also available in titanium as of 2020
The Leica Q (type 116) titan costs 4,450 Euro instead of 3,990 Euro for the black version. The titanium version, for example, comes with a carrying strap made of climbing rope material. [Photo: Leica]
The Leica Q (type 116) titan is a full-frame compact camera with 24 megapixels resolution. [Photo: Leica]
The Leica Q (Type 116) titan is the only camera so far to offer an extremely high-resolution electronic viewfinder with 3.68 million pixels. [Photo: Leica]
The Leica Q (type 116) titan has a 28 mm fixed focal length with a maximum light intensity of F1.7. [Photo: Leica]
The Leica Q (Type 116) Titan is technically identical to the series version and impresses with its 3.68 million pixel electronic viewfinder, for example. According to Leica, the autofocus is the fastest in its class. You can also switch to macro mode or manual focus. The fast lens allows photography even in low light, the 24 megapixel resolution 35mm sensor contributes its part with a sensitivity of up to ISO 50,000. The Maestro II image processor enables fast data processing of up to ten serial images per second. Video recording is limited to Full HD resolution with either 30 or 60 frames per second. The Leica Q even has WLAN, and the camera can be remotely controlled with the free app. The Leica Q (type 116) titan will be available in the Leica stores at a price of 4,450 euros. By the way, the scope of delivery includes a colour-coordinated carrying strap made of climbing rope material.
Silver Edition of the Leica Q (Type 116)
Leica Q. [Photo: Leica]
Leica Q. [Photo: Leica]
Technically, the special edition corresponds to the production model with its 24 megapixel 35mm sensor, the F1.7 28mm lens and the 3.68 million pixel viewfinder. From the end of November 2017, the Leica Q (Type 116) isavailable in the silver version at a price of 4,190 Euro.
Special edition Leica Q “Snow” by Iouri Podladtchikov announced
The Leica Q “Snow” by Iouri Podladtchikov is based on the silver production model, but has a white genuine leather cover. For the first time, a silver flash shoe cover made of aluminium is also included in the scope of delivery. [Photo: Leica]
Leica Q “Snow” by Iouri Podladtchikov. [Photo: Leica]
Leica Q “Snow” by Iouri Podladtchikov. [Photo: Leica]
The 4,950 Euro Leica Q “Snow” comes with a white genuine leather bag. In addition, the flash shoe cover is made of silver anodized aluminum for the first time and each Q “Snow” has a special serial number. Technically, the “Snow” corresponds to normal serial production. It features a 24 megapixel full-frame sensor and an F1.7 fast 28mm fixed focal length. The electronic viewfinder has a particularly high resolution of 3.68 million pixels. The Leica Q (Type 116) also offers a Full HD video function, optionally with 30 or 60 frames per second, as well as WLAN for wireless image transmission and remote control via app.
The 4,950 Euro Leica Q “Snow” by Iouri Podladtchikov comes with a matching white genuine leather bag. [Photo: Leica]
Special edition Leica Q “Khaki” announced
The silver Leica Q “Khaki” full-frame compact camera covered with khaki-colored genuine leather is built only 495 times. [Photo: Leica]
The 4,780 Euro Leica Q “Khaki” comes with a matching khaki-coloured genuine leather belt. [Photo: Leica]
The 4,780 Euro Leica Q “Khaki” comes with a matching khaki-coloured genuine leather belt. In addition, the Leica ski lift was curved on the deck cap and also laid out in khaki. Technically the “Khaki” corresponds to the normal series version. It features a 24 megapixel full-frame sensor and an F1.7 fast 28mm fixed focal length. The electronic viewfinder has a particularly high resolution of 3.68 million pixels. The Leica Q (Type 116) “Khaki” also offers a Full HD video function, optionally with 30 or 60 frames per second, as well as WLAN for wireless image transmission and remote control via app.
Leica Q (Type 116) Datasheet
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