Leica Q2 Monochrom 47.3-megapixel fixed-lens full-frame black and white compact camera with Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth®

Features

Overview: The Leica Q2 Monochrom (#19055) is a full-frame compact camera with unparalleled performance in black-and-white photography. The camera features a large 47.3 megapixel monochrome image sensor, high quality prime lens, and a high-capacity rechargeable battery. The Q2 Monochrom has a full metal housing made of die-cast Magnesium, and sealed against dust and moisture (IP52), to let you shoot in all types of weather conditions.

Firmware Update: Leica has released a new firmware update for this camera. On December 8, 2023, Firmware Version 5.1.0 made significant improvement in the GPS accuracy of the shooting location. When the camera is connected to the FOTOS on your smartphone (with the GPS function activated), the GPS data (latitude, longitude, elevation) will be written into the Exif data of the images. The updates can be obtained from the Leica FOTOS app or the Leica Camera website.

3" LCD Monitor: The camera has a 3" touch-sensitive, TFT LCD monitor with approximately 1,040,000 pixels. The monitor is protected by a glass cover made of extremely hard and scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass. Some functions can be controlled by fingertip gestures (tap, swipe, drag) on the touch-sensitive monitor.

OLED Viewfinder: In addition to the 3" LCD monitor, the Q2 Monochrom has an OLED electronic viewfinder. The viewfinder has a 4:3 aspect ratio and a resolution of 1280 x 960 pixels x 3 colors, or 3.68MP. The +3/-4 diopter lets you adjust the focus of the viewfinder to your eyesight, and an eye sensor automatically switches between the viewfinder and monitor as you bring the camera up to your eye, or away from it.

Lens: The Q2 Monochrom is equipped with Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH lens. With a full-frame (35mm) image sensor, the focal length and angle of view are a true 28mm. The aperture range is f/1.7 to f/16 in 1/3 EV increments. The lens can focus from approximately 11.81" (30cm) to ∞ (infinity). In Macro mode, the cameras focus range is 6.69" (17cm) to 11.81" (30cm). The lens features 11 elements in 9 groups, including 3 aspherical surfaces.

Lens Hood: The lens is protected by a matching lens hood that helps reduce vignetting. The lens hood can be removed by unscrewing it from the lens and replacing it with the supplied thread protection ring. The included slip-on lens cap only fits the lens hood. A matching 49mm lens cap is available from Leica to protect the lens when the lens hood is not in use.

Image Sensor: The camera features a full-frame (24mm x 36mm) monochrome CMOS image sensor that is designed exclusively for this camera. It has 50.4-million total pixels and 47.3 effective pixels, and a native 3:2 aspect ratio.

Still Image Recording: The Leica Q2 Monochrom can record still images in JPEG and DNG (Digital Negative) formats. JPEG images can be recorded in 3 sizes: Large, Medium, and Small. If desired, you can record a full-resolution DNG (RAW data) format, along with the JPEG image. DNG photos are always taken at full resolution of 8368 x 5584 (47MP). To edit and process DNG images, you will need to use Adobe Photoshop Lightroom software.

Digital Frame Selector (Digital Zoom): The camera lets you record photos at two other trimming sizes, corresponding to the images you would get with lenses with focal lengths of 35mm (1.25x), 50mm (1.8x), or 75mm (2.7x). When you select one of these trimmed sizes, a frame will appear in the viewfinder or monitor showing you the area of the photo that will be captured. When photos are taken at 35mm, 50mm, or 75mm, the DNG (RAW) image will still remain at the 28mm full frame size.

Still Image Resolution: Still images can be captured at the following resolutions:

Drive Modes: In the menu, you can choose from the following Drive Modes:

• Single: The camera takes one photo at a time.
• Continuous: You can record a series of still photos at different speeds: Low (2 fps), Medium (6 fps), High (10 fps), or Very High (20 fps).
• Interval: You can record a series of still photos to observe a motion sequence over a long period of time. You can set the number of photos (1 to 9999), the interval between photos (1 second to 24h 59m 59s), and the countdown to the first exposure (1 second to 24h 59m 59s).
• Exposure Bracketing: You can record a series of pictures, each with a different exposure value. In the menu, you can select the following values: Number of frames (3 or 5), EV Steps (1/3EV to 3EV in 1/3EV steps), Exposure Compensation (-3EV to +3EV, 1/3EV steps), and Automatic/Manual

Self-Timer: The Self-Timer feature lets you take pictures with a preset time delay. You can choose a 2-second delay, which will help reduce camera shake, or a 12-second delay to allow the photographer to get into the frame after pressing the shutter release. Use of a tripod with the self-timer is highly recommended.

Video Recording: In addition to shooting stills, the Q2 Monochrom can record videos in MP4 format. You can choose between Cinema 4K (4096 x 2160 at 24 fps), 4K (3840 x 2160 at 30 or 24 fps), or Full HD (1920 x 1080 at 24, 30, 60, or 120 fps). Audio is recorded in AAC format using the built-in stereo microphone.

Memory Cards: The Q2 Monochrom has a memory card slot that will accept SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory cards up to 512 GB, including UHS-I and UHS-II compliant cards.

Wireless Functions: The Leica Q2 Monochrom can be controlled wirelessly via Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n -- 2.4GHz, and 802.11ac -- 2.4 + 5GHz) and Bluetooth (v4.2 Bluetooth Low Energy). The Leica FOTOS app is required for connecting the camera to your smartphone or tablet.

Leica FOTOS App: You can share your photos wirelessly via email, Instagram, Facebook, and other social media sites through the camera's integrated Wi-Fi function. The Leica FOTOS app connects your camera to your smartphone or tablet, and lets you control the camera remotely, transfer photos from your camera to your smart device, manage your camera settings, and see every detail and check your exposure of your images. The Leica FOTOS app is available for iOS devices running iOS 11.2 or later, and Android phones and tablets operating on Android 6.0 and up. The Leica FOTOS Pro Version is also available for iPad by paid subscription.

Image Stabilization: The camera features optical image stabilization to help prevent blurred images caused by camera shake. You can turn on image stabilization for still images and movies.

Shutter Types: The Q2 Monochrom features a mechanical shutter and an electronic shutter. The mechanical shutter's available speeds range from 120 seconds and 1/2000 second. The electronic shutter greatly expands the shutter speed range, and can function completely noiseless, if needed. The shutter speed range of the electronic shutter only is 1/2500 to 1/40000 second. When both mechanical and electronic shutters are used, the extended range of shutter speeds is 120 sec to 1/40000.

Exposure: The Leica Q2 Monochrom offers four exposure modes which are selected by the position of the shutter speed dial (on top of the camera) and the aperture ring (around the lens):

• Automatic Program (P): The exposure is controlled by an automatic shutter speed and automatic aperture setting. Using the top-mounted thumbwheel, you can shift the aperture for greater depth of field, or shift the shutter speed for faster shutter speeds. In these cases, the overall exposure, or brightness of the image, stays the same.
• Aperture Priority (A): In Aperture Priority mode, the shutter speed is set to automatic and the aperture setting in chosen manually. The correct shutter speed is automatically calculated for proper exposure based on the manually set aperture. The camera sets the shutter speed between 1/40000 and 120 min (max setting for ISO100/200).
• Shutter Speed Priority (T): In Shutter Speed Priority mode, the aperture is set to automatic, and the shutter speed is set manually. Faster shutter speeds can "freeze" the action, while slower speeds creates a feeling of motion in the image. The aperture is set by the camera between f/1.7 and f/16.
• Manual Exposure (M): In Manual Mode, the aperture setting and shutter speed are both set manually.

Image Properties: You can manipulate contrast, sharpness, and toning before recording. You can independently choose Contrast and Sharpness settings between Low, Medium Low, Standard, Medium Light, and High. A color tone can be added to your recordings from the following: Sepia (weak), Sepia (strong), Blue (weak), Blue (strong), Selenium (weak), and Selenium (strong).

Focusing Modes: The Leica Q2 Monochrom offers both automatic and manual focusing. When Auto Focus is chosen, you can choose one-time (AFs) or continuous focusing (AFc), and the following focus modes: multi-field, spot, field, tracking, and face detection. If Manual Focus is selected, focusing is obtained by turning the focus ring out of the AF position. To assist you during manual focusing, you can use Focus Peaking and Auto Magnification. Touch AF lets you directly choose the focus point by touching the subject on the touchscreen.

Exposure Metering: The camera offers the following exposure metering methods: Multi-Field, Center-Weighted, and Spot.

ISO Sensitivity: The camera can set the ISO speed automatically or manually. With Auto ISO, the sensitivity range and slowest shutter speed can be specified. You can also set the ISO manually between ISO 100 and ISO 100000 in 1 EV increments.

Flash Photography: The Q2 Monochrom does not have a built-in flash, but has an accessory shoe for adding an external flash, such as a Leica SF40 or SF60. Other commercially available flash units with a standard flash foot and positive center contact can be used as well. The camera uses a TTL (through-the-lens) flash metering function to determin the necessary flash intensity. The camera fires one or more pre-flashes before taking the actual picture. Flash modes include: Automatic flash, Manual flash, and Automatic flash with slower shutter speeds.

Image Playback: The Leica Q2 Monochrom lets you play back still images one at a time, or in an index of 12 (4 x 3) or 30 (6 x 5) thumbnail images.

Power Requirements: The camera is powered by the Leica BP-SCL4 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (7.2V, 1860mAh). The battery charges in approximately 2 hours 20 minutes using the supplied BC-SCL4 battery charger. A fully charged battery has the capacity for approximately 340 exposures using the LCD and 300 using the EVF.