Fixed Lens Full-Frame Leica Q Announced

The Leica Q is the latest offering from high-end digital compact manufacturer Leica and it features a full-frame sensor, fixed prime lens, full HD video recording capabilities, a 24Mp CMOS sensor, the World's highest resolution electronic viewfinder and a touchscreen that can also be used for focusing.

The Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH lens makes the stylish Leica Q ideal for street, architectural and landscape photography fans and the specially adapted Leica Maestro II image processor provides enormous processing speeds and delivers up to ten frames per second at full resolution.

Alternative framing can be selected at the touch of a button with the digital frame selector feature which in addition to the focal length of 28mm at full resolution, this function also offers the equivalent of shooting with 35 and 50mm lenses. The corresponding frames are displayed in the viewfinder. Plus, as with a rangefinder camera, photographers can view the areas outside the bright-line frame, and can react much more quickly to changes in and around the subject. The selected framing is preserved in the JPEG image files, while the RAW files in DNG format record the entire field captured by the 28mm lens.

As well as a touchscreen, the Leica Q also features an integrated viewfinder with a resolution of 3.68 Mp and video fans will be happy to hear that they can choose between 30 and 60 full frames per second when capturing video in MP4 format. There's also an integrated wind-noise filter and a Wi-Fi module for wireless transmission of still pictures and video to other devices and remote control by WLAN from a smartphone or a tablet PC.

A Lecia Q app is available free of charge which can be used to remotely release the camera's shutter and the viewfinder image can also be viewed via the device the app is installed on. The app also allows the photographer to set their chosen aperture and shutter speed.

The Leica Q is available now from authorised UK Leica dealers at a suggested retail price of £2,900 including VAT and includes a copy of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. 

For more information on the new Leica Q, take a look at our hands-on preview. 

From Leica UK:

Leica Camera today introduces the first of a new line of digital compact cameras: the Leica Q.

With a full-frame sensor and a particularly high speed, classic focal length prime lens, the camera stands out thanks to its fast and intuitive handling. Its Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens makes it ideal for shooting in available light situations and has an angle of view that reproduces scenes with natural perspective and proportions. This makes the Leica Q the perfect camera for street, architectural and landscape photography.

With a 24 MP, full-frame CMOS sensor precisely matched to its lens, the camera delivers richly detailed exposures with extremely low noise at optimum quality, at ISO sensitivities up to 50,000. Furthermore, with the option of switching between macro, automatic and manual focusing, the Leica Q offers the greatest possible creative freedom, allowing the user to achieve even the most demanding of photographic ambitions.

To ensure that the ‘decisive moment’ is never missed, the Leica Q full-frame compact camera offers the fastest autofocus in its class, as well as almost real-time precision focusing. At the same time, its newly developed Leica Maestro II image processor, specifically adapted for the Leica Q, processes the data from the sensor at an enormous speed and delivers up to ten frames per second at full resolution. Ensuring reliable control of subject composition at this speed, the Leica Q also features an integrated viewfinder with a resolution of 3.68 MP. Even the finest details of each exposure are displayed without any perceptible lag.

The digital frame selector of the Leica Q allows further creative opportunities – alternative subject framing can be selected with the press of a button. In addition to the focal length of 28mm at full resolution, this function also offers the equivalent of shooting with 35 and 50mm lenses. The corresponding frames are displayed in the viewfinder.

As with a rangefinder camera, photographers can view the areas outside the bright-line frame, and can react much more quickly to changes in and around the subject. The selected framing is preserved in the JPEG image files, while the RAW files in DNG format record the entire field captured by the 28mm lens.

The Leica Q continues the Leica tradition of concentrating on ‘the essentials’ in terms of its design. The ‘made in Germany’ seal of quality guarantees that only the finest materials are employed in its construction, ensuring exceptional durability. The top plate is machined from solid blocks of aluminium, the body is made of magnesium alloy, and all lettering and markings on the setting dials are laser-engraved. The thumb rest on the back of the camera and the diamond pattern of the exterior finish ensure a steady grip.

With its ergonomic design, all functions of the Leica Q are clearly laid out and logically positioned. The clear menu provides rapid access to all essential features and also offers custom programming options: for example, convenient definition of the autofocus limits by key control. Alternatively, the touch screen can be used for focusing by eye, or the focusing point can be selected with a simple touch of a fingertip. In manual focusing mode, Live View offers two additional electronic focusing aids: Focus Peaking shows points in the subject that are sharply focused by the coloured highlighting of edges, and Live View Zoom simultaneously allows the photographer check the sharply focused parts of the scene with up to six-fold magnification. With the Leica Q, the photographer is always in control.

The two essential parameters for photography - aperture and shutter speed - can be read from the corresponding controls and set, even when the camera is switched off. Furthermore, when shooting in video mode, photographers can benefit from the exceptionally high speed and unmistakable bokeh of the Leica Q lens.

Video recorded in full HD with the Leica Q is indistinguishable from professional movie footage. Depending on the scene, the photographer can choose between 30 and 60 full frames per second for video recording in MP4 format. An integrated wind-noise filter guarantees crystal-clear sound. The Leica Q features an integrated Wi-Fi module for wireless transmission of still pictures and video to other devices and remote control by WLAN from a smartphone or a tablet PC. The Leica Q app for control of these features can be downloaded free of charge from the Leica website. In addition to remote release and display of the viewfinder image, the app allows the photographer to set their chosen aperture and shutter speed.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, a professional digital workflow solution for Apple Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows, is included with the Leica Q. This digital image processing software offers a comprehensive range of functions for the management, processing and presentation of digital image data. Leica Q customers can download the software free of charge from the Leica website after registering their camera.

An extensive range of accessories and premium bags and cases is also available for the Leica Q. These include an ever-ready case, a holster, a protector and a day bag (all manufactured exclusively for the Leica Q in finest black leather), system bags in various sizes and styles, hand straps and carrying straps, as well as accessories including the Leica SF 26 flash, a handgrip, table-top and travel tripods, and a selection of ball heads (please visit www.leica-camera.co.uk for further details). Just like the camera, all Leica Q accessories are designed for easy handling, and are manufactured from the highest quality materials to ensure versatility, reliability and a lifetime of use.