Sexiest Leica ever? First leaked image of the Leica Q2 Monochrom

Leica Q2 Monochrom
(Image credit: Nokishita)

The Leica Q2 Monochrom has been leaked online, and even by Leica standards it's a captivating camera that already has us lusting after it. 

As is the manufacturer's way, the Leica Q2 Monochrom will be the latest remixed versions of the original 47MP Leica Q2, which was launched in March 2019 and similarly mesmerized us with its beauty. 

• Read more: Best Leica cameras

Since then, we've already seen the leaked Leica Q2 007 Limited Edition – a James Bond themed version of the Q2, which was set to launch in step with the new spy movie No Time to Die (which has been the subject of repeated delays due to the COVID crisis, and accordingly so has the camera). 

While the James Bond version boasts a bespoke British racing green colorway, a matching green Globe Trotter-branded briefcase presentation box, 007 logos on the top and rear of the camera and a special body cap (featuring the signature 'gun barrel' from the iconic intro to each Bond film), the Monochrom version won't come in British racing green. 

Indeed, it won't come with any colors at all, since it is an entirely black-and-white camera, taking photographs that match its sleek monochromatic exterior. 

Where some Monochroms have boasted an increase in resolution over their color counterparts (such as the recent Leica M10 Monochrom's 40MP sensor, compared to the 24MP of the regular M10), it seems likely that the new Q2 will pack around the same number of pixels as its full-color sibling.

That means we're looking in the ball park of 47MP, on a full-frame CMOS sensor without color or low pass filters. Since it comes with a fixed Summilux 28mm f/1.7 Asph lens, it will likely offer the cropped digital zoom modes as its stablemate – with 35mm (reduced to 30MP), 500mm (14.7MP) and 75mm (6.6MP) options.

The color Q2 was capable of up to 4K 30p, Cinema 4K 24p or FullHD 120p modes – though since the M10 Monochrom eschewed video, it seems likely that this camera will do the same. 

With the above image already leaked, courtesy of Nokishita, it shouldn't be too long until the full specifications follow…

Read more: 

Hands on: Leica Q2 review
This is the James Bond-themed Leica Q2 007 Limited Edition
Leica M10 Monochrom review

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James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.