Meet the Leica Q2 Monochrom. As the name suggests, Leica’s taken one of our favourite compact cameras and given it a similar treatment to the M10 Monochrom.
That means that the new Leica Q2 Monochrom swaps out the 47.3-megapixel full-frame sensor used in the Q2 and has replaced it with a newly developed 47.3-megapixel monochrome sensor.
Compared to the standard Q2, the ISO range is different on the Leica Q2 Monochrom, running from ISO100 to 100,000 compared to 50-50,000. Dynamic range also differs and not for the better, dropping to 13 stops compared to 14 stops on the Q2.
• Read more: Best Leica cameras
While a camera like this might not be your first choice as a video camera, the Leica Q2 Monochrom is capable of capturing 4K video (in mono of course) at frame rates of either 30 or 24fps, while there’s a suite of frame rates up to 120fps when shooting in Full HD.
Sticking to the black and white theme and Leica’s removed any trace of colour on the body of the Q2 Monochrom, so don’t expect to see that famous red dot badge adorning the camera. The rest of the design though is identical to the Q2, with a gorgeously stylish look. It’s also protected from the elements with seals to keep out dust and water spray.
• Read Leica Q2 Monochrom review
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Elsewhere and the Q2 Monochrom enjoys many of the same features as the standard Q2. This includes the same Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens, while there’s the same 0.5-inch OLED electronic viewfinder with an impressive resolution of 3.68 million dots. Round the back and there’s a 3.0-inch touchscreen display with a good but not impressive resolution of 1.04-million dots.
There’s also the same focusing system as the Q2, with the 49-point area AF promising focusing speeds as quick as 0.15 seconds. While the Leica Q2 Monochrom is designed for a more considered shooting approach, the Maestro II image processor delivers a burst shooting speed of up to 10fps with a mechanical shutter.
If that’s got you excited, then you better have deep pockets. Available now, the Leica Q2 Monochrom will set you back a cool $5,995 / £4,995 / AU$8,990 – that's $1,000 more than the standard camera in the US and Australia, and some £495 more in the United Kingdom!
Read more:
Hands on: Leica Q2 review
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Leica M10 Monochrom review
