Leica has pulled the covers off what could be the year’s most exciting camera. The Q2 is a compact full-frame camera that pairs a monster 47-megapixel sensor with a fixed Leica Summilux 28 mm f/1.7 ASPH lens.
The Q2 replaces the original 24-megapixel Leica Q and sees a number of improvements, including an upgraded OLED viewfinder with a resolution of 3.68 megapixels along with a revamped autofocus system that Leica says can lock on to subjects in just 0.15 seconds. The fast AF is complimented by a speedy burst rate as the Maestro II processor engine means the Q2 is capable of shooting 10 frames per second (FPS).
It’s hard to believe such a beefy sensor – which produces a huge max file size of 8368×5584 pixels – could fit in a camera that tips the scales at 718g and measures just 130 mm x 80 mm x 91.9 mm. The cool retro design is ultra stylish and the Q2 is weather-sealed, making it suitable for use when the rain starts to fall.
The 28mm lens – which will be suitable for everything from landscapes to street photography and travel imagery – boasts an ultra fast maximum aperture of f/1.7, enabling fast shutter speeds in low light conditions. What’s more, the Q2 also offers a crop factor mode to simulate exposures made with focal lengths of 35mm, 50mm or 75mm. Leica explains the selected crop is displayed as a bright-line frame in the viewfinder and on the 3-inch touch-sensitive LCD.
There’s also a top ISO ceiling of ISO 50000, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and the Q2 has plenty for videographers as this compact camera can capture 4K movies up to 30p or Full HD up to 60p, along with a Full HD 120p fast frame rate to create slow motion footage.
So what does all this cutting edge tech (and that famous red dot) cost? Well, you may need to start saving as the Leica Q2 will be priced at £4,250 / $4,995 when it’s released later in March.