Leica Q2 Official Announcement:
The Leica Q2 has been officially announced! The price is $4,995, and here are some of the key specs:
- 47.3 MP Full Frame CMOS sensor
- Maestro II Image Processor
- Summilux 28mm f1.7 ASPH lens
- 3.68 OLED EVF
- 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Touchscreen LCD
- DCI 4K24p, UHD 4K30p, Full HD 120p Video
- ISO 50-50000, up to 10-fps Shooting
- 35mm, 50mm, and 75mm Crop Modes
- Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi
- Weather sealed
You can already pre-order it at:
This is very exciting, at least to me :). I absolutely loved the Leica Q, and I wrote a review a while back for those interested. It is one of my favorite cameras…only wish was a different focal length as its main lens. I’ll be interested to see how the new Q2 measures up. My guess is, some of the features, like the new sensor, will probably make it into the new SL2 whenever that comes out. I hope :).
What do all of you think? Is it worth it? Were you waiting for one? Let me know what you think in the comments. Thanks for stopping by!
You can find more info on the Q2 from Leica’s official page as well.
Patrick,
I was quite surprised by this Leica announcement of the Q2 & hope that you might get one to review. I had one of the Q’s when it first came out & it was an amazing camera with the best EVF I have ever used plus its outstanding Summilux 28mm f1.7 lens. My hope was that they might create an ILC version, which was why I eventually switched over to the Fuji X-Pro 1 & 2 for that capability. And now if I could afford to buy the Q2 for its larger sensor, I think I would still prefer to have the Fuji GFX-50R instead. Fuji colors are also something I just prefer over Leica, not because they are better – just different. But I’m glad to see that Leica has done this for those folks that don’t mind cropping, which I begrudgingly did quite a lot with my Q.
Jed
Hi Jed,
I’m hoping to get a Q2 in to review but I also need to find the time lol. Cropping is okay but I’d still love to see a Q with a 50mm lens.
Best,
Patrick
Hey Patrick,
Time flies! Remember the first time they announced the Q? We both said If only it was the 50mm in there! I guess with 47MP the cropping to get the 50mm look will be better.
Dane
Hi Dane,
Time does fly :). I still wish they made a Q with a 50mm. Yeah, I know there’s plenty to crop but still lol :).
Best,
Patrick
Haha, most of the reviews of the first Q is that they all hated the fact that they did so much cropping.
Lol, the Q is seriously one of my favorite cameras; I’m just not a fan of the 28mm focal length. I also wouldn’t get it just to crop the images all the time…There is only one 28mm that for some weird reason, works well with me: the 28mm Summaron ;).
Patrick,
As noted by you & the other commenters, the choice of the lens for the Q was really not a very popular one. In my case, primarily for compositional reasons, I ended up cropping to somewhere between 35mm & 50mm most of the time I shot with my Q. Now with the bigger sensor but same lens, you will still end up needing to crop just as much, but simply end up throwing away fewer pixels in the process. It seems to me that Leica would have a more popular Q2 with the same size sensor as before (24MP in full frame is quite enough for me), but with either a 35mm or 50mm f1.7 Summilux lens. And like Fuji with its new X-T3, maybe even be able to offer it for less cost than the original Q. Possibly though it really is, in part, a test bed for features to be offered with a new SL (e.g., the EVF, new processor, weather proofing, etc.).
Jed
Hi Jed!
I don’t even know what I’m looking for in terms of improvement with the SL2. I’m currently very happy with the SL. I’ve taken more frames with this digital camera than any other I’ve ever owned by far. It has been extremely reliable; it’s actually been a bit more reliable than even my X-T3 (I’ve noticed recently my X-T3 freezing sometimes when I am using a wireless transmitter). I do multiple shoots per week, which translates into thousands of shots per week without even a hiccup. The current SL already has extreme weather proofing. There was even a video where a pitcher of water was poured on it. Plus, the SL’s EVF is still higher in MP than the Q2’s, and while I still haven’t tested the new Panasonic, the SL’s EVF overall is still tops for me. I’m definitely going to buy the new SL but I think it’s more gear acquisition syndrome than an actual need lol. I only need one camera, so I will be trading in my current SL but I will miss it. I’ve definitely bonded with it. It’s such a workhorse, and I just love the images from it.
As for the Q2, I think Leica has another winner here because the Q was a very popular model. From what I heard, it was selling well even near the end of its run. I think they should definitely experiment with a 35mm and 50mm version though; maybe have three versions available :). Have a great day, Jed!
Best,
Patrick
I’m quite excited about this camera. I’m trading in my fujifilm gear to try use just this camera and see how I like it for a year. I think having all the lenses I’ve had so far as an amateur complicated things so I’m looking forward to checking this out to simplify my kit. As an amateur and somebody that got into photography from my cell phone I think the 28mm focal length won’t be as big a deal especially since I’ve been using a similar focal length all these years on my iphone.
Thanks as always for your posts I always enjoy reading them, especially the billingham reviews 😉
It’s refreshing to read your comment because it’s exactly how I feel as well: more lenses can definitely complicate things, and in the end, you may actually lose some of the good shots because you’re fussing with gear…at least that’s from my experience. If I’m not reviewing something, most of the time, I stick with a 50mm. I do a lot more portrait and boudoir these days, so I may grab a 90mm but honestly, the 50mm is what I use most even if I have the space for the 90mm.
The Q2 does sound like a perfect fit for you, especially since you’re used to the iPhone’s lens. The first Q was a fantastic camera…it still is but I imagine the Q2 is going to be simply stellar. I’m hoping to review one soon :).
I greatly appreciate you always coming by, and thanks for the very kind words! There are still a few Billingham bags I haven’t reviewed, so I’ll get a few more in to test :).
Best,
Patrick
Thanks and yeah I feel like if I were a professional then I’d definitely be able to justify the need for more lenses. Since it would be determined on a case by case basis. What happened to me often was before I’d travel I’d wonder what lens to bring with me. The xf16 1.4 and 23 1.4 were definitely my favorites. On the bright side from my photography journey so far I was able to determine that I prefer primes (less choices).
Knowing myself though my biggest fear is that I’m gonna get the Q2 and love it so much that I end up saving for the m lineup 🙈 but hey I guess this hobby should also be fun as well 😅
You’re most welcome! Thanks for making the great content. I look forward to your opinions on the Q2 and all the billinghams lol 😃
I always say, shoot the way that you’re most comfortable. If it’s 10 lenses, then do it; if it’s just one, do that. Personally, I find more lenses just a hassle. I had a shoot the other day, and I thought I’d try out a few different lenses. I did it for a while but at the end, I just stuck with one, and I feel like I got better shots because of that decision :).
As for primes…they are better :). Zooms can be convenient but if you ask me, nothing beats a decent prime.
I haven’t had a chance to use the Q2 extensively yet but if it’s anything like the original Q, I imagine it’ll be a very stellar camera :). You might just have to prepare to invest in that M system haha.
Let me know how that Q2 works out for you, if you end up getting one! Apologies for the late reply btw. I got back from vacation, and have just been very busy. Appreciate you stopping by, and I hope to hear from you soon!
Best,
Patrick
No worries apologies from me as well for replying late also.
Great points all around I think the zooms I’d go for are just too big (the 2.8s). It would end up not helping my motivation to shoot
The Q2 ended up being awesome! I really love it, it was a great purchase and it’s simplified my photography so much. Like now no matter where I go I can just wear it across my body. I love eating at restaurants and sometimes I feel like it’s not the best at really dim light. I’m still working on that piece, although it could be user error
Now that the Sl2 is out I’m thinking about getting it in maybe 2021 as I have a wedding to plan next year 😅😂
Hi Cheekz4dayz!
Good to hear from you as always. There are a lot of great zooms out there these days. I say try them all out even the slower ones :). I’m hoping to get the Fuji XF 16-80mm next to review.
Glad to hear you’ve been enjoying the Q2! I love the Qs in general, and I’ve always wanted to purchase one myself. The image quality is superb, it’s easy to use, and it’s built well yet it’s something that is compact enough where you never have to leave it at home. I prefer it over the M system.
Right now though, I’m still waiting for my SL2 to arrive. I pre-ordered mine two years ago at my camera dealer :). I can’t wait although I’ll really miss my SL. I shot with it so much…probably more than all the digital cameras I’ve ever owned combined.
Best,
Patrick
No worries at all! I always enjoy your posts 😊
Re: SL and being sad to see it go. I kind of went through a similar feeling when I sold my xt-2. It was sentimental and I really enjoyed all that gear but I just couldn’t justify keeping my fuji gear while also splurging on the Q2. I hope you end up enjoying the SL2 a lot more as I think that can help fill the void the SL will leave
Thanks, much appreciate it!
I actually got my SL2 last week, and let’s just say it has definitely filled the SL’s void lol ;). I did a full day shoot with it recently, and I LOVE it. I’m doing another shoot tomorrow, and I have one scheduled for Tuesday :). I still miss my SL but maybe not as much as I did before haha. As for your X-T2, I totally understand. I loved the SL but can’t justify having both. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a great weekend!
Best,
Patrick