Capturing Life in Black and White: Leica Q2 Monochrom Review

Discover the outstanding Leica Q2 Monochrom camera, built to capture the beauty of life in crisp and timeless black and white. This blog post features an in-depth review of the camera's features, capabilities, and benefits, to help you make an informed decision.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Leica Q2 Monochrom article cover photo

Key Features

Mar 07 2019

Announced

47 megapixels

Resolution

BrandLeica
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorCMOS
Weight734g
MSRP$5995USD

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Overview of the Q2 Monochrom

If you're a photography enthusiast, chances are you're already familiar with the reputation of Leica cameras. The Leica Q2 Monochrom is a prime example of the brand's commitment to excellence, featuring a full-frame sensor, fast autofocus, and outstanding 28mm f/1.7 lens. But what sets this camera apart is its ability to capture images in exquisite black and white. In this blog post, we'll explore the Leica Q2 Monochrom's features and why it's a perfect tool for those who appreciate the art of monochrome photography. So, buckle up and join us on this journey of discovering the best camera for black and white photography!

Leica Q2 Monochrom Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Leica Q2 Monochrom camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High-quality monochrome images
Full-frame sensor
Fast autofocus
Advanced manual controls
Robust build quality

Cons

Expensive price tag
No color capabilities
Limited video features
No interchangeable lenses
Slow startup time

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Leica Q2 Monochrom

Weather sealed
Dimensions130 x 80 x 92mm
Weight734g
Thickness92mm
Weight
Min
Avg
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Leica Q2 Monochrom camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the Q2 Monochrom is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution1,040k dots
Body typeLarge sensor compact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,040k dots. This makes the Leica Q2 Monochrom not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Q2 Monochrom includes a electronic viewfinder with 3,680k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.76x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Leica Q2 Monochrom has a 47MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 47 pixels. Leica Q2 Monochrom has a native ISO range of 100 - 100000 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Mar 07 2019

Announced

100 - 100000

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution8368 x 5584 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Leica Q2 Monochrom camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Q2 Monochrom is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Full frame

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life350 shots
Battery ModelBP-SCL4
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Leica Q2 Monochrom supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Leica Q2 Monochrom uses the BP-SCL4 model of battery pack. This is rated for 350 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Leica Q2 Monochrom does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Leica Q2 Monochrom boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Leica Q2 Monochrom includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 49 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Leica Q2 Monochrom?

The Leica Q2 Monochrom features a CMOS sensor

Is the Leica Q2 Monochrom weather sealed?

Yes the Q2 Monochrom does have weather sealing.

When was the Leica Q2 Monochrom announced?

The Leica Q2 Monochrom was announced on Mar 07 2019

Does the Leica Q2 Monochrom have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Q2 Monochrom does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Leica Q2 Monochrom?

The Q2 Monochrom has a native ISO range of 100-100000, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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