Today Leica Camera has announced the new Leica Q (Type 116) camera! A camera that we first told you about back in March with major details following in May is now a reality. We were given early access to this camera by Leica for full testing and review - read all about it in our Hands-on with the Leica Q (Type 116) report! You can also peruse the Leica Q brochure (PDF) and be sure to check out our Leica Q Flickr group, Facebook page and the world's first dedicated Leica Q forum right here.
Reimagining the Photographer’s Everyday Camera, Leica Unveils the Leica Q Today, Bringing Iconic Leica Features to an Innovative New Camera Thanks to High Quality Leica Optics and an Exceptional Feature Set, Photographers Can Now Capture Rich Detailed Imagery Anywhere in a Snap
June 10, 2015 – Yet again refining the way the world takes photographs, Leica Camera unveils the Leica Q today, a trailblazing camera design concept that proudly combines all of the high performance qualities of a full frame sensor in a beautifully designed and highly innovative compact – a milestone for the brand and the photography sector. Equipped with the fastest lens in its class and an interface that makes for easy and intuitive handling, the Q is the perfect instrument for instantly capturing the decisive moments of life and turning them into lasting memories. The Q boasts the ability to shoot full HD video, instantly share content socially via built-in WiFi, and features an extremely fast autofocus, putting the Leica Q into a category of its own.
“We’re very proud to offer the world’s first camera that combines the quality and functionality of our iconic M models, along with the convenience and speed of a super high end compact camera,” said German Product Manager, Peter Kruschewski. “The new Leica Q carries the rich traditions of Leica cameras forward with the high quality features you come to expect from Leica, while also keeping the future in mind by integrating social sharing and cutting-edge specifications. It really is a true Leica, while being an industry trailblazer at the same time.”
The Leica Q combines a high sensitivity full frame sensor with a fast aperture lens and optical image stabilization to give photographers near limitless capabilities. Shooting in any lighting situation is never out of the question when using the Q; whether it is a sun-drenched landscape in the high noon of summer or the dark and shadowy nights of an urban metropolis. The versatility of the Q is augmented by the ability to shoot rapid-fire burst shots that can capture any subject, no matter how fast they move, in any light.
In addition, the new “digital frame selector” function displays the focal lengths of 35 and 50mm at the push of a button, to allow photographers to see focal lengths beyond the fixed 28mm lens. As with a rangefinder camera, photographers utilizing this feature can still see what is going on outside the digital viewfinder’s bright-line frame and can react much faster to changes in and around the subject.
The “Made in Germany” seal of quality for the Leica Q also guarantees that only the finest materials are used in its construction. In traditional Leica style, the top plate is crafted from a solid block of aluminium, the body is made of magnesium alloy, and all lettering and markings on its setting dials are laser-engraved. The thumb rest on the back of the Leica Q and the diamond pattern of the camera’s leathering also ensure ideal grip, and clearly illustrate that form and function still go hand-in-hand at Leica.
More details on exciting new features of the new Leica Q:
The Leica Q, priced at $4,250, is now available at your local Leica Store, Leica Boutique or Leica dealer.
Here are the full specifications of the Leica Q (Type 116) as provided by Leica:
Camera type | Leica Q (Type 116), digital small picture compact camera |
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Picture format/aspect ratio | 24 x 36mm/2:3 |
Lens | Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH, 11 lenses in 9 groups, 3 aspherical lenses |
Digital frame selector (digital zoom) | Selectable approx. 1.25x (corresponding to 35mm) or approx. 1.8x (corresponding to 50mm) |
Image stabilization | Optical compensation system for photo and video recordings |
Aperture range | f/1.7 to f/16 in 1⁄3EV increments |
Picture sensor/resolution | CMOS sensor, 26.3/24.2 million pixels (total/effective) |
Dynamic range | 13 aperture stops |
Color depth | 14 Bit |
Photo capture format | Selectable: DNG + JPEG, JPEG |
DNG/JPEG resolution | 24MP (6000x4000px), 12MP (4272x2848px), 6MP (2976x1984px), 1.7MP (1600x1080px) |
Video recording format | MP4 |
Video resolution/frame rate | Selectable: 1080p with 60fps or 30fps / 720p with 30fps |
Sound recording format | AAC |
Microphone | Stereo |
Loudspeaker | Mono |
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
ISO range | Automatic, ISO 100 to ISO 50,000 |
White balance | Automatic, default settings for: daylight, cloudy, halogen lighting, shadow, electronic flash, two manual settings with measuring, manual color temperature setting |
Color space | Selectable for photos: sRGB, Adobe® RGB, ECI RGB |
Focus/saturation/contrast | Each selectable in 5 steps, for saturation also in B/W |
Focusing working range | 30cm to ∞, with macro setting from 17cm |
Focus modes | Auto focus or manual focus, optional magnification and focus peaking available for manual focus |
Auto focus system | Contrast-based auto focus system |
Auto focus modes | Shutter release only after successful focus lock or at any time, AF setting can be saved |
Auto focus metering methods | 1-field (adjustable), multi-field, face recognition, subject tracking, optional setting/shutter release by touching the monitor |
Exposure modes | Automatic program, aperture priority, shutter speed priority, and manual |
Scene modes | Fully automatic, sport, portrait, landscape, night portrait, snow/beach, candlelight, sunset, digiscoping, miniature effect, panorama, time lapse |
Exposure metering methods | Multi-field, center weighted and spot |
Exposure compensation | ±3EV in 1⁄3EV increments |
Automatic bracketing | Three pictures in graduations of up to 3 EV, can be set in 1⁄3EV increments |
Shutter type | Mechanical and electronic |
Shutter speeds | 30s to 1⁄2000s with mechanical shutter, 1⁄2500s to 1⁄16000s with electronic shutter, in 1⁄3 increments, flash sync up to 1⁄500s |
Continuous shooting | Optional 10/5/3 fps (H/M/L) |
Self-timer | Delay time either 2s or 12s |
Viewfinder | Electronic LCOS display, 1280x960 RGB (3.68MP), aspect ratio: 4:3, adjustable ±3 diopter, with eye sensor |
LCD | 3" TFT LCD monitor with approx. 1,040,000 pixels, touch control possible |
WLAN (WiFi) | Satisfies IEEE 802.11b/g/n standard (standard WLAN protocol), channel 1-11, encryption method: WLAN-compatible WPATM / WPA2TM, access method: infrastructure mode |
NFC | According to JIS X 6319-4 standard / 13.56MHz |
Connections | Micro USB socket (2.0), HDMI socket |
Power supply | Leica BP-DC12, lithium ion battery, rated voltage 7.2V (7.2V D.C.), capacity 1200mAh |
Charger | Leica BC-DC12, input: 100–240 V AC, 50/60Hz, automatic switching, output: 8.4V DC; 0.65A |
Body | Leica design of extremely light magnesium and aluminum, carrying strap eyelets, hotshoe |
Lens filter thread | E49 |
Tripod thread | A 1⁄4 DIN 4503 (1⁄4-20) |
Dimensions | Approx. 130 x 80 x 93mm (WxHxD) |
Weight | Approx. 590/640g (without/with battery) |
Scope of delivery | Camera, carrying strap, lens hood, lens cap, accessory shoe cover, battery (Leica BP-DC12), charger (Leica BC-DC12), power cable (EU, US, local power cable), USB cable |
Software | Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® (free download after registration), Leica Q App for iOS/Android (remote control and picture transfer via Apple® App Store®/Google® Play Store®) |