Allendale, NJ—The Leica Q high-end, point-and-shoot camera combines the performance qualities of a full-frame sensor with a compact form factor and one of fastest lenses in its class. With an interface designed to make operation easy and intuitive, the Q shoots Full HD video that can be shared socially via built-in Wi-Fi.
Designed for street, architectural and landscape photography, the German-made Q features a 24 megapixel (MP), full-frame CMOS sensor matched to its high-speed, classic-focal-length prime lens. The Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 Asph lens is engineered for available-light situations and has an angle of view that reproduces scenes with natural perspectives and proportions.
The sensor/lens combination and optical image stabilization deliver detailed exposures with extremely low noise at ISO sensitivities up to 50,000. And Leica says the Q has the fastest autofocus in the compact, full-frame camera class. Add to that the newly developed processor from the Leica Maestro II series that is rated for continuous, full-resolution shooting at a rate of 10 frames per second.
“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.”
Users can switch between macro, automatic and manual focusing, and the new “digital frame selector” function displays the focal lengths of 35mm and 50mm at the push of a button, allowing photographers to see focal lengths beyond the fixed 28mm lens. As with a rangefinder camera, this feature enables photographers to see what’s going on outside the digital viewfinder’s bright-line frame and can react faster to changes around the subject.
In manual focusing mode, live view offers two electronic focusing aids: focus peaking, which shows points in the subject that are sharply focused by colored highlighting of the edges; and live view zoom, which simultaneously lets the photographer check the sharply focused parts of the scene with up to sixfold magnification.
Other features include: an integrated 3.68MP electronic viewfinder; conveniently placed controls; a touch screen that can be used to select a focus point with a fingertip; the ability to save a JPEG file of an image in the selected framing and a RAW DNG-format file of the entire field captured by the 28mm lens; Full HD video recording at a choice of 30 or 60 frames per second in the MP4 format; a wind-noise filter; and a Wi-Fi module for wireless transfer of still pictures and video to other devices. A free dedicated app also allows users to remotely control settings such as aperture and shutter speed from their smartphone or tablet.
In traditional Leica style, the camera’s top plate is crafted from a solid block of aluminum, 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 are there to ensure an ideal grip.
The Leica Q, which comes with a free downloadable version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6, is priced at $4,250. us.leica-camera.com
