Leica Q2 (Type No. 4889) Digital Camera, Black Paint {47.3MP} 19051 (Version ROW)

Leica Q2: 47.3MP full-frame compact with fixed Summilux glass.

The Q2 pairs a 47.3MP BSI CMOS full-frame sensor with a fixed 28mm f/1.7 Summilux lens in a body that weighs 734g and carries IP52 weather sealing. That combination is still rare in a carry-everywhere compact. The Summilux is optically stabilized, focuses down to 17cm in macro mode, and renders out-of-focus areas with a smoothness that wider lenses rarely achieve. A 1/40,000 sec electronic shutter gives you the latitude to shoot at f/1.7 in direct sun without reaching for a filter.

The crop mode system is one of the Q2's more practical features. Digital zoom frames at 35mm, 50mm, and 75mm equivalents pull from the 47.3MP file, so the 35mm crop still delivers a 4,800 x 3,200 pixel image with genuine resolving power. In practice, this makes the camera feel like four focal lengths in one body. The 3.68-million-dot EVF gives you a sharp, 100%-coverage view regardless of which crop you're working in.

At 20 fps continuous shooting and an ISO ceiling of 50000, the Q2 handles fast-moving documentary moments and low-light work with equal confidence. The manual focus clutch on the lens barrel snaps between AF and manual modes without diving into a menu, and focus peaking with magnification assists make precise manual work fast enough to use in the field. For a fixed-lens camera, it asks remarkably little of you operationally.

Who It's For

Street photographers working in tight spaces benefit from the 28mm field of view and f/1.7 aperture, which gather enough light to shoot without flash through ISO 50000. Travel photographers who refuse to carry a bag full of glass get four effective focal lengths from a single body through the crop mode system. Documentary shooters who need weather resistance without bulk will find the IP52 sealing and 350-shot battery life practical on long days. Portrait photographers shooting environmental work at closer distances gain access to a macro focus range of 17cm, giving the Summilux genuine close-focus versatility.

Key Features

• 47.3MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor with 49 AF points
• Fixed 28mm f/1.7 Summilux lens with optical stabilization
• Electronic shutter to 1/40,000 sec, mechanical to 1/2,000 sec
• 20 fps continuous shooting, ISO 50-50,000
• 3.68M-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage
• IP52 weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, 734g
• Digital crop modes at 35mm, 50mm, 75mm equivalents
• 4K/30p and 1080/120p video with stereo audio

FAQ

How does the crop mode system work, and do you lose resolution?

The Q2 pulls digital crops from the 47.3MP sensor at 35mm, 50mm, and 75mm equivalents. The 35mm crop delivers 4,800 x 3,200 pixels, so you retain genuine resolving power instead of throwing away data. In practice, it makes one camera feel like four focal lengths.

Can you shoot f/1.7 in bright sunlight without filters?

Yes. The electronic shutter goes to 1/40,000 sec, which gives you enough shutter speed to shoot the Summilux wide-open in direct sun without reaching for an ND filter.

How fast is autofocus, and what about manual focus?

Single-shot AF is fast enough for most work, though not instant. The manual focus clutch on the lens barrel snaps between AF and manual modes without menu diving, and focus peaking with magnification makes field work feasible. The focus system is contrast-detection-based and settles without much hunting.

What's the macro mode, and how does it work?

Turn the ring nearest the body to MACRO and the lens focuses as close as 17cm instead of 30cm. The aperture won't open beyond f/2.8 in macro mode to control aberrations. Make sure you're all the way at the MACRO position, not partway between settings.

Does the 28mm focal length limit what you can shoot?

It's wider than the 35mm you get on competitors like the Sony RX1R II or Fujifilm X100F, so you'll frame differently. The crop modes help offset this by giving you narrower framing options (35mm, 50mm, 75mm equiv) without changing lenses, though the crops use the digital zoom feature.

What's the viewfinder like?

The electronic viewfinder is 3.68 million dots with 100% coverage and 0.76x magnification. It's sharp and responsive regardless of which crop mode you're using.

How does weather sealing hold up?

IP52 rating means it resists splash and dust in real-world use, not submersion. Built-in sealed construction makes it practical for travel and unpredictable conditions.