Leica Q (Typ 116) Digital Camera, Black Anodized {24.2MP} 19000

Leica Q Typ 116: full-frame 28mm in a coat pocket

The Q pairs a 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor with a fixed Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens, a 11-element optical design that Leica spent years refining before integrating it into a body this compact. At f/1.7, you get genuine subject separation at a focal length most photographers associate with environmental work, not shallow depth of field. The Maestro II processor keeps pace with 10 fps continuous shooting and pushes usable ISO to 50000, giving the camera real low-light credentials that most fixed-lens compacts can't match.

The electronic shutter tops out at 1/16000s, which means shooting wide open in bright conditions without a filter. The 3,680,000-dot EVF with 100% coverage brings the shooting experience closer to a rangefinder than a point-and-shoot, with diopter adjustment from -3 to +3. Raw files come out as 14-bit DNG, so post-processing latitude is what you'd expect from a full-frame system camera. For a compact that fits in a jacket pocket, the Q asks you to commit to 28mm, and rewards that commitment with a level of image quality that has kept it in working photographers' bags for years.

Who It's For

Street and documentary photographers who want full-frame files without a system camera's bulk will find the 28mm f/1.7 focal length and 24.2MP sensor a productive combination for close-proximity work in mixed light. Travel shooters benefit from the electronic shutter's 1/16000s ceiling, which keeps the lens wide open midday without filtration. Low-light event and reportage work becomes viable at ISO 50000 with 10 fps available for decisive-moment sequences. Photographers who prefer a fixed prime's discipline over zoom flexibility, and who shoot DNG for the editing latitude, will get the most from what this camera offers.

Key Features

• 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor with Maestro II processor
• Fixed Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens, 11 elements in 9 groups
• Electronic shutter up to 1/16000s, mechanical to 1/2000s
• ISO 100–50000 at 10 fps continuous shooting
• 3.68-megapixel EVF with 100% coverage and diopter adjustment -3 to +3
• 14-bit DNG raw capture for post-processing latitude
• Macro focus to 6.69 inches with 1.8x digital zoom

FAQ

What's the autofocus system like on the Q?

The Q uses contrast-detect autofocus across the full frame, which pairs well with the fixed 28mm lens - no hunting between focal lengths. In good light it's snappy; in low light it slows down but rarely hunts wildly.

Can you shoot wide open without stopping down in bright sun?

Yes. The electronic shutter reaches 1/16000s, so at f/1.7 in daylight you're not forced to use an ND filter - a real advantage over mechanical shutters that top out at 1/2000s.

Is 28mm too limiting for a fixed-lens camera?

Depends on your work. For environmental portraiture, street, and photojournalism it's ideal. The 1.8x digital zoom gets you to 50mm equivalent in a pinch, but you're buying into the 28mm commitment - and the Q rewards that with optics and sensor integration that justify it.

How does the Maestro II processor affect real-world performance?

It pushes usable ISO to 50000 and enables 10 fps burst without the noise and color shifts you'd see from competing full-frame compacts at that sensitivity. Raw processing latitude is full-frame standard - 14-bit DNG gives you real post-production room.

What's the viewfinder experience like?

The 3.68-megapixel EVF with 100% frame coverage and -3 to +3 diopter adjustment is more rangefinder-like than typical compact viewfinders - you actually see what you're shooting, not a cropped preview. Refresh is clean and lag is minimal.

Does the Q have any video capability?

No - it's stills-only. Leica built this as a photographer's compact, not a hybrid tool.