Leica Q2 Monochrom (Type No. 4889) Digital Camera, (Matte) Black Paint Finish {47.3MP} 19055

Leica Q2 Monochrom: 47.3MP full-frame black-and-white in a fixed-lens compact.

The Q2 Monochrom pairs a 47.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor with a fixed 28mm f/1.7 Summilux lens, and the sensor records nothing but black-and-white. No Bayer filter, no color interpolation. Every pixel contributes directly to luminance, which means the files carry tonal depth and resolving power that color-converted monochrome files simply don't match. At ISO 100,000 native, grain sits in the image than obscuring it. The electronic shutter reaches 1/40,000s, and optical image stabilization is built into the lens itself.

At 130 x 80mm and 734g with battery, this is a camera you carry without negotiating. The 3.68-million-dot OLED viewfinder gives you a clear read on tonal relationships before the shot. Raw output is 14-bit DNG, and digital crop modes extend the effective focal length while still drawing from a 47.3MP base. The macro focus range closes to 17cm, which opens the lens to close-detail work that a 28mm typically can't reach. Burst shooting runs to 10 fps at full resolution. The Q2 Monochrom is a deliberate tool built around one photographic decision made in advance: everything is black and white, and the hardware is designed around that commitment.

Who It's For

Street photographers get a 28mm f/1.7 with OIS and a sensor tuned specifically for tonal gradation across shadows and midtones, which is the kind of rendering that suits available-light documentary work. Landscape and fine art photographers shooting for large-format print will find that 47.3MP of dedicated monochrome data holds up under heavy cropping and output enlargement. Reportage photographers benefit from 10 fps burst shooting and ISO 100,000 native sensitivity without a color workflow in post. Close-up and still-life shooters gain access to 17cm macro focus range at f/1.7, producing subject-to-background separation that a longer macro rarely replicates at this field of view.

Key Features

• 47.3MP full-frame monochrome CMOS sensor with no Bayer filter
• Fixed Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 lens with integrated optical stabilization
• 14-bit DNG raw output with direct luminance recording
• Electronic shutter to 1/40,000s and mechanical shutter to 1/2,000s
• 3.68-megapixel OLED viewfinder with 100% coverage
• Macro focus range closes to 17cm; digital crop modes extend to 2.7x
• 10 fps continuous shooting at full resolution
• DCI 4K video at 23.98 fps; native ISO 100–100,000

FAQ

Why would I choose monochrome over a color sensor I can convert in post?

The Q2 Monochrom has no Bayer filter and no color interpolation. Every pixel on the 47.3MP sensor records luminance directly, so you get tonal separation and detail density that color conversion can't match. Grain integrates into the image rather than replacing lost color data.

What's the practical focal length range with digital crop?

The fixed 28mm becomes 35mm and 75mm equivalent at 1.3x and 2.7x digital crop respectively, while still pulling from the full 47.3MP resolution. You don't lose resolution until you actually need to extend the frame.

Can this shoot close-up work?

Yes. Macro mode closes the focus range to 17cm, which is usable for texture, film grain, and small objects. A standard 28mm can't typically do that work, so this is a real functional shift in the lens.

How does 10 fps burst perform in real shooting?

At full 47.3MP resolution with a 3.68-megapixel OLED viewfinder, 10 fps is solid for moment-capture work. Buffer depth depends on card write speed, but UHS-II SD cards handle DNG output without stuttering.

What raw file format does it use?

14-bit DNG. This is Adobe's standard uncompressed raw, which means straight compatibility with Lightroom, Capture One, and any serious editing software.

Is the electronic shutter silent for street work?

The electronic shutter runs to 1/40,000s and produces no mechanical noise. The mechanical shutter (1/2000s top speed) is the fallback for flash sync and ambient light control.

How stable is the lens without a tripod?

The 28mm Summilux carries integrated optical stabilization. At f/1.7, you can hold 1/15s handheld in good light without shake. Slower shutter speeds in dim light benefit from the stabilization, though a tripod is still your anchor.