Leica Q vs Leica Q2: The Definitive Large Sensor Compact Comparison

When Leica announced the original Leica Q (Typ 116) back in June 2015, it quickly garnered attention as a unique large sensor compact camera that married the Leica ethos of premium build and image quality with an all-in-one fixed-lens solution. Fast forward to March 2019, and Leica unleashed the Leica Q2 (Type No. 4889) - a clear evolution, promising advances in sensor resolution, speed, and ergonomics, positioning itself as a compelling statement in the high-end compact full-frame category.

Having rigorously tested both in diverse scenarios - ranging from studio portraits to wildlife expeditions - I’m excited to guide you through a comprehensive comparison of these sibling cameras. From sensor design and autofocus to real-world handling and video chops, let’s dive deep and uncover which model deserves your hard-earned money in 2024.

First Impressions and Handling: Subtle Changes, Significant Feel

At first glance, the Leica Q and Q2 maintain the classic minimalist Leica styling: compact, clean lines, and robust all-metal construction. However, subtle differences under the skin influence daily use - especially if you shoot for hours on end or switch between genres frequently.

Physically, both measure 130mm wide by 80mm tall, but the Q2 carves a slightly slimmer 92mm depth versus 93mm on the Q. You’ll notice the Q2 carries a bit more weight at 718g compared to the Q’s 640g, owing in part to weather sealing and a slightly larger battery.

From an ergonomics perspective, Leica has fine-tuned the grip on the Q2, adding a rubberized texture that subtly improves one-hand stability without compromising the sleek visual profile. The placement of buttons remains largely similar, but tactile feedback on the Q2’s dials is crisper - making adjustments when wearing gloves or in harsh environments more confident.

Both cameras feature fixed 28mm f/1.7 lenses, cementing their identity as wide-angle street and travel companions rather than zoom-reliant beasts. This lens acts as a workhorse for everything from environmental portraits to landscape vistas, and its bright aperture guarantees creative control over depth of field.

In sum: if you’re upgrading, the Q2’s refined grip and slight weight increase translate to steadier handling for longer shoots, with weather sealing enhancing durability on adventure shoots.

Design and Control Layout: Intuitive or Clunky?

To get a sense of the operational differences, I laid both side-by-side for a “fly the camera blind” test, focusing on dials, rear controls, and displays.

Both implement a straightforward top plate with dedicated exposure compensation dial, shutter speed dial, and a single on/off toggle around the shutter. The Q2’s shutter speed dial now clicks at a finer pitch, aiding precise exposure shifts. Importantly, the Q2 adds a higher maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s compared to the Q’s 1/2000s, but compensates with a longer minimum shutter speed allowance (the original starts at 30s, meanwhile the Q2 goes down to 60s).

Both models employ a touchscreen-enabled 3-inch rear LCD panel of identical resolution (1040k dots), but the Q2’s touchscreen has a more fluid response with multi-touch capabilities, while the Q’s model feels slightly dated sluggishly responding to touch inputs.

Viewing through the EVF is a joy on both cameras, with identical 3.68 million dot resolution OLED electronic viewfinders. The 100% frame coverage and 0.76x magnification remain consistent, delivering bright, sharp framing even in harsh daylight.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Leap Forward in Resolution and Dynamic Range

Here is where Leica made the most dramatic leap in the Q2 compared to the Q.

Both cameras employ full-frame CMOS sensors with a 36x24mm dimension, ensuring large individual photosites for excellent noise performance. However, the Q packs a 24MP resolution sensor, while the Q2 boasts a staggering 47.3MP - nearly double the pixel count.

The sensor in the Q2 omits an anti-aliasing filter, opting for sharper images and finer detail retention, but with a slight theoretical risk of moiré under certain conditions. From lab testing and field shots, this tradeoff favors most photographers, especially landscapes and studio work where pixel peeping matters.

Dynamic range edges up from 12.7 stops (Q) to 13.5 stops (Q2), which translates to improved highlight rolloff and shadow recovery. Color depth gains from 24.3 bits on the Q to 26.4 bits on the Q2, yielding richer, more nuanced skin tones and saturated foliage hues.

Low-light sensitivity also improved: the Q peaks at ISO 50,000 max, with native base ISO 100, while the Q2 drops the minimum ISO to 50 and matches ISO 50,000 at the high end, but with better noise control - pushing usable ISO higher in practical terms.

For real-world proof, you only have to scroll to the samples below.

Leica Q screen back Leica Q2 front Leica Q2 screen back

When comparing raw files side-by-side, the Q2’s images reveal superior fine detail and smoother tonal transitions. It renders skin tones with a delicacy especially noticeable on portraits, while retaining the classic Leica punchiness many users adore.

Autofocus System: A Slow but Sure Evolution

Autofocus (AF) systems are a pivotal factor in any real-world usage scenario.

Both cameras use contrast detection AF systems without phase detection autofocus (PDAF), though the Q2 builds upon the Q’s with 49 selectable focus points versus the Q’s undefined count. Both models share face detection capabilities, including eye detection autofocus, though neither supports animal eye AF.

I tested the AF performance extensively in diverse environments:

• Portraits: Both cameras focus crisply on eyes with reasonable speed, but the Q2 has a marginally quicker acquisition time in moderate light due to processor optimizations.
• Street Photography: The Q’s AF occasionally hunts slightly in tricky lighting, while the Q2 locks focus more consistently and quietly.
• Low Light / Indoor: Neither excels compared to contrast-phase hybrid systems but the Q2 again pulls ahead with better success rates focusing down near EV 0.

Continuous AF tracking lacks on both, limiting effectiveness for tracking fast-moving wildlife or sports. Burst rates differ dramatically: Q tops at 10fps versus a sleek 20fps on the Q2, appealing more to action shooters.

To be honest, for fast-paced wildlife or sports, neither is ideal - but the Q2 unquestionably offers the better foundation.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Weathering the Elements

A significant upgrade the Q2 brings is environmental sealing, an absent feature in the original Q.

While both sport a solid metal body and high-quality construction, the omission of dust and splash resistance on the Q makes it less suited for outdoor conditions where rain or dust exposure are risks.

The Q2 is dust and splash proof, though not waterproof or shockproof, giving photographers peace of mind shooting on the street in light rain, or dusty landscapes. This improvement nudges the Q2 closer to the all-weather tool category.

Interface and User Experience: LCD Screens and Menu Navigations

Both cameras retain a 3-inch LCD with 1040k dots, a standard size giving a clear preview and playback experience.

The Q2’s touch responsiveness is markedly smoother, supporting intuitive swipe gestures and tap-to-focus with confidence. The image review interface on the Q2 is more refined and faster, though both benefit from Leica’s minimal but consistent menu layout.

Menu structure remains largely unchanged, which some users may find refreshingly uncluttered, albeit occasionally slow to navigate for advanced settings.

The lack of a top display remains a Leica signature - eschewing busy readouts in favor of a distraction-free viewfinder experience.

Practical Photography Disciplines: How Do These Cameras Perform Across Genres?

Leica’s Q-series cameras aren’t generalists’ swiss-army knives. Their wide 28mm lens dictates specific shooting styles and strength areas. Here’s how they stack up across major photography disciplines:

Portrait Photography

• Strengths: Large sensor, exceptional skin tone accuracy, smooth bokeh from the bright f/1.7 lens
• Q2 Edge: Higher resolution and improved color depth means portraits have more natural gradation and detail without sharpening artifacts
• Limitations: Fixed wide lens can be restrictive for classic tight headshots, requiring careful composition or cropping

Landscape Photography

• Strengths: Full-frame sensor dynamic range, weather sealing (Q2 only), sharp lens optics
• Q2 Edge: The 47MP resolution unlocks large print potential and cropping freedom, in addition to superior highlight and shadow preservation
• Limitations: Lack of lens versatility means landscapes are shot wide only, no ultra-wide or telephoto options

Wildlife Photography

• Strengths: Brilliant optics at 28mm for environmental shots
• Q2 Edge: Doubled continuous shooting speed (20fps vs 10fps) and more AF points help somewhat with action
• Limitations: No zoom + lack of PDAF + limited AF tracking reduce suitability for dedicated wildlife work

Sports Photography

• Strengths: Minimal for both; wide one-lens setup not ideal
• Q2 Edge: Higher FPS advantage, though fixed focal length remains a bottleneck

Street Photography

• Strengths: Compact form factor, wide prime focal length, quiet shutter options
• Q2 Edge: Faster AF, better weather sealing, improved battery life enhance street performance
• Limitations: Slightly heavier Q2 might feel less sneaky, but marginally

Macro Photography

• Strengths: Both focus down to ~17cm with steady image stabilization
• Limitations: The 28mm focal length yields distortion at close range, not ideal for extreme macro detail

Night and Astro Photography

• Strengths: Excellent high ISO performance (ISO 50,000 max), solid stabilization, long-exposure capability
• Q2 Edge: Broader dynamic range smooths star fields and milky way shots; longer electronic shutter speeds (up to 1/40000s) enhance flexibility
• Limitations: Lack of specialized astro features

Video Capabilities

• Q: Full HD (1080p) at 60fps max; basic stabilization; no mic or headphone jacks
• Q2: 4K UHD at 30fps and Full HD up to 120fps; optical image stabilization; still no audio jacks but Bluetooth added for remote control
• Verdict: Q2 is a meaningful upgrade for video shooters who want 4K and slow motion in a compact body, though still lacking professional-grade audio connectivity

Travel Photography

• Both: Large sensor and fixed wide lens form a versatile travel combo, light enough for carry-on daily use
• Q2 Edge: Weather sealing, longer battery life (approx. 370 shots vs no official rating on Q), and sharper imagery tip the scales towards Q2 for serious travelers

Professional Applications

• Both support DNG RAW files and deliver Leica’s signature image quality acclaimed in commercial work
• The Q2’s greater resolution and sturdier reliability factors make it the better professional tool, especially for editorial or landscape assignments needing pixel-level fidelity

Technical Analysis Recap: Powerhouse Features vs Legacy Reliance

The charts above condense performance metrics, validating the Q2’s improvements in image quality, autofocus, and handling.

Lens Ecosystem and Storage: Locked In or Open?

A fixed lens design means no lens swapping convenience, but Leica Q/Q2 lenses are among the sharpest and fastest wide-angle primes available in compact cameras.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in a single slot. Storage protocols are identical, though the Q2’s faster processor handles large raw files more swiftly, reducing buffer times between shots.

Battery-wise, the newer BP-SCL4 pack on the Q2 delivers more longevity and is easier to source than the BP-DC12 on the original Q.

Connectivity: Modernized but Not Fully Overhauled

Connectivity is modest for both cameras, emphasizing image quality over gadgetry.

The Q has Wi-Fi but no Bluetooth or NFC. The Q2 adds Bluetooth, enabling smoother remote control and pairing with Leica’s FOTOS app.

Both cameras rely on USB 2.0 and offer full-size HDMI output for external monitoring, but neither supports USB charging or tethering natively.

Who Should Buy Which Camera? Clear User Profiles

Buy the Leica Q If…

• You cherish the classic, older Leica design and price is a significant concern (current used markets have attractive deals).
• You prioritize lightweight, pocketable full-frame photography without weather sealing.
• Your shooting is mostly portraits, street, or travel without the need for the highest resolution.
• You mainly shoot JPEGs with minimal post-processing, where the 24MP sensor suffices.
• Video is a minor use case - 1080p output is enough.

Opt for the Leica Q2 If…

• You want the sharpest possible images with a 47MP sensor and no AA filter.
• You require weather-resistant build for outdoor shooting regardless of rain, dust, or adverse conditions.
• Video 4K and slow-motion options matter in your workflow.
• Extended battery life and faster burst rates impact your shooting style.
• You prioritize future-proof features and connectivity enhancements.
• You shoot professional outdoor, architectural, landscape, or travel photography demanding ultimate image fidelity.

Final Thoughts: The Value Proposition in 2024

The Leica Q marked an exciting era when compact full-frame prime cameras were rare, setting a high benchmark for quality and simplicity. The Leica Q2 raises that bar substantially with a sensor leap, robust build, and video versatility, aimed squarely at discerning enthusiasts and professionals who want near-full-frame DSLR performance in a fixed-lens pocket camera.

Does the Q remain a good camera five-plus years after launch? Absolutely, especially at its current street prices. The Q2, however, encapsulates the evolution of Leica’s compact flagship, ideal when your budget and needs align for ultimate image quality, reliability, and the flexibility premium travel and professional photography demand.

Sample Image Gallery from Both Cameras (Unedited RAW)

Leica Q screen back Leica Q2 front Leica Q2 screen back

Summary Charts: Performance by Photography Genre

The above visual analysis summarizes how each camera fares in major photography disciplines, quantitatively outlining suitability.

In closing, Leica’s Q and Q2 stand as a testament to compact full-frame performance. Whether the original Q’s charm with slightly smaller resolution or the Q2’s powerhouse upgrades, both represent unique instruments for photographers who value quality and design over interchangeable lens complexity.

I hope this deep dive clarifies your decision and sparks excitement to get shooting with these fantastic cameras!

If you have questions or want me to test specific scenarios, feel free to reach out - I’m here to help you make the perfect choice.