Leica Q sensor review: Leica’s best low-light camera 2019

introduction

Leica is arguably known as the maker of rangefinder cameras, and the design and layout of the Leica Q takes its cue from the Leica M series.

 Although the Leica Q excludes the rangefinder mechanism for focusing, such as for sibling the Leica M, it is a full-frame model with a new 24-Mpix CMOS sensor sans AA filter and a fixed 28mm f1.7 ASP Lens.

 Developed specifically for the Leica Q, the f1.7 summary lens has both an aperture and a focus ring and focuses just 17cm in macro mode.

 Leica Q sensor review: Leica’s best low-light camera

With no rangefinder or optical viewfinder, the Leica Q replaces the EVF. But this is no ordinary finder: With 3.68m-dot resolution, the Leica Q boasts the current highest resolution electronic viewfinder. And at the rear, it has a 3-inch touchscreen LCD with 1.04m-dot resolution.

In addition, the Leica Q adopts a Maestro II class processor (previously found on the Leica S), which offers sensitivity up to ISO 50000, continuous shooting up to 10 fps, and 1080 / 60p video recording. The Leica Q measures 5.1 x 3.1 x 3.7 ”/ 130 x 88 x 93 mm and weighs just 22.58 ounces / 640 grams.

Leica Q sensor Measurement: Excellent low-light score

The new Leica Q achieved an overall DxOMark score of 85 points, including an excellent score of 24.3 bits for color sensitivity, a slightly less-than-expected 12.7 EVS dynamic range at base ISO, and a nice low- to 2221 ISO. Light ISO score.

This is by far the lowest-light, high-ISO performance of any Leica, though only a minor improvement over the full-frameica M.

Leica Q Type 116 Vs Leica M Type 240 Vs Leica M9P: Impressive High-ISO DR

Although LeEco Q's DxOMark score of 85 is very good, it is just above the Leica M at 84 points, so the overall performance of both is at the same level. But if we look at the data in detail, there are some interesting differences.

 And it is a little surprising to see that the CMOS sensor dynamics of both models are still above the highly-regarded CCD-based Leica M9-P (and M9).

With a lower base ISO of ISO100 (against the ISO200 of Leica M), the Leica Q has slightly expanded color sensitivity, but is essentially the same through ISO400, where lower noise means a slight improvement over higher ISO.

The M9 has a lower color depth to the base (ISO80, but measured at 143), but surprisingly it is not far behind from ISO400 to M or Q via ISO1600. However, it falls quite rapidly at ISO2500. Behind the M at the base is the dynamic range of the Leica Q.

But even taking into account the difference, the Leica Q has a superior superior range than ISO400, and as a result is more flexible in recovering shadow detail or typically working with exposure adjustments.

 For low-light sensitivity, the Leica Q has stopped the Leica M9-P by about +1.3 stops, but overall, this is only a +0.25 stop improvement, or treatment, on the Le0 M.

leica_comp_1_CS
Color sensitivity, although above the Leica M9,   is only a slight improvement over the Leica M from ISO400.

Leica Q has excellent DR at higher ISOs (note how close the manufacturer's ISO is to the measured values).

Leica Q Type 116 vs Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX1R vs Sony A7R II: Strong Performance

There are not many high-end full-frame rangefinder style models to compare, but the 24-MPP Sony RX1R model is arguably the closest competitor. We have also compared the Leica Q with the Sony A7R II - not that it is considered a direct competitor, but rather that it has the same sensor as the new RX1R II.

The Leica Q struggles a bit in this company, but it is not far behind the performance of the RX1R, although Sony has achieved some significant benefits with the sensor in the A7R II. At low ISOs, color sensitivity is slight behind the RX1R, but this changes to ISO 1600, where the Leica Q has little advantage.

Against the A7R II, however, it is clear that the new Sony sensor has lower noise and better color depth in all ISO settings.

There is a stop or so of extra dynamic range depending on both Sony models, but this advantage soon disappears and loses to ISO800, where the Leica Q overtakes the RX1R and even comes close to the A7R II is.

 However, the additional increase in sensor dynamics at ISO1600 in the A7R II improves the dynamic range around a halt on the Leica Q through the maximum ISO setting.

Following a pattern similar to the color depth and dynamic range results, the noise level is between the Leica Q and the RX1R, with the latter having a + 0.3-stop gain, but the Leica Q gives the new A7R II an approx. Leaves past the stop.

The Leica Q shows slight improvements in color sensitivity over the RX1R and higher ISOs, but it outperforms the A7R II.


The Leica Q has a competitive high-ISO dynamic range when compared to the RX1R, but it surpasses the A7R II on every setting.

The conclusion

The Leica Q is a fully modern and captivating camera with a very impressive sensor. Although it is close to the CMOS performance in the Leica M, it is clearly a separate sensor with slightly lower noise and better high-ISO dynamic range.

While it has implications for the dynamic range at ISO, it remains competitive and provides excellent, subtle color and low noise. If the field of view of the prescribed 28mm focal length lens appeals, anyone who likes to work with the Lyca M series will surely be tempted by the performance of this new model.