Leica unveils Q2 Monochrom

Leica has announced the Q2 Monochrom, the latest monochrome variation in the German company's lineup of cameras.

The Q2 Monochrom is the company’s first autofocus Monochrom model, with all of the previous Monochrom variations having been based on M-series rangefinders, like last year's M10 Monochrom.

We'll get to the mono sensor in a bit, but in case you wondering, the camera is based on the standard Q2 and shares with it the same fixed 28mm f/1.7 lens and IP52 weather resistance rating, as well as design, handling, viewfinder, autofocus system, processor, battery, software, and just about everything else.

In fact the only way you can tell you're holding a Monochrom over an original Q2 is the “MONOCHROM” lettering on the top of the camera. The Leica logo is also absent for “unobtrusive shooting.”

The Q2 Monochrom features a new 46.7-megapixel full-frame monochrome sensor based on the original Q2, though the sensor has no color filter array, which Leica says gives it improved light light performance and increased sharpness.

Leica says they have made wholesale changes to the sensor design, including the microlenses that focus light on each individual pixel. This should lead to greater dynamic range, according to the company.

The menus are stripped back as well, with all colour settings removed. In their place are settings for toning black-and-white images (including blue, sepia, and selenium).

And the pricing? You can get your very own Leica Q2 Monochrom for $8,990 AUD, a full thousand dollars above the already expensive Q2. 

The Q2 Monochrom is available now. You can find out more at the Leica Store.