Leica has released details of its latest digital camera, the Leica Q, which features a 24-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and a fixed Summilux 28 mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens.

-

Angled view of the new Leica Q camera. (Source: Leica Camera.)

Targeted at street, architectural and landscape photographers, the Leica Q supports ISO sensitivities up to 50,000 and provides easy switching between macro, automatic and manual focusing. It claims to have “the fastest autofocus in its class and offers almost real-time precision focusing”. In manual focusing mode, Live View offers two  additional electronic focusing aids: Focus Peaking and Live View Zoom, the latter providing up to six times magnification. Aperture and shutter speed settings can be selected even when the camera is switched off.

Fast image processing speeds are provided by the dedicated Leica Maestro II image processor, which can support continuous shooting at up to ten frames/second with full resolution. The integrated electronic viewfinder boasts a resolution of 3.68 million dots. The camera also has a 3-inch TFT LCD touch-screen monitor with approximately 1,040,000 pixels. Wi-Fi and NFC support are built-in and usable with the Leica Q app, which can be downloaded free from the Leica website.

A ‘digital frame selector’ gives users the option to shoot 35 and 50 mm lenses by cropping the frame. The corresponding frames are displayed in the viewfinder at the press of a button. The selected framing is preserved in the JPEG image files, while the RAW files in DNG format record the entire field captured by the 28 mm lens. Video recorded in full HD 1080p resolution and users can choose between 30 and 60 full frames/second for recording in MP4 format. An integrated wind-noise filter is provided.

The body of the Leica Q is made in Germany from high-quality materials. The top plate is machined from solid blocks of aluminium, the body is made of magnesium alloy, and all lettering and the markings on its setting dials are laser-engraved. The thumb rest on the back of the camera and the diamond pattern of its leather cladding ensure a secure grip.

The Leica Q is now on sale at authorised Leica dealers, which can be found via http://en.leica-camera.com/Stores-Dealers/Leica-dealer-locator. Details of the camera are available at http://en.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-Q/LEICA-Q.