Leica Q review: A full-frame compact that’s worth the premium

SINGAPORE — I have never really felt the urge to own a Leica — until I finally got my hands on a Leica Q. For as renowned as Leica cameras are for their outstanding photo quality, they do carry a high price tag.

Part of that price tag, to me at least, has always been about that little red dot of branding: You pay for the prestige of owning a Leica. Still, after only three days with the Q, I have come to understand why some Leica users refuse to use anything but.

At S$5,990, the Leica Q is significantly cheaper than the M-series cameras, although it is still not for those on a budget. If you can afford it, however, this full-frame, fixed-lens compact is certainly worth the premium, thanks to its aesthetics, features and overall handling experience.

The Q retains the traditional look-and-feel of some its more popular predecessors, described by some as a “mini-M”. Unlike the M-series rangefinders, however, the Q has a whole range of modern features, including autofocus, a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, Wi-Fi and optical image stabilisation.

The autofocus is worth mentioning. Leica invented autofocus in the 1960s, but sold the patents because the company felt its customers knew how to focus on their own. It was only a few years ago that Leica reintroduced autofocus to its high-end cameras.

The autofocus on the Q is fast and extremely precise. On one test, I was able to turn on the camera, focus and shoot in under a second. But the move towards autofocus does not come at the expense of the manual experience. I really enjoyed switching over to manual focus on the Q, especially with focus-peaking to ensure sharpness.

Both auto and manual focus work incredibly well in macro mode. The Q can focus from a distance of only 17cm, meaning you can get really up close to your subject.

Little needs to be said about the image quality. The Q’s 24MP full-frame sensor and the Summilux 28mm f1.7 fixed lens deliver some of the best colours and contrast I have seen in any camera. I particularly love how the Q handles shadows and delivers nicely rounded and creamy bokeh (out-of-focus blur).

But the defining factor of the Q is its user experience. The controls are simple and intuitive enough even for Leica first-timers.

It is also excellent for street and landscape photography. If you find the fixed 28mm focal length too wide, the Q displays crop lines at focal lengths of 35mm and 50mm in the viewfinder.

Over the three days I had to test the Q, I did not notice any major flaws, except for a lag whenever I wanted to review shots — not that this would deter potential buyers.

In fact, I doubt even the price tag would put off the target market. When I went down to the Leica store at Raffles Hotel Arcade the day after its June 11 launch, I was informed the Q had already sold out across Singapore, and there was a waiting list for the next shipment. You can pre-order a Leica Q by calling or visiting all Leica authorised dealers or the Leica stores at Raffles Hotel Arcade, ION Orchard, Mandarin Gallery and VivoCity.