Leica has announced its latest monochrome camera, the Q2 Monochrom. A variant of the standard Q2 launched last year, the Q2 Monochrom has a specially designed brand new 47.3 megapixel full-frame monochrome sensor.
The new sensor is combined with the same
Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH. prime lens from the standard Leica Q2. This is a
fixed lens, so that does limit flexibility, especially since it's also a prime
lens, although the camera does offer crop modes to zoom into your subject at
the loss of some resolution.
The Q2 Monochrom is capable of IS 100,000
thanks to its monochrome sensor. It also has a faster autofocus system that can
lock in 0.15 seconds. The camera is also capable of 10fps burst capture at full
resolution. If you're interested in capturing some monochrome video, the Q2
Monochrom can do 4K in 24 and 30fps and 1080p in 24, 30, 60, and 120fps. There
are no headphone or microphone jacks, however.
Leica has modified the menus to remove all
the settings not relevant to a monochrome cameras. You also get just three
color filters suitable for black and white photography, including blue, sepia,
and selenium. The rest of the camera is similar to the standard Q2.
While a lot of people may not see much
value in a camera that only shoots in monochrome, there are reasons to consider
a monochrome camera over color besides just aesthetics. A monochrome camera
does not have a color filter over the sensor, which allows the sensor to
capture a lot more light. This is why monochrome cameras have better low light
performance and better dynamic range. The image is also cleaner on a
pixel-level as there is none of the muddling caused by demosaicing algorithms.
The noise on monochrome cameras is also less obtrusive as there is essentially
no chromatic noise and the luminance noise looks far less offensive. Also, no
colors means no chromatic aberrations and other color related issues.
The result of all this is fantastic sensor
output, which when combined with a full-frame sensor and a fast lens means you
get excellent image quality. For those who love shooting in monochrome, getting
a dedicated monochrome camera will always provide better results than shooting
with a color camera and making the images monochrome later.
However, as with every Leica camera, the
main issue is always the price. The Q2 Monochrom is priced at an eye-watering US$ 5,995. That's US$ 1000 more than even the standard Q2. This makes it even more of
a niche camera than it already was by not being able to capture colors. If
you're someone for whom spending US$ 6000 on a camera is not a big deal and you
appreciate the aesthetic appeal and image quality of monochrome images then
this camera may still be worthwhile.
