first impression of Leica Q

[cpclee]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

- very solid construction.  the feel and finish of a real, upper end Leica

- much larger than the X1. ergonomically similar to the M (especially the thinner and shorter classic film Ms).  thumb rest a great idea

- autofocus extremely fast -- essentially spontaneous -- even indoors and even when switching between near and far subjects rapidly

- shutter sound is minimally audible.  perhaps even quieter than the cloth shutter of classic film Ms

- file write time is instant, as is playback and zooming in/out

- EVF and LCD both very high resolution, contrasty and bright.  manual focusing by focus peaking is MUCH easier than with the M240 via either the LCD or EVD because the flickering red edges are much more visible. this is the first mirrorless camera that I can focus wide angles fast and effortlessly.  you know without doubt when something is in focus

- EVF still doesn't rival the subjective experience of a good optical viewfinder.  for examples the EVF's colors don't look accurate.  however is quite functionally sufficient.  the LCD offers better color accuracy

- manual focus and aperture rings feel very smooth and weighty/well damped.  you'd not think they are not truly mechanical

- MF/AF switch is ingenious as is the MACRO mode switch

 

Overall I was very impressed and could see an interchangeable version seriously cannibalizing M sales.  But I don't take that as a negative as I think it can ultimately be a much larger market than the M.

 

If I didn't have a full set of lenses already, I'd seriously consider starting with an Q

Edited June 23, 2015 by cpclee

[algrove]

It starts up so fast from a sleep or from turning it on, I will forever be spoiled.

Edited June 24, 2015 by algrove

[MyLeicaWorld]

I couldn’t see any image quality difference than M10

[colonel]

- very solid construction.  the feel and finish of a real, upper end Leica

- much larger than the X1. ergonomically similar to the M (especially the thinner and shorter classic film Ms).  thumb rest a great idea

- autofocus extremely fast -- essentially spontaneous -- even indoors and even when switching between near and far subjects rapidly

- shutter sound is minimally audible.  perhaps even quieter than the cloth shutter of classic film Ms

- file write time is instant, as is playback and zooming in/out

- EVF and LCD both very high resolution, contrasty and bright.  manual focusing by focus peaking is MUCH easier than with the M240 via either the LCD or EVD because the flickering red edges are much more visible. this is the first mirrorless camera that I can focus wide angles fast and effortlessly.  you know without doubt when something is in focus

- EVF still doesn't rival the subjective experience of a good optical viewfinder.  for examples the EVF's colors don't look accurate.  however is quite functionally sufficient.  the LCD offers better color accuracy

- manual focus and aperture rings feel very smooth and weighty/well damped.  you'd not think they are not truly mechanical

- MF/AF switch is ingenious as is the MACRO mode switch

 

Overall I was very impressed and could see an interchangeable version seriously cannibalizing M sales.  But I don't take that as a negative as I think it can ultimately be a much larger market than the M.

 

If I didn't have a full set of lenses already, I'd seriously consider starting with an Q

 

There is an interchangeable lens version its called the SL

 

Seriously this comment is made over and over but the tolerances used when the lens can kiss the sensor are totally different to having a mount. Its why the A7 is the size it is compared to the RX1, why the X-Pro2 or X-E3 + lens is the size it is compared to the X100F, etc.