Leica has built a reputation in the world of digital photography for producing premium products that often feature a high price tag sometimes out of kilter with the technological specification of their cameras. For example, their compact cameras were often little more than Panasonic cameras with a red dot affixed and the price tag inflated.

The all-new Leica Q could well be the camera to change that reputation for the better. It’s much more reminiscent of Fujifilm’s excellent X series of compacts in terms of the user experience it offers, while its specification is up there with the best on the market.

Leica Q (Typ 116) Review – Features

The undoubted headline feature of the Leica Q is its sensor. The chip in question is a 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor that’s only matched in specification in a compact by – to date – by Sony’s RX1 and RX1R compacts.

As a result, the Leica Q should be capable of achieving a level of image quality almost unrivalled on the premium compact market.

Another pair of features that distinguish the Leica Q from the manufacturer’s previous compact cameras are found on the rear of the model. The Q features a well-specified 3in, 1.04m-dot touchscreen that’s certainly in line with the best on the market.

What’s more impressive however is the specification of the model’s viewfinder. At 3.68 million dots it’s currently the highest resolution of any EVF on the market, placing it ahead of several major electronics manufacturer’s such as Panasonic and Sony.

These two features are quite a departure for Leica – previous models had opted for an optical rangefinder-type viewfinder, while a touchscreen LCD is rarely seen on Leica cameras.

When you have such a high-spec sensor it’s important to have a lens fit for purpose. Luckily, optical performance is a field for which Leica has a longstanding reputation for excellence.

Attached to the front of the Leica Q is a fixed Leica Summilux-M 28mm f/1.7 ASPH lens, exactly the type of optic for which Leica has become renowned. The lens features a mechanical aperture ring and manual focus ring, while image stabilisation also features, allowing for sharp images in poor lighting conditions.

Finally, the Leica Q also benefits from a range modern technologies, including full Wi-fi connectivity to be used in conjunction with a dedicated Leica Q app on either smartphone or tablet, along with full HD video capture is also on hand at either 60p or 30p.