Leica Q
Announced June 10, 2015
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
Leica Q is a specialized full-frame compact camera that pairs a sharp 28mm f/1.7 lens with a responsive autofocus system in a minimalist, well-built body. While it offers a delightful shooting experience for street and travel photography, the fixed focal length and lack of weather sealing may limit its appeal as an everyday carry.
Weighted from 34 reviewer scores
Pros
- Fast, accurate autofocus performance that excels in street and reportage scenarios
- Excellent image quality with sharp, detailed results from the full-frame sensor and 28mm lens
- Robust, premium build quality with intuitive, traditional manual controls
- High-resolution electronic viewfinder that provides a crisp, clear view of the scene
- Quiet shutter and compact form factor suitable for discreet shooting
Cons
- Ergonomic issues including a slippery body and lack of a front grip
- High purchase price compared to similar compact alternatives
- Fixed 28mm focal length is not ideal for every photographer's preference
- Lack of weather sealing restricts use in harsh or unpredictable environments
- Short battery life that struggles to keep up with heavy use
- Launch price $4,250 (USD)
- Sensor 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS
- Video 1080p 29.97p 4K 59.94p
- Burst 10 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 34 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 80/100
The Leica Q is a specialized tool but one that nevertheless will appeal to a broad range of photographers, including street shooters, event photographers, photojournalists and world travelers. And most people who buy the Q are likely to enjoy using it.
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Top it all off with a really nice EVF, optical image stabilization, and Leica’s unique design sense, and you’ve got a really interesting camera.
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Apart from the Leica M rangefinders, most of Leica’s other digital cameras haven’t quite hit the mark. However, the Leica Q is different.
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The Leica Q Typ 116 delivers excellent image quality and is a joy to use.**.
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[T]he Leica Q (Typ 116) is the best serious compact camera that Leica have ever released, offering fantastic image quality, great handling and build-quality, and a number of surprisingly innovative features which include very fast auto-focusing [...]
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The Leica Q (Typ 116) is a niche camera, with a full-frame image sensor and a dedicated 28mm lens. It's not for every photographer, but it's fantastic at what it does.
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A superb full-frame compact camera for those who like traditional controls and modern features like an electronic viewfinder. The Q is capable of producing beautiful quality images.
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I’ve found the Leica Q to be a great compromise between digital automation and analogue camera style controls, as such, it feels great for capturing memories and moments rather than leaving me bewildered with menu trees.
- CNET 8.5/10
A terrific, if expensive, full-frame compact, the Leica Q is worth every penny for landscape and street photographers.
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The Leica Q is the best Leica camera I have used to date. It is a different experience than the rangefinder M and probably a comparison between the two is not fair because there are two different philosophies behind them.
- Photo Review 92%
The Leica Q is a delightful camera to use ““ particularly for street and reportage photography, where its fast autofocusing and instant responsiveness and near silent operation place it in a class of its own.
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The Leica Q is a great camera… Even at it’s price. Even though it’s not a rangefinder.
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For now, I will say the Q is the best mirrorless fixed lens camera made today if IQ, beauty and simplicity are at the top of your list.
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[C]ertainly the best full-frame fixed-lens compact ever made.
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This is a world-class point-and-shoot, and it excelled in nearly every performance test we threw at it. Its combination of features is a potent one, shredding through most typical shooting situations with ease.
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The Q is a fantastic camera.
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The Leica Q is the company’s most significant introduction since the M240. Not only does this camera meet competitors such as Sony and Fuji on equal terms, but it also betters them in several respects while offering Leica’s unique selling proposition, simplicity.
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For the first time, the Q offers similar image quality and handling to the traditional M together with a more modern approach and greater affordability. If you can live with 28mm and can make the most of it you have need not envy the M or SL owner.
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I love the Leica Q, but it definitely isn't for everyone. If the 28mm focal length is for you, then the blistering fast (and accurate) AF, stunning image quality, great low light performance coupled with perfect size and weight, makes this a serious contender.
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It was worth it. I love this camera.
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So I really love that the size and the weight and the button layout and basically the whole design of the camera is perfect for me.
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Like the very best tools, the Q is a camera that both encourages you to use it, is enjoyable and transparent in operation and rewards you with its results.
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Leica, you've hit a home run with this camera. And yeah, I just can't wait to shoot with it again.
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I truly believe this is one of the best digital camera Leica has ever made.
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Yes, it costs an arm and a leg, but the Leica Q is a stellar run-and-gun street photographer's axe that delivers tack-sharp, rich and detailed images.
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The Leica Q is an explorer's camera, an adventurer's camera, a wanderer's camera. The 28mm lens is made to capture the world around you — the whole of it — in stunning detail and quality.
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If any of these attributes appeal to you, the answer to my lead-in paragraph is yes: the Leica Q Type 116 is still good, even in 2026, and I encourage you to check it out if you get the chance.
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To conclude… I’m pissed at Leica. After the new car smell wore off I realized a piece of my soul was being surgically removed from my body with every photo I’d take with the Leica Q.
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With Hemingway Leica have proved that they can do better than keeping up with the opposition; they can design and manufacture a cutting edge camera which performs on all levels. I think that the Q represents Leica’s coming of age in the digital era.
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I hope this got you guys interested in the Leica Q or at least informed you about how amazing this camera is.
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This camera is a pure joy to use. It's just pure photography and I really really like this camera.
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Now for me, the biggest downside with this camera is the lack of weather sealing. It means that I can't use this as like an everyday carry because I can't use it every day, which is probably the most frustrating thing about this camera.
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The Leica Q is the best travel camera I’ve ever used.
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For the photographer buying the Leica Q, it is a no-brainer. Sure, price wise it's on the luxury side, but as they say that you might not need a Leica, but you definitely want a Leica.
