You've come to the right place if you’re hunting for a new camera and considering buying the Leica Q (Typ 116). Below, I share a comprehensive overview of the Leica Q (Typ 116) before diving in and examining how it holds up for still photography and video work, respectively.
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Ok, enough chit-chat! Let’s dig into this Leica Q review and find out why it’s still an excellent camera in 2022!
Table of Contents
- Leica Q (Typ 116) Overview
- Leica Q (Typ 116) Photo Performance
- Leica Q (Typ 116) Video Performance
- Final Thoughts on the Leica Q (Typ 116)
Leica Q (Typ 116) Overview
The Leica Q (Typ 116) is a luxury compact camera featuring a large 24.2 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and a powerful Maestro II image processing engine. It first hit stores in June 2015, and in 2019 it was succeeded by the even more sophisticated Leica Q2.
Fixed lens compact cameras are typically tailored toward budget consumers, but that is certainly not the case with the Leica Q (Typ 116). It is a high-end camera and one of the only bridge cameras on the planet to boast a full-frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor. Due to the enormous sensor and a handful of other premium features, even used Leica Q (Typ 116) cameras will cost you somewhere in the range of $3,000.
Turning to the construction and design of the camera, it has a durable magnesium alloy body. While the lack of a proper grip might feel awkward at first for people with larger hands, the overall handling and ergonomics of the Leica Q (Typ 116) are off the charts. There are two control dials on top of the camera, easy-to-use buttons on the back, and a fixed three-inch touchscreen LCD screen.
A few more noteworthy characteristics worth mentioning are the high-quality 28mm f/1.7 Summilux prime lens, its high-resolution 3.68M dot-equivalent electronic viewfinder, and its strong battery life.
Here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of Leica Q (Type 116):
- Camera Type: Large Sensor Compact
- Sensor: 24.2MP Full-frame CMOS sensor
- ISO: 100 - 50,000
- Lens: Fixed 28mm f/1.7 Summilux lens
- Speed: 10.0 fps
- Autofocus: 49 contrast-detection points
- Video: 1080p/60p & 720p/30p
- Size/Weight: 130 x 80 x 93 mm / 640 grams (battery included)
- Battery Life: 300 shots
- Stabilization: Yes
- Touchscreen: Yes
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Leica Q (Typ 116) Photo Performance
Without a doubt, photography is the strong point of the Leica Q (Typ 116). Photos consistently come out stunningly sharp, and the image quality of stills is some of the best I have ever witnessed from a compact camera. The only other compact cameras in the same ballpark are the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R Mark II and a couple of other Leica cameras.
The Leica Q (Typ 116) shoots both RAW and JPEG files. RAW files have a wide dynamic range, and thanks to the lack of an AA (anti-aliasing) filter, they also retain extra detail. RAW files are the best option for people who want to edit their photos in post-production using programs like Adobe Lightroom. Alternatively, JPEGs are better for people who wish to use pictures straight from the camera. JPEGs have added sharpness and their colors are bold and bright.
Another area the Leica Q (Typ 116) excels in is low-light shooting. Three factors that help boost the low-light performance are the massive ISO range, the built-in optical image stabilization, and the maximum aperture of f/1.7. Moreover, the high max aperture creates buttery bokeh effects ideal for portrait photography.
Finally, one more photo feature worth highlighting is the 10.0 frames per second max burst rate during continuous shooting. Factor in that the speed stays constant even when using the live view and continuous autofocus, and the Leica Q (Typ 116) is an excellent choice for sports and action photography.
Leica Q (Typ 116) Video Performance
Unfortunately, the video capabilities of the Leica Q (Typ 116) don’t quite match up with all of the advanced photo features. For starters, there is no 4K video. Considering the fact that even most budget cameras today include it, the lack of 4K video is a total head-scratcher from Leica. Instead, the highest resolution movie frame rate sits at 1080p/60p.
Additionally, key video features such as a microphone port, a headphone port, and an articulating screen are missing. With that said, the 1080p video quality is quite solid. It won’t win any awards, but for capturing those special moments on the road, it gets the job done just fine. Furthermore, handheld shooting comes out smooth more often than not, courtesy of the stabilized lens.
Final Thoughts on the Leica Q (Typ 116)
All in all, the Leica Q (Typ 116) is a high-performing stills camera ideal for those who don’t plan on recording many videos. While it’s not cheap, if you have the budget, you will not be disappointed with the results of this fantastic camera. In particular, a few groups of people who will love working with the Leica Q (Typ 116) are travel, street, sports, and portrait photographers.
For those interested in this type of camera but have a lower budget, check out the list below of other killer used Leica cameras currently on sale at MPB.
- Leica X2
- Leica X-E (Typ 102)
- Leica X Vario (Typ 107)
- Leica X (Typ 113) Digital Compact Camera
- Leica X-U (Type 113)
- Leica Q-P