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Archive 2020 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

wdshuck
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

Has anyone compared the 24 GM to the Leica Q? I've been renting a Leica Q for the long weekend and really have enjoyed it for the rendering and small package for family photos. At 50% the price though, the 24 GM might be a more practical solution, especially since I already have a A7RIV. I assume the AF will likely be better in the Sony too.

I'm mostly interested in rendering and color - I mostly used manual lenses before having a child (love my Loxia 25, but harder to grab shots one handed with a kid!). Now I've switched to using a Batis 40 and 85 for more keepers and need something on the wide end.

Nov 29, 2020 at 08:57 AM

akashyap
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

I do love the compact fixed lens format - give me a fast ~35mm lens and I'll happily take pictures for the rest of my life. However, I did see myself missing IBIS from my A7R2 when I had my RX1Rii. For that reason, I do think it's practical to add a lens to the kit instead of picking up a compact camera.

As far as image quality goes, you will really enjoy the 24 GM with your set of Batis lenses. I like to chase Zeiss' signature look (great colors, smooth out of focus rendering, micro contrast) and found Sony's 24 GM to have a more similar look to the Loxia and Batis series of lenses than it does other Sony G or GM lenses (85 GM excluded). A comparison between the Loxia 25 and 24 GM by Fred showed the 24 GM neck and neck, but I believe the 25 Loxia did pull away eventually. For that reason, I think the 24 GM can hold its own against Leica's 28/1.7.

Unless you really want / need a back up camera, I'd skip the Q and grab a 24 GM to round out your kit.

Nov 29, 2020 at 11:59 AM

wdshuck
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

Thank you, that's super helpful. I've really enjoyed the color signature of the Loxia and Batis lenses.

akashyap wrote:
I do love the compact fixed lens format - give me a fast ~35mm lens and I'll happily take pictures for the rest of my life. However, I did see myself missing IBIS from my A7R2 when I had my RX1Rii. For that reason, I do think it's practical to add a lens to the kit instead of picking up a compact camera.

As far as image quality goes, you will really enjoy the 24 GM with your set of Batis lenses. I like to chase Zeiss' signature look (great colors, smooth out of focus rendering, micro contrast) and found Sony's...Show more →

Nov 29, 2020 at 12:36 PM

serhan_
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

From my experience, Q2 and A7R III stabilization is very close. I assume Q will be similar. There is distortion correction on Q but lens is still very sharp wide open even on Q2:
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/leica-q-typ116/11

Built in lens is smaller than any equivalent prime lens. I used RX1 and RX1 II for my travel and found it not wide enough and Q2 fits better. Q2 single af is faster than RX series but it doesn't have the tracking/eye af of Sony. Mostly it doesn't matter with a wider angle lens, eg dof is still wide enough... Q can be a nice second camera when you have the longer lenses on A7R IV. Again it depends if you want to carry both cameras or how much you want to use wide angle or if you want to use higher MP/dynamic range of A7R IV with 24mm...

Batis 25mm is a good lens also and cheap as used if you want to keep af and the same look of Batis 40mm/85mm also... I used Batis on A7R II/III.

Nov 29, 2020 at 02:39 PM

RyanFlynn
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

I really loved my Q, and will probably have another at some point. It’s closer to the 24GM than people think, since the Q lens is really more like a ~26mm, then corrected and ends up around 28mm. The 24GM seems more colorful and saturated than the Q. The 24GM has smoother background blur, but I personally love the way the Q draws. AF is obviously much better on the Sony package, but the Q is nice and quick for stationary things ... it just can’t track moving objects to save its life.

Nov 29, 2020 at 04:35 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

I would have purchased the Q by this time (at least to try it), but I don't like the draw of the Q Summilux that much...and I think it's less impressive in terms of structure of OOF areas and color/contrast than both the RX1 Sonnar and GM 24.

Take a look at the Leica Q flickr page--there's 12K+ photos. You can see the lens at any distance, aperture, and lighting condition with various processings.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/2793618@N25/pool/

Nov 29, 2020 at 04:54 PM

wdshuck
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

Thank you - the size is the main pull for the Q. I probably wouldn't take both cameras; thought I would with 2 bodies but ended up deciding it was bulkier than I wanted. The compact nature is a draw, where I might not take the Sony.

serhan_ wrote:
From my experience, Q2 and A7R III stabilization is very close. I assume Q will be similar. There is distortion correction on Q but lens is still very sharp wide open even on Q2:
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/leica-q-typ116/11

Built in lens is smaller than any equivalent prime lens. I used RX1 and RX1 II for my travel and found it not wide enough and Q2 fits better. Q2 single af is faster than RX series but it doesn't have the tracking/eye af of Sony. Mostly it doesn't matter with a wider angle lens, eg dof is still wide enough... Q can be a nice second...Show more →

Nov 29, 2020 at 05:28 PM

wdshuck
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

The closeness of the focal length is a good point.

I've already found it can't track my son hah. The single point AF is surprisingly accurate even in low light though.

RyanFlynn wrote:
I really loved my Q, and will probably have another at some point. It’s closer to the 24GM than people think, since the Q lens is really more like a ~26mm, then corrected and ends up around 28mm. The 24GM seems more colorful and saturated than the Q. The 24GM has smoother background blur, but I personally love the way the Q draws. AF is obviously much better on the Sony package, but the Q is nice and quick for stationary things ... it just can’t track moving objects to save its life.

Nov 29, 2020 at 05:30 PM

wdshuck
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

Thanks, helpful to have the 24 / RX comparison. I feel like the weekend has been helpful giving me a sample of the Q's draw. I am less wowed by it vs other M lenses, but the total package is compelling. It sounds like I certainly wouldn't be let down by the 24s draw.

nehemiahphoto wrote:
I would have purchased the Q by this time (at least to try it), but I don't like the draw of the Q Summilux that much...and I think it's less impressive in terms of structure of OOF areas and color/contrast than both the RX1 Sonnar and GM 24.

Take a look at the Leica Q flickr page--there's 12K+ photos. You can see the lens at any distance, aperture, and lighting condition with various processings.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/2793618@N25/pool/

Nov 29, 2020 at 05:32 PM

saxguy
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

I had the Q2 and the 24GM with the a7r iii and iv. Image stabilization goes to the Q2. I personally found the colors from the Q2 easier to handle in post and loved the way the lens rendered. The 24GM and the a7r series has the low light advantage and not just because of the 1.7 to 1.4 aperture. The Sony sensor can pull from the shadows better and is less noisy at higher ISOs. With the Q2 I had to keep things under 3200. The Q can do a little better.

In the end I sold them both because I'm not a fan of 24 or 28 for general shooting. 35 is my widest prime for general shooting. My preferred focal length is 50mm. I now have the SL2 with the Summicron-SL primes - 35, 50 and 90.

I would love it if the RX1R iii was released. I had the RXR ii and it was almost perfect (as a camera) - the rendering was amazing and even though it was "only" a f2 lens the images and oof areas were always incredibly rendered.

Nov 30, 2020 at 10:47 PM

Viramati
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

I used to have both and sold the my Q when I bought the 24GM. Both fantastic optics though of course wit the Q you're just stuck with the one lens. For me in the long run I found that the 24GM was just to wide for my use so I sold it but if you like that focal length it's a no brainer

Dec 01, 2020 at 06:59 AM

wdshuck
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

saxguy wrote:
I had the Q2 and the 24GM with the a7r iii and iv. Image stabilization goes to the Q2. I personally found the colors from the Q2 easier to handle in post and loved the way the lens rendered. The 24GM and the a7r series has the low light advantage and not just because of the 1.7 to 1.4 aperture. The Sony sensor can pull from the shadows better and is less noisy at higher ISOs. With the Q2 I had to keep things under 3200. The Q can do a little better.

In the end I sold them both because...Show more →

Thank you - it's interesting you went from Q2 to focus on the SL2. A friend who has been trying to convince me on the Q2 did the opposite, became frustrated with SL2 AF but loves the Q2 - I think he likes the wider focal length though.

I think I'm with you on 35 being about perfect. I was really hoping the ZX1 would be 1) smaller and 2) closer to $3-4k; it's neither and appears to have bad AF.

The 24 GM seems like the better solution for me now, I will mainly use it around the house with my son, but then can switch to longer focal lengths outside. While I also really like the colors in post of the Q (agree they require less editing), it is nice to have the same sensor for easier editing.

Dec 01, 2020 at 09:04 AM

hsiunghsiung
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

I'd go for the 24gm strictly for the pdaf with sony cameras, but thats only because of my scenarios. My kids are under 2 years old, so they don't really stop for pictures and stuff, so pdaf is definitely needed for them if i want candid shots.

Both Q and 24gm create great photos, so you can't go wrong with either. I like the size and form factor of the Q, but the 24gm on a sony a7 series camera with pdaf can be more reliable at times i think, and the sony sensor in my opinion has better raw editing potential (from my experiences of editing files from Q and a7rii). plus, you can also punch in on an a7riv with a 36mm (around f2?) equivalent using the 24gm.

I'd only go leica Q route if you strictly want the size advantage or form factor.

Dec 01, 2020 at 07:17 PM

wdshuck
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

hsiunghsiung wrote:
I'd go for the 24gm strictly for the pdaf with sony cameras, but thats only because of my scenarios. My kids are under 2 years old, so they don't really stop for pictures and stuff, so pdaf is definitely needed for them if i want candid shots.

Both Q and 24gm create great photos, so you can't go wrong with either. I like the size and form factor of the Q, but the 24gm on a sony a7 series camera with pdaf can be more reliable at times i think, and the sony sensor in my opinion has better raw...Show more →

Thanks, I think the AF and raw flexibility for the Sony have pushed me towards the 24 GM.

I just ordered a 24GM, got a great deal from BH - can't wait for it to arrive now!

Dec 02, 2020 at 08:42 AM

patotts
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

Bumping this thread - anyone shooting Leica Q3 (or Q2) and e.g. Sony A7R V side by side and able to comment? Perhaps even the new Sony A7CR?

Oct 10, 2023 at 09:00 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

I went through this exact same scenario recently. I purchased my GM24 at launch, and have been using it since. I acquired a Q2 over the summer, updating my post above. I have shot the GM 24 on an a7r2 and a7r3 for years, and more recently an a7c.

Optically, they have different strengths and weaknesses.

The GM wins on:
- MFD performer and bokeh at MFD (aside from 1.4 vs 1.7 but the Q Lux make you stop down to f2.8 on top of not being 1.4)
- The GM has the smoother rendering (if you prefer that), both structurally and with a little SA.
- The GM is wider, faster and cheaper. Especially as you can pick up a used copy mint for under $900.
- The array of AF options, espcially EyeAF is such a boon for environmental portraits, band photography and pets as well.

The Q28 Lux wins on:
- Flare resistance
- LoCal correction (really impressive)
- To me, more pleasant colors and contrast, though a bit higher bite. Might not be preferred for all types of shooting.
- MF experience is far better
- Size and haptics

So, optics alone, no clear winner. I actually prefer the slight amount of structure in the draw for the Q--it's not busy, but does give the lens some personality. I also found Q files generally nicer to work with unless really pushing the Q2 sensor in low light or DR-wise. The Q2 offers better colors and contrast generally--the lens simply has a very elegant way of rendering, especially in black and white. The 24 GM's tonal palate is good but not great like some modern Zeiss or Leica's to me.

In practice, even if you put the GM 24 on an a7c (or now a7cII or a7cR), it's unwelcomingly bulkier (I think), while also being significantly less pleasant to use (ergo, menus and EVF on the A7c cameras are worse, especially the original A7). Both lenses are extremely sharp, but I think the nod probably goes to the Q Lux. Sharpness is not really an issue with either lens when cropping somewhat heavily, at least in the 42-47 MP range.

The GM doesn't have to be married to spendy body though. And the AF is just simply much better for certain AF-intensive tasks with Sony than what the Q2 or Q3 offers. Also, the Q2 capped the SS at 6 seconds, which was horrible for astro purposes. The GM 24 is a champ for astro.

I really enjoy both the GM 24 and Q Lux. Having sold my Q2, I miss it despite having an a7r3 and a7c with a GM 24. The files and shooting experiences were really something. Having said that, if I kept my Q2 and sold my GM 24, I would miss that too.

So, essentially, similar lenses and with well corrected draws, but different enough that you'll feel it. I'd pick up whichever lens your shooting and aesthetic preferences lean towards, while knowing both can do pretty much everything well.

And I still like the RX1 Sonnar the best. Sigh.

GM 24

Oct 10, 2023 at 11:19 PM

patotts
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

fantastic answer @nehemiahphoto - exactly what I was looking for.

Oct 11, 2023 at 09:40 AM

Grenache
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

I can echo much of what has been said above in that there is no perfect solution…even at the hefty price of a Q.

I rented a Q2M for about a month last year, assuming I would fall in love with it and get one or the Q2 color version. I am one of the nuts who slightly prefers 28mm to 35mm, so it seemed like a win. I loved almost everything about the camera…great ergonomics and viewfinder, great dynamic range. However, the lens has a lot of distortion from MFD to about 10ft. There is on board software to try to mitigate that, but I found it next to unusable for headshots or closer portraits…something that ironically are not a problem for the even wider 24GM. At the price of the Q2, I found it really appalling that the lens was not - in my opinion - up to traditional Leica standards.

I instead purchased an a1 and an RX1Rii. The a1 is great but is more than I need in terms of functionality by miles, but the AF and viewfinder have spoiled me to the point that I can’t go back. The lens on the RX1Rii is fabulous, but other than the weight, all other aspects were nicer on the Q2. For me, the lens is worth the other compromises, but it would have been great if there was a “no compromises “ camera with a fixed lens.

To fill the 28mm niche, absent a GM or equivalent option, I picked up a Zeiss ZF.2 28/2, which is a phenomenal lens that balances well on the a1, even with an adapter. That is not a small or light package, but it produces great results.

Everyone has different priorities and solutions. This is how I landed.

Jim

Oct 11, 2023 at 02:18 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

patotts wrote:
fantastic answer @nehemiahphoto@ - exactly what I was looking for.

Glad it was helpful! Just an iphone photo from before selling my Q2. Note the lower profile without a grip and much smaller 28 Lux on the q2. And an RX1 would be about as big as the GM by itself

Oct 11, 2023 at 02:24 PM

patotts
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Leica Q vs Sony 24 GM

I know the reasonable answer is to just add a 24mm, and be there. I actually used to have it years ago, I just reviewed some old photos from it and there is nothing to complain about really - definitely more pop than the otherwise excellent 20/1.8G.

I also reviewed some old Leica Q/Q2 photos - I can't really say that they are leaps and bounds "better" than anything I can achieve with a Sony + GM lens, but I think it is the package that is so compelling! All that IQ and superlative engineering/design in a small package.

The context is that I'm moving to Paris next year, I know my Sony A7R5 and G/GM glass will more than do the job, it is not about the gear, yada, yada, yada - but at the same time, I know that having a small kit that I can bring along on dog walks, commuting, and afternoon strolls will make a difference. And actually having that macro capabilities is a lot of fun for shooting at cafes, etc.

Oh well, I have time to think about it... Step one is most likely to just pick up a minty used 24GM here on FM B&S and live with that for a while.

Oct 11, 2023 at 03:27 PM

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