Why the Fuji X100V is Better than the LEICA Q2 

I went from the X100F to the Q1, which had been my dream camera for years. Both cameras are amazing, but I couldn't be happier with the Leica; it is everything I hoped it would be. I trade and sell camera gear often, but I will be surprised if I ever part ways with my Q!

I have owned every version of the X100 series and was completely sold on the Fuji. Until, that is, I tried the Q2. Sorry, Fuji, but you've been replaced.

Very clear & concise Mike. The discontinued Leica Q has the same Lens as the Q2 & is more affordable at around 2K. The only drawback is that it lacks weather proofing.

I went from a X100V to a Leica Q-P, no regrets. Build quality on the Leica is S Tier. Fuji definitely had the fun factor though. Both fantastic cameras.

I bought my X100V a month ago, and i could not be happier with it. The Film Simulations are an addiction! I use it for Work (Bar/Nightclub Photography) and the People just love the outcome. great video greetings from Germany :)

I’m very impressed by your ability to make the images from the two different cameras look so similar. I would be interested to have you compare your Q2 with an M11 using the same Leica lens.

I love the XF16mm 1.4 for street on my X-T2. It gives me a 24mm full frame equivalent for docu style and is great in low light. That Q2 does appeal to me more as it has the wider lens and crop ability @ 47mp. Looks like the Q3 has a tilt screen for being a little more discrete.

Great video Mike, and these are both the two cameras that I own, I feel pretty much the same, and sometimes it can be a case of one day you prefer one, and another day the other. Great to have them both though.

I love both as well! Well done!

Really great job comparing these two cameras! Very thorough and informative review. I have never tried out the Q2, but did shoot a bit with the X100F. I really liked the camera, but it did have some issues. Would like to get one of these cameras this year, but I think I would want to rent the Q2 before deciding if I want to purchase one.

This video is why I use the Fujifilm xe4 with the 18mm f2, the value of Fuji plus my fave edc focal length of 28mm!

Leica Q2 - £3.5k Fuji x100v - £1300 Id buy xt30ii- same sensor, smaller, cheaper, pocketable *would definitely want x100v in black, if buying it.

Thanks for the comparison vid - really enjoyed it. You failed to mention FUJI makes a a wide angle and tele converter add on lens specifically for the X100V which makes it a 28-35-50mm FF equivalent camera.

The price of the current Fujifilm X100V has ranged from $ 1800. In addition, if the focal length factor is from 35mm (23mm crop), the X100V has WCL, TCL lenses to solve the focal problem for both landscape and portrait photography.

Great video/review. I’ve owned both and after a few months with each I sold BOTH of them😂😂. Need a wide lens AND a tilt screen. I tried the X100v with WCL adapter and it became top heavy. So I now use my XT3 with a 18mm f2 or even the Fuji 18-80mm f4. Although it’s f4 this zoom lens has absolutely amazing bokeh. Incidentally I have the Fuji x18 f1.4 and was mega disappointed with the bokeh (and weight). Perhaps good for night photography ….. thanks again.

would be keen to see an updated review with the Q3 vs the X100v

Really good, honest comparison of two highly rated cameras, Mike. Maybe, when it's available again, I can get the X100V, and if I ever win the lottery, I might get a Q2 😉 Great to meet you and Pete while you were shooting the video. 👍🏽

Great video, very interesting. The majority of work I do is sports/wildlife with Nikon mirrorless and long lenses. But I bought a Q for travel / urban photography when it was the current model, mainly like you said because 'I just wanted a Leica' in all honesty. I love it but do sometimes struggle with the 28mm vs Q resolution if I need to crop for printed work. I couldn't justify upgrading to a Q2 when it came out, but expect to upgrade to the Q3. I find the colour contrast between the Fuji and Leica quite different and definitely prefer the Leica but have a good Fuji friend who definitely prefers Fuji for the same reason. It's good that cameras like this exist for us to find (maybe) emotional preference in... which I don't think you get from the three more mainstream brands.

Hi Mike, my 1st time to watch your clip, so enjoyable. Love it.

I have the Q2 and love it. That said, I find it frustrating that other camera manufacturers can’t seem to just make a simple camera that easily allows quick adjustments. I use a Sony RX100 VII for a small light camera with a good zoom and trying to change settings is such a pain. I don’t want presets for action, landscapes, etc and I want easy, quick access to manual focus. How is that too much to ask for? If I could get the Leica interface on a compact camera with a good zoom I’d cop in a heartbeat.

Nice review, my choice would be upcoming Q3 definitely.

I do not doubt the trong points of the leica over the fuji,but i love the 35mm+ND built in+Leafshutter and size is a killer combo for me,that i do not find on leica,as mutch as id love to,got the x100v and had the first x100,x100s and F,its always with me!

Yes, a waffle was given for the conclusion. The categories for scoring were arbitrary. But for me, the adjustable screen, EVF/OVF switchable option, and price are not a concern. Removing those factors, the Q2 wins hands-down.

I’ve used Fuji products over the years. Im not surprised how exceptional the x100v. But to me, the way it’s built says, corporate and margins. The Q while astronomically expensive, feels like it’s meant for photographers.

Quick question about the x100v flash. It's been ages since I used a DSLR and I pretty much always used an external flash. For the x100v, with the flash so in line to the lens, are there a lot of red eyes?

Correction: I own a Q3 now. Image quality compared to Fuji is insanely supreme. Fuji gear is getting sold as it just does not compare. Better??????? Though I don't own one, the Leica rules supreme for Image Quality. Anything else is so so.

On my second Q2, I bought fell in love with then decided I was being extravagant and sold my first Q2,,,,,,,and almost immediately regretted doing so. Well. Regret isn’t quite the feeling I had. More like heart break. So, bought another Q2. Recently I started having those concerns about extravagance, so I bought a X100v. Having used the two side by said now I conclude the Q2 is King. But now I’m faced with another dilemma. I can’t find it in me to sell the X100v. Jeez. Life is so complicated. I’m walking around with 2 compact powerhouse units hanging off my neck.

I faalen in love around 10years ago with Fuji x100, when it was still a niche camera. Still have the original one and till this day use it love it. The feel and connection with this camera was unique, I felt like almost unity with the camera. The colours are just beautiful. I took it to remote places and shot my fav pictures. It might feel like a toy but it definitely isn't one. In travel, weight is an important factor and it's almost 50% lighter. It was never lightning fast nad I had to take it for granted that some pics will be just out of focus. I felt I need to upgared but I never tried the V or VI. I decided to add XT4 with lenses although heavier it gives more versatility (wide+tele). It's fantastic and I also took beautiful pics with it (especially good at landscapes). But there is something that I can't explain shooting ranger style camera. Especially in docu style work. Now I'm seriously considering to get used Q2 and let my x100 honorably sit on the shalve. Thanks for your videos

Great comparison. Last year, when I needed to purchase a new camera, I narrowed my selections down to the X100v and the Q2. Both seemed perfect for my needs but the price had me leaning heavily towards the X100v despite the crop sensor. However, after months of waiting, the X100v was unavailable so I took a deep breath and went with the Q2. I have no regrets. It's a magnificent camera, built like a tank and produces stunning images just like I see the world. It works like I think. I have a feeling that if I'd gone with the X100v I'd have been yearning for the Q2 and would have had no choice but to succumb eventually. Who knows? But I would recommend the Q2 without any reservations.

just got my q2 monochrome loaded firmware and not getting the eye focusing it is not going to the. eyes. Any suggestions?

Great video Mike, I was hovering over the comments to take aim with a “how unfair to compare APSC and Full Frame (it would be like comparing the Q2 to Fuji GFX) but you made two great comments that stuck out to me - If focal length matters to you, decision made and most importantly you were honest enough to say you were attracted to the branding and…you wanted a Leica! no excuses, no bull, straight up!! I shoot X100V and really do love it, but yeah if money was not an issue I would be all over the Q2, it is a sexy beast that you just want to take out more!!! One day!!! Great video, thanks for sharing.

I think people should know beforehand what to expect when buying a Q series camera, and it can be miles apart from an affordable X100V that is more practical and has more features. Hence, its price can continue to pose the opportunity cost question to an owner. Otherwise, its FF sensor, lens and color science will win when compare with the X100V if these factors ranked high with the buyer. As well, even the GRIII can be a better choice for street photography needs. Personally, my Q as a walkabout camera serves well alone side with my Z9 and I may buy a Q3 in the future. 🙂

Mike, Thanks for the video. I have the X100V and will be selling it. To your point, it feels like a toy. You asked for feedback, so here is a bit of hopefully constructive feedback. In your comparison, the Leica wins on lens quality, image quality, and engineering. You then proceed to compare those fairly important elements with versatility, built in flash, EVF/OVF and essentially cost. Personally, comparing the first three of those with an equal weighting to the Leica's lens, image and engineering quality seems a bit biased toward the Fuji. On the other hand, Fuji's film simulations and the Leica's lackluster jpeg's could have been mentioned. Or how about Leica's stellar lens being emasculated by Leica for astrophotography. The Q2's shutter speed and ISO combinations are limited so you can't shoot high ISO and long shutter speeds. Pretty ridiculous for such a high priced camera with such a beautifully capable lens for astrophotography. Personally, I think both cameras have their place and clearly are widely popular. Thanks again. I hope this feedback is useful.

When I bought the FujiX100V it cost € 1400,-. I upgraded it with the wide conversion lens WCL-X100II that multiples the fixed focal length by approx. 0.8x, converting it to 28mm (35mm format equivalent). For me it is now perfect because I have the focal lenght I prefer most, although the camera lost it's handiness due to the additional lenght of the conversion lens. I also enjoy the various Film Simulation Recipes.

Have both and love both.

Excellent comments. The Q3 changes some of this, of course.

I finally received my X100V three weeks ago (after a 6 month wait), and I find it an amazing camera, that exceeded my my high expectations. I upgraded to the X100V from a Leica D-Lux 7, which I only bought last October and was a huge let down in picture resolution. I would expect a Q2 to be better than a X100V, considering it costs £5000+ and is a much more expensive camera. When I spoke to a Lecia representative about my disappointment with my previous Leica D-Lux 7 camera, and told them I’m going to sell it and buy a X100V, the Leica representative had nothing but good things to say about the X100V, and said it’s like the Little Brother of the Q2, which I guess it is. I hope to get the Leica Q3 in a year or two, the Q2 and now Q3 are my dream cameras. But so was and still is my new X100V camera!

Why didnt you just buy the WCL for having 28mm instead of a 5k-Q2 ??

And then the Ricoh Clan be like, “You could always buy a GRiii AND a GRiiix for about the same price as the inflated X100v” 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤷🤷

It is a strong case for x100v for street photography. But I also use my Q2 to shoot landscape. I also just used it to shoot an entire wedding this weekend. For me, the Q2 is a better choice.

Very helpful.

Great comparison! Now that the Q3 is on the market, how will your results differ? But then rumors for the next gen x100 to be announced in September... I have a deposit down on the Q3 but still not 100% onboard because with the kids out of the house, I am just the occasional event photographer now... can I justify the price tag... Would be great if every few years I can send the camera back to Leica to update the body on the Q. 😂

You know all fujis have zone focusing measurements right?

When do you up POV videos?

Nice review. But the points given are a little biased. I mean - flash gets a check mark, the same weighting as image quality? But both are great cameras

great video

Did you try the WCL wide adapter on the x100v to give you the 28mm focal length? That would make both cameras the same field of view

Aside from a 5 percentile in sharpness and build quality, the Fuji has it beaten on all fronts. The new X100VI just buried it for cost factor to feature set.

I left Fuji for Leica and it's not even a close comparison. After all it better bit be since the price! The IQ is tremendously better and I had a V! I also have XT5 and H2S. Will keep the excellent H2S for my sports work but everything else will be the M11. I can't wait to grt the Q3 at the end of May along with irs tilt screen!

I own an xt4 and a Q1. I love the Leica for black and white and the Fuji for everything else :)

Bought an x100v at launch in 2020 to replace my Q that I dropped. Returned the V a week later and picked up a new Q. I’ve had an X100 series from the S but since moving to Q in 2018, never going back. Even the older Q has better IQ than the V.

the fact that fujifilm x100v is being compaired with the Q2 is enough to buy the x100v for me

I'm invested in the Fuji system (not X100v). I shoot almost exclusively B&W and use mostly 28mm (18mm Fuji) but sometimes switch it up to 35mm (23mm Fuji). I'm seriously considering the Q2 Monochrom but the price tag is holding me back. I can afford it, just not sure I can justify to myself when the files that come out of the Fuji system are so good. Still sitting on the fence. Is it worth it?

Good review; very fair points of comparison. Although I would probably characterize the difference between the Fujifilm and the Leica as more like the difference between a higher-end Seiko and a Rolex, as opposed to a Casio and a Rolex, lol. btw > Top workhorse brands would be Canon, Sony...and Nikon. The Z9 is currently the most powerful mirrorless pro body on the market. 😉

How about x100v vs q1?

Good comparison. Some side by side pics would have completed this video

The winner is going to be the X100V all day of the week, unless you are someone that NEEDS 47MP images then the image quality really shouldn't factor into it. The only thing that should be considered image quality wise is the look of the images and the X100V wins that hands down. You can get FOUR X100Vs for the cost of one Q2 and what are you getting for 4 x the cost? Very little in my opinion.

Compare quality with full frame and crop sensor? Not sure it's honest compare

Ive allways wanted a leica Q with a 35mm lens but sadly leica doesnt make it. That would be my dream camera. I just find the 28mm too wide and the leica Q seems like a 26mm anyway.

I have a Rolex and an Apple Watch. The Rolex gives me an approximative time 😂 and the Apple Watch the exact time. 😂

Have owned both and the full frame alone makes indoor shots so much more obtainable without Fuji noise or as the enthusiasts call it, grain. The Leica just feels sleek, no hiccups, my Fujis all had bugs with cards and batteries. A full frame xpro4 would break the internet.

I own a X100V now. I used to do a lot with my Sony A7III and I still will do. But the X100V is so light and that's a factor in the street! :-)

q3 vs q2 soon? :D

Sorry, but I have to strongly disagree. The only reason people gripe about the Leica is price, and I get it. FYI - I just got my first one at 51 years old, so I know what it's like to have these luxury items out of reach. Also, I have both these cameras and the shooting experience is night and day. The image quality is much better in the Leica, the Leica Fotos app works whereas the Fuji app is absolute shit. Build quality, simplicity, etc are all amazing on the Leica. The Fuji X100V is great camera, but it always felt like it was lacking. Sorry for rambling, enjoy your day!

Are you serious?

Wished Fuji made a X100 series without auto focus. I like a lot of manual focus but the focus by wire is just not fast enough. It's the only deal breaker to me.

In terms of image quality, dpreview gave a slight nod to raw files of the Leica over the Fuji, but for jpeg quality it gives the Fuji higher score.

You could have a wide angle converter to make the Fuji 28mm and save yourself the money

On 5.5 inches of smartphone screen they look similar. As a new Q3 owner and comparing with my XPro3, I can say the difference in image quality is profound. Ditching all my fuji kit. Quality glass is quality glass. I know there will be people comparing but its like comparing a Mercedes/BMW with a Lamborghini, both are classy but the Lambo reigns supreme.

$1399 vs $5000. That answers it for most of us. The other thing is the convenience of out of camera usable JPGs. Which, the Leica really doesn't address... it assumes you're post processing 200 shots that evening. Which is a huge assumption.

do most Leica owners own Tesla's and Pelotons?... just curious (always in jest)

X100V is better than Q2? I'd say subjectively yes. 28mm is a weird focal length for me. It's certainly useful when I want to put more geometric patterns on closer distance (than my favourite 35mm), but not something I do everyday. Probably my eyes are hardwired to see in 35mm. Anyone still remember Sony RX1? I also like that.

Yes

I have never owned or used the X100V or the Q2. Both are great cameras, but I prefer my cameras to have interchangeable lenses.

Nice 👍

It was a no-brainer for me, I wasn’t going to spend 6K for a Q2! I bought the X100V and after using it for a while, I found it too limiting with one focal length. So I sold it and bought an XT5. Already had a bunch of Fuji lenses and found that I didn’t shoot with the X100V that much anyway. I had already owned previously an XE2, pro2, XT2, XT4. The pro2 viewfinder broke. XT4 had to go back to get repaired twice. Makes me wish they made them in Japan instead of China.

hey great review! quick question - which camera did you use to shoot yourself in this video? is it the r6? thanks

I own both and the Q2 is way better for me! Horses for courses. Love the Fuji for lightness and portability but no way better than the Q2.

Ummm.... how many times has this video been done??

If you are not able to appreciate the difference in quality of the photos produced by these two cameras, you are really right to choose the Fuji. It's like eating a hamburger or a dish prepared by a star chef, if you don't see a difference, you are right to save your money and settle for a hamburger. A clarification: I have owned both devices.

Nice

nice

Fuji: personal use / Leica: professional use

Nice b-roll in this video 👌🏻 - also Leica wins and should automatically get 2 starter points for being Leica

Traded my Fujifilm X100V for a Leica Q. Its ridiculous that nowadays a fuji x series camera is similarly priced to a leica.

Leica so much cooler, owned both but the Q2 ist stellar! ❤

One thing that is seldom mentioned is that Leica's hold their value. I bought a different Leica about five years ago and I could sell it for the same amount now but I can't part ways with it. I'm curious about the Q3.

My only beef with the Q2, was the autofocus was completely unreliable. I missed more shots in AF modes than I have with a lot of cameras. So it was basically a manual lens camera when I had one. The x100v has better AF but not by miles. Just better enough to have more keepers when I want to lean on AF. Also, fujis auto white balance is light years ahead of the Leica Q2. And that’s the rub for me. I don’t always shoot in auto modes. I’m fully comfortable in manual modes. But if I’m going to carry around a point and shoot style camera, I want decent auto features (especially at $6000) that are in line with its portability and in-the-moment design philosophy. Something that’s capable of keeping up with fleeting moments. After a while, the Q2 just didn’t hold up or present itself as a tool to help me get more keepers in the end. So it had to go. If I want a camera that I have to work slowly with, I’d get another Leica Rangefinder. The x100v accomplishes pretty much the exact same thing as the Q2, but with much better on-the-fly auto features that really leans into the design philosophy of a carry around point and shoot style camera.

I do like the video you are awesome but I do have trouble understanding why people are comparing cameras that are for times different in price it is not as if the Leica is 20% more money it's 400% more money you would never find a person who was deciding between the two cameras nobody would be in the market for both of them at the same time if you have the money for the Leica you would buy it which most people don't of course why the Fuji has reached cult status and is impossible to find that even twice its MSRP is beyond me the video is awesome but I've never seen people compare 2 cameras that are four times difference in MSRP it's just bizarre of course the like is better it's thousands of dollars more money no offense intended your videos are awesome

Leaf Shutter

Neither. Today, there are so many options for interchangeable lens cameras with similar or better quality that I can't find a reason for a fixed lens camera! And yes, the fun factor is there too. If you have money to spend and you like trends... I'm not going to talk about Leica, which is a bit like Apple - you pay for the brand - I'm not saying it's not good, it's Leica...; now, an apsc camera, with a +/- 35mm equivalent fixed lens, with a maximum aperture of f/2, that costs +/- 2000...!? No way.

The Leica Q2 is not designed to be a workhorse camera ????? Really ?????

Because I can buy a V and have money left over for a beater Honda Civic.

I will only come back to a fuji X100 serie when the image quality and the manual focus are equal . never could get used to fuji focus by wire , made it more like a " toy " to me . I loved the Jpgs but weirdly, never ended using them as final choice . fuji Raw files are nice too but compare it with the Q2 raw files and it is hard to go back . important to say that I droped twice the leica without any damges appart from a tiny dent but when dropped the fuji , the all electronic shutter was erratic and had to send it for repair etc ...

Q1 (Type116) has the same lens, The same phenomenal image quality and feeling, and it is more than enough for around $2K (That will keep its value for years if you decide to sell it, So you are not losing anything as opposed to other brands). There is really no need for a Q2 or Q3. I had a x100f and it felt like a toy. especially the "fly by wire" focus.

Nope you can’t beat the lens on Leica and is full frame! I own a Leica and owned Fuji in the past never again.

I don’t think so… Q2 wins hands down period!

Current day 2024 when the X100V continues to be sold at 5-600 more than its original retail price, and the X100VI out of stock everywhere and or being scalped for 2-3K the answer is obvious, at least to me it was so I got a Leica Q. There's no comparison between the 2 companies, even with a model as old as the original Q, fuji just feels cheap and I just can't get past Fuji's waxy skin tones.

It can’t be better because crop.

I'm surprised for street photography, considering the fixed lenses. I use smaller cameras, with zooms! The price of either, way out of reach. It's a snapshot world! I prefer in Analog, a SLR. A hold-out from my Pro days! I also favour the 50mm on full frame. I shoot film there! Cropping, high MP, Raw are all humbug. You want TRUE classic, it's not a digital Leica. No! Every few years a new BETTER box! Why? Really why? I soldier on with my once new in box, Leica M3, 50mm Summicron. Or truthfully a Pentax SP, Minolta film, Canon A series and my main pro kit, Nikon F. Equipment is the stopper, not the revelation! Look, see, frame, Push button! Study the Impressionists, HCB, Eisestaedt, Weston and Ansel Adams! The last on did some of the best casual portraits ever! The modern phone beats all the cameras..