Qvs ZV-E1
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Street, Travel & Fine Art Photography — Q (2015): The camera that redefined luxury compact photography — a full-frame sensor, the finest 28mm compact lens available, and a shooting feel that is uniquely Leica.
Video Creators, Vloggers & Filmmakers — ZV-E1 (2023): Full-frame video quality in a vlogging body — exceptional low-light performance and a genuinely compact form factor.
Who should buy what
Q (2015)
- Street and documentary photographers who want a full-frame fixed-lens camera with iconic character
- Travel photographers who want the finest compact image quality available
- Leica enthusiasts who want an autofocus alternative to the M system
- Photographers who value build quality and shooting experience as much as spec sheets
ZV-E1 (2023)
- Video creators who want full-frame low-light quality in a compact body
- Vloggers stepping up from APS-C who prioritise image quality over resolution
- Filmmakers who want S-Log3 and cinematic colour in a run-and-gun package
- A7S III users who want the same sensor in a smaller, lighter body
Quick take: The q has the highest resolution at 24mp. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Q (2015) | ZV-E1 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/60p (S-Cinetone, S-Log3), 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, 49 AF fields, face detection | Real-time Tracking AF with subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | None | IBIS — Active Mode for video |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 10fps |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | ~570 shots (CIPA) / ~105 min video |
| Weight | 640g (with battery and card) | 483g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 130.0 × 80.0 × 93.5mm | 121.4 × 71.6 × 54.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.68M dots, 0.68× magnification | None — screen only |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Fixed Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, Multi-Interface Shoe |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Q | ZV-E1 |
|---|---|---|
| Street | ||
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Low Light | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history