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Leica

Q2 Monochrom

Monochrome-only Q2 with 47MP sensor and fixed Summilux 28mm f/1.7 for black-and-white purists.

$5,995

Launch price

Released Nov 2020

vs
Alpha 7 IV

Sony

Alpha 7 IV

33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.

$2,499

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

Alpha 7 IV is 11 months newer.

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Wins

5categories

Q2 Monochrom

WildlifePortrait

Wins

7categories

Alpha 7 IV

PortraitWildlife

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Q2 Monochrom wins 1 categories·Alpha 7 IV wins 4 categories
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 49)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 120 frames)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
  • AQ2 Monochrom has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 10 fps)

Key specs at a glance

Q2 MonochromAlpha 7 IV
Resolution47.3 MP33 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max25,60051,200
Burst20 fps10 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS7-stop5.5-stop
Weight718 g658 g
Battery640 shots580 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Q2 Monochrom

130 × 80 × 92 mm

718 g (1.58 lb / 25.33 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Alpha 7 IV front view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 × 80 mm

658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)

Q2 Monochrom is 1mm narrower and 16mm shorter than Alpha 7 IV but it is also 12mm thicker.

Q2 Monochrom is 60 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.

Depth (front-to-back): 92mm Q2 Monochrom · 80mm Alpha 7 IV

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

Q2 Monochrom

130 × 80 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7 IV back view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

Q2 Monochrom

130 × 92 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7 IV top view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 80 mm

Sensor size, to scale

Q2 Monochrom

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

Alpha 7 IV

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Q2 Monochrom: mount data unavailable

Alpha 7 IV

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseQ2 MonochromAlpha 7 IV
Portrait
8.5Excellent
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Landscape
8.5Excellent✓ wins
7.5Good
Travel
6.5Good
7.0Good✓ wins
Wildlife
9.0Excellent✓ wins
8.0Excellent
Vlogging
5.5Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Q2 Monochrom

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 130, 80, 92

  • Burst (electronic)

    20 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

  • Pre-Capture / Pre-Release

    Only Q2 Monochrom supports it

  • Resolution

    47.3 MP vs 33 MP — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Vehicle

  • IBIS effectiveness

    7 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better

  • Battery life (CIPA)

    640 shots vs 580 shots — higher is better

  • AF frame coverage

    100 % vs 94 % — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7 IV

  • AF low-light limit

    -4 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8

  • AF points / zones

    759 vs 49 — higher is better

  • RAW buffer depth

    828 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better

  • Max video bit rate

    600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I

  • AA filter

    Only Alpha 7 IV supports it

  • ISO max (native)

    51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 60 fps
  • In-body stabilization (IBIS)Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Q2 Monochrom

Pros

  • 47MP monochrome
  • Summilux 28mm f/1.7
  • Weather sealed
  • Unique B&W compact

Cons

  • Monochrome only
  • Fixed lens
  • Very niche

Alpha 7 IV

Pros

  • 33MP — more detail for cropping and print
  • 10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
  • Full-size HDMI port
  • 759 phase-detect AF points

Cons

  • 4K 60p requires Super35 crop
  • 10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
  • Complex menu system

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Q2 Monochrom and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

Q2 Monochrom
Alpha 7 IV
Resolution
47.3 MP+43%
33 MP
Sensor type
Monochrome Full Frame CMOS
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Sensor size
36.0 × 24.0 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
No
Yes
Q2 Monochrom
Alpha 7 IV
Processor
Maestro IV
BIONZ XR
Q2 Monochrom
Alpha 7 IV
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
25,600
51,200+1 stop
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
204,800
Q2 Monochrom
Alpha 7 IV
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/8000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for vlogging, Q2 Monochrom or Alpha 7 IV?

Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Q2 Monochrom — Fully articulating screen — see yourself while filming.

What's the resolution difference between the Q2 Monochrom and Alpha 7 IV?

Q2 Monochrom is 47.3 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Q2 Monochrom captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Q2 Monochrom and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?

Q2 Monochrom has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Q2 Monochrom or the Alpha 7 IV?

Q2 Monochrom reaches 20 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Q2 Monochrom and Alpha 7 IV?

Q2 Monochrom weighs 718 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 60 g lighter.

Do the Q2 Monochrom and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?

Q2 Monochrom: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.

Are the Q2 Monochrom and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?

Q2 Monochrom: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Q2 Monochrom and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Q2 Monochrom the edge.

How much does each cost?

Q2 Monochrom launched at $5,995 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $3,496 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way Q2 Monochrom vs Alpha 7 IV vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.

Product images courtesy of Leica and Sony press materials.