Ksocha Loc: Bethesda, MD

Doesn’t the Q2 have the ability to shoot in B&W? Why is the Q2M a thousand dollars more expensive?

I really am curious about this. Please post a response if you have any insights on this issue.

Thank you.

BebuLamar

Because the monochrome version has no bayer filter. Each pixel site capture all colors for B&W image. The image is limited to only B&W (you can't convert it to color) but has higher resolution. Also by not throwing away any light with the bayer filter the sensor is more sensitive to light.

jwreed50 Loc: Manassas, VA

This is correct. Yes, the Q2 can shoot in both color and B&W, but the Q2M will do better in B&W than the Q2. But, obviously, the Q2M is limited to B&W only.

Herr Barnack

The Q2 produces jpeg files when shooting in black and white. The Q2 Monochrom produces DNG files in black and white. Big difference if you want to make exhibit quality prints.

The other difference is ISO. The Q2 has a maximum ISO of 50,000. However: Noise starts to become problematic (for printing, that is) at ISO 3200.

The Q2 Monochrom has a maximum ISO of 100,000. Because there is no Bayer filter array, you have a higher maximum ISO as well as a higher usable ISO. The Q2 Monochrom's noise looks more like film grain than the color Q2's noise. Also, depending on who you ask, the Q2 Mono has a usable ISO of somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000.

With the Q2M if you want to make exhibit quality prints and stick with ISO 20,000 or even lower to err on the side of caution, you still have a blindingly fast usable ISO when compared to the color Q2.

If you are a black and white lover, the Q2 Monochrom is the obvious choice IMHO.