Here’s the strongest case for a Leica Q4 with no EVF (and what it should gain in return), plus the brutal downsides Leica would have to solve.

Why ditching the EVF could make the Q4 better

1) The Q becomes flatter, stealthier, faster to live with

No EVF = no hump = cleaner top plate, easier bag fit, less snagging, less “I’m holding a fancy camera” silhouette.

For street, this matters more than spec sheets.

2) EVFs always bring the same trio of annoyances

Even the best EVF still means:

  • power drain
  • heat / complexity
  • a “screen between you and the world” feeling (especially if you shoot with both eyes open)

A Q that leans into directness is a vibe.

3) It forces Leica to make the rear screen 

actually elite

If Leica removes the EVF, they can’t ship a “pretty good” LCD. They’d have to go nuclear:

  • ultra-bright daylight visibility (the “midday sun doesn’t matter” standard)
  • serious anti-reflective coating
  • better tilt mechanism (waist-level should feel native, not like a compromise)
  • touch UX that’s instant, not menu-y

That could turn the Q4 into the most addictive walkaround camera ever.

4) The “no-EVF Q” would encourage the most interesting shooting style

When you’re not glued to a finder, you:

  • move more
  • shoot more fluidly
  • compose more instinctively
  • stay more connected to what’s happening outside the frame

It’s a very “rangefinder brain” way to shoot, without pretending it’s an M.

The hard truth: removing the EVF creates real problems

This is what Leica has to overcome, or the idea collapses:

1) Bright sun: rear LCD can be pain

Even with a great screen, the sun is undefeated unless Leica goes full “sun-proof LCD” mode.

2) Stability: EVF gives the third point of contact

EVF-to-eye shooting makes slow shutter speeds easier and steadies framing.

No EVF means more reliance on technique (or higher ISO).

3) Precision focusing / framing gets harder

EVFs are clutch for:

  • manual focus confirmation
  • exact composition
  • low light framing
  • seeing exposure changes clearly

If Q4 goes EVF-less, Leica needs to make AF + live view responsiveness god-tier.

4) The Q user base expects an EVF at that price

Leica would get roasted unless the “no EVF” model clearly gives something back (thinner, lighter, cheaper, better battery, better screen, etc.).

The best compromise: make the EVF optional instead of mandatory

If I were product-designing this like a maniac, I’d pitch one of these:

Option A: “Q4 Street” variant

  • No EVF
  • thinner top plate
  • bigger battery OR brighter/better screen
  • designed around waist-level shooting
  • maybe even a more aggressive “no distractions” UI

This is the purest version of your idea.

Option B: Modular finder (hot shoe / proprietary port)

Base camera is clean and flat, but you can add:

  • a clip-on EVF when you want it
  • or a simple optical finder for 28mm framing

It’s basically: choose your poison depending on the day.

Option C: Tiny optical “rangefinder-style” window

Not a full hybrid system—just a beautiful bright window with 28mm brightlines.

  • insanely fast
  • keeps you aware of the scene
  • but parallax and crop-frames become approximate

This would be the most romantic solution… and also the most Leica-weird.

If Leica actually did this, what should the Q4 gain in return?

To make “no EVF” worth it, it has to trade up hard in at least two of these:

  • thinner body
  • bigger battery
  • brighter / better LCD
  • better weather sealing
  • lower price
  • faster UI + faster wake-up
  • more physical controls (less menu, more muscle memory)

If Leica removes the EVF and gives back nothing, it’s just deprivation cosplay.

If you could force Leica’s hand: what’s the one thing you’d demand in exchange for deleting the EVF—thinner body, sun-proof screen, bigger battery, or a pure optical framing window?