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Leica M10-R vs Q2

The Leica M10-R and the Leica Q2 are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in July 2020 and March 2019. The M10-R is a rangefinder-focusing mirrorless camera, while the Q2 is a fixed lens compact. Both cameras are equipped with a full frame sensor. The M10-R has a resolution of 40.9 megapixels, whereas the Q2 provides 46.7 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Leica M10-R
versus
Leica Q2
Leica M10-R   Leica Q2
Rangefinder camera Fixed lens compact camera
Leica M mount lenses 28mm f/1.7
40.9 MP – Full Frame sensor 46.7 MP – Full Frame sensor
no Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 100-50,000 ISO 50-50,000
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (3680k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1037k dots 3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Fixed touchscreen Fixed touchscreen
4.5 shutter flaps per second 10 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
210 shots per battery charge370 shots per battery charge
139 x 80 x 39 mm, 660 g 130 x 80 x 92 mm, 718 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica M10-R and the Leica Q2? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Leica M10-R and the Leica Q2. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The M10-R can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the Q2 is only available in black.

Size Leica M10-R vs Leica Q2
Compare M10-R versus Q2 top
Comparison M10-R or Q2 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica Q2 is notably smaller (6 percent) than the Leica M10-R. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the Q2 has a lens built in, whereas the M10-R is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the M10-R and their specifications in the Leica M Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the M10-R gets 210 shots out of its Leica BP-SCL5 battery, while the Q2 can take 370 images on a single charge of its Leica BP-SCL4 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica M10-R 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jul 2020 8,295ebay.com
2.
 
Leica Q2 130 mm 80 mm 92 mm 718 g 370 Y Mar 2019 4,995 amazon.com
3.
 
Leica Q3 130 mm 80 mm 93 mm 743 g 350 Y May 2023 5,995 amazon.com
4.
 
Leica M11 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 640 g 700 Y Jan 2022 8,995 amazon.com
5.
 
Leica SL2 146 mm 107 mm 42 mm 953 g 370 Y Nov 2019 5,999 amazon.com
6.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g 500 Y Jun 2019 3,999ebay.com
7.
 
Leica M10-P 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Aug 2018 7,995ebay.com
8.
 
Leica M10 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
9.
 
Leica M Typ 262 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g 400 Y Nov 2015 5,195ebay.com
10.
 
Leica Q Typ 116 130 mm 80 mm 93 mm 640 g 300 n Jun 2015 4,249ebay.com
11.
 
Leica SL 147 mm 104 mm 39 mm 847 g 400 Y Oct 2015 7,450ebay.com
12.
 
Leica M Typ 240 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g 500 Y Sep 2012 6,950ebay.com
13.
 
Leica M9 139 mm 80 mm 37 mm 585 g 550 n Sep 2009 7,999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The Q2 was launched at a lower price than the M10-R, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a full frame sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the Q2 is 1 percent bigger. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Leica M10-R and Leica Q2 sensor measures

With 46.7MP, the Q2 offers a higher resolution than the M10-R (40.9MP), but the Q2 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.30μm versus 4.57μm for the M10-R). It is noteworthy in this context that the M10-R is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 4 months) than the Q2, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Leica Q2 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the Q2 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 41.8 x 27.9 inches or 106.3 x 70.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 33.5 x 22.3 inches or 85 x 56.7 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 27.9 x 18.6 inches or 70.8 x 47.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica M10-R are 39.3 x 26 inches or 99.9 x 66 cm for good quality, 31.5 x 20.8 inches or 79.9 x 52.8 cm for very good quality, and 26.2 x 17.3 inches or 66.6 x 44 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica M10-R has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 50000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica Q2 are ISO 50 to ISO 50000 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

M10-R versus Q2 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Leica M10-R Full Frame 40.9 7864 5200none25.314.3292495
2.
 
Leica Q2 Full Frame 46.7 8368 55844K/30p26.413.5249196
3.
 
Leica Q3 Full Frame 60.3 9528 63288K/30p25.414.7321696
4.
 
Leica M11 Full Frame 60.3 9528 6328none26.314.83376100
5.
 
Leica SL2 Full Frame 46.7 8368 55844K/60p25.314.3286695
6.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p25.214.2282194
7.
 
Leica M10-P Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none25.114.1273993
8.
 
Leica M10 Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none24.413.2213386
9.
 
Leica M Typ 262 Full Frame 23.7 5952 3976none24.813.7247890
10.
 
Leica Q Typ 116 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.312.7222185
11.
 
Leica SL Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.013.4182188
12.
 
Leica M Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p24.013.3186084
13.
 
Leica M9 Full Frame 18.1 5212 3472none22.511.788469
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The Q2 indeed provides for movie recording, while the M10-R does not. The highest resolution format that the Q2 can use is 4K/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the Q2 has an electronic viewfinder (3680k dots), while the M10-R has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the Q2 has a higher magnification than the one of the M10-R (0.76x vs 0.73x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica M10-R, the Leica Q2, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Leica M10-Roptical n3.0 / 1037 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.5/s n n
2.
 
Leica Q23680 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s n Y
3.
 
Leica Q35760 n3.0 / 1840 tilting Y 1/2000s 15.0/s n Y
4.
 
Leica M11optical n3.0 / 2333 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.5/s n n
5.
 
Leica SL25760 Y3.2 / 2100 fixed Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
6.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
7.
 
Leica M10-Poptical n3.0 / 1037 fixed Y 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
8.
 
Leica M10optical n3.0 / 1037 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
9.
 
Leica M Typ 262optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
10.
 
Leica Q Typ 1163680 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s n Y
11.
 
Leica SL4400 Y3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
12.
 
Leica M Typ 240optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
13.
 
Leica M9optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 2.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the Q2 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Leica M10-R and the Leica Q2 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the M10-R and the Q2 write their files to SDXC cards. The Q2 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the M10-R can use UHS-I cards (up to 104 MB/s).

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica M10-R and Leica Q2 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica M10-RY- / -----Y--
2.
 
Leica Q2Ystereo / mono----Y-Y
3.
 
Leica Q3Ystereo / mono--micro3.1Y-Y
4.
 
Leica M11Y- / ----3.2Y-Y
5.
 
Leica SL2Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
6.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240Ymono / ----2.0---
7.
 
Leica M10-PY- / -----Y--
8.
 
Leica M10Y- / -----Y--
9.
 
Leica M Typ 262Y- / ----2.0---
10.
 
Leica Q Typ 116Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Leica SLYstereo / monoYYfull3.0Y--
12.
 
Leica M Typ 240Ystereo / mono---2.0---
13.
 
Leica M9Y- / ----2.0---
padding

The Q2 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Leica. In contrast, the M10-R has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the M10-R from Leica. Further information on the features and operation of the M10-R and Q2 can be found, respectively, in the Leica M10-R Manual (free pdf) or the online Leica Q2 Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Leica M10-R or the Leica Q2 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Reasons to prefer the Leica M10-R:

  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
  • More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
  • More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 4 months after the Q2).


Arguments in favor of the Leica Q2:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (46.7 vs 40.9MP), which boosts linear resolution by 7%.
  • Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 4K/30p video.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.76x vs 0.73x).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 4.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the M10-R necessitates an extra lens.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (370 versus 210) out of a single battery charge.
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
  • More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in March 2019).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the Q2 is the clear winner of the contest (13 : 4 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

M10-R 04:13 Q2

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the M10-R or the Q2 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica M10-R4.5/5..4/5....4/5 Jul 2020 8,295ebay.com
2.
 
Leica Q2....4.5/584/1004.5/54/5 Mar 2019 4,995 amazon.com
3.
 
Leica Q35/5..4.5/5....4.5/5 May 2023 5,995 amazon.com
4.
 
Leica M114.5/5..4.5/5..4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2022 8,995 amazon.com
5.
 
Leica SL24/5..4.5/5..4.5/54/5 Nov 2019 5,999 amazon.com
6.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240............ Jun 2019 3,999ebay.com
7.
 
Leica M10-P....3/5....4/5 Aug 2018 7,995ebay.com
8.
 
Leica M104.5/5......4/54.5/5 Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
9.
 
Leica M Typ 262............ Nov 2015 5,195ebay.com
10.
 
Leica Q Typ 1165/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2015 4,249ebay.com
11.
 
Leica SL4/5..4/584/1004.5/54/5 Oct 2015 7,450ebay.com
12.
 
Leica M Typ 2404/5......4/5.. Sep 2012 6,950ebay.com
13.
 
Leica M9........4.5/5.. Sep 2009 7,999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Leica M10-R vs Leica Q2

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Leica M10-R Leica Q2
    Camera Type Rangefinder camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens Leica M mount lenses 28mm f/1.7
    Launch Date July 2020 March 2019
    Launch Price USD 8,295 USD 4,995
    Sensor Specs Leica M10-R Leica Q2
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 35.8 x 23.9 mm 36.0 x 24.0 mm
    Sensor Area 855.62 mm2 864 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43 mm 43.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 40.9 Megapixels 46.7 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 7864 x 5200 pixels 8368 x 5584 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.57 μm 4.30 μm
    Pixel Density 4.78 MP/cm2 5.41 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability no Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 50,000 ISO 50 - 50,000 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 96
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 26.4
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 13.5
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 2491
    Screen Specs Leica M10-R Leica Q2
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.73x 0.76x
    Viewfinder Resolution 3680k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1037k dots 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Leica M10-R Leica Q2
    Focus System Manual Focus Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/2000s
    Continuous Shooting 4.5 shutter flaps/s 10 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/40000s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs Leica M10-R Leica Q2
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector no USB no USB
    HDMI Port no HDMI no HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Leica M10-R Leica Q2
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Leica BP-SCL5 Leica BP-SCL4
    Battery Life (CIPA)210 shots per charge370 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 139 x 80 x 39 mm
    (5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5 in)
    130 x 80 x 92 mm
    (5.1 x 3.1 x 3.6 in)
    Camera Weight 660 g (23.3 oz) 718 g (25.3 oz)
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