The sales numbers speak for themselves. According to Nikkei, global shipments for fixed lens compact cameras fell by 110 million units in 2008 — a year after the release of Apple’s iPhone — by 97 per cent to just a meagre 3.01 million in 2021.
With Panasonic and Nikon’s subsequent announcement that they’d be canning their entry-level compact cameras, the budget single-lens camera is undoubtedly at death’s door.
But what about point-and-shoots in the luxury segment? Leica certainly believes that the sector still has legs, given that the Germany company recently released the Q3, a followup to their popular Q compact camera series with a price tag of $8,960 — sans accessories.
A BETTER POCKET CAMERA
First launched in 2015, Leica’s Q series has earned quite a reputation in photography circles.
This is marginally more expensive than the Leica Q2 (the cheapest variant of which is currently listed at $8,510 on the brand’s website), and a good deal cheaper than the brand’s flagship Leica M11, which retails at over $13,000.
The Q3 costs about as much as five iPhone 14 Pros, which is not to question the device’s affordability but its value in 2023.
The digital zeitgeist favours content that is snappy, easily digestible, and even easier to capture — preferably with a device that fits snugly into your back pocket, like a smartphone; one that costs comfortably high enough to be a status symbol while being cheap enough to upgrade every year.
The Leica Q3 is the first camera to feature wireless charging with an optional hand grip accessory.
This story is from the August 2023 edition of The PEAK Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2023 edition of The PEAK Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A Sophisticated Bachelor Pad
In this two-storey apartment belonging to a finance in professional, designer Jerry Tan of Joey Khu ID created distinct arez ork and play.
Fringe Modalities
Poet, frontwoman, and shamanic healer ArunDitha Emmanuel returns to Singapore with renewed vigour to push the state-enforced boundaries of art.
Taking On Decolonisation
The annual Per°Form Open Academy of Arts and Activations by T:> Works this year tackles the complex subject of decolonisation with a line-up of artists from the global south.
Japan at Half-speed
A walking tour through the Kunisaki Peninsula in Kyushu is an invitation to appreciate thé country’s beauty ata snail's pace.
Truffle Sabotage
In the heart of Chianti, dark tales of the truffle trade, bacchanalian feasts, and sun salutations await at Christina Ong's COMO Castello del Nero in Tuscany.
Is Barolo the Next Burgundy?
With Burgundy prices reaching starry heights, we find out why Barolo is the next frontier for oenophiles.
Hungry for Hansik
Hansik, or Korean food, is becoming more popular worldwide due to the proliferation of Korean pop culture. We explore two of the cuisine's stalwart elements.
Maxed Out
We explore the intricacies of high-performance tyre development inside Continental’s top-tier test facility in Germany and put its new MaxContact MC7 tyres to the test.
India Rising
From a culture whose glorious traditions have greatly influenced luxury jewellery today, young designers like Renu Oberoi are rewriting the narrative.
A Life Less Ordinary
Street culture pioneer-entrepreneur Feroze McLeod defies convention, even in his watch collection.
