LEICA Q3

Beautiful, simple to use and takes incredible photos

- Gareth Bevan

www.leica-camera.com £5,300/$5,995

There aren't many new fixed-lens full-frame cameras around nowadays, especially premium cameras. Since Sony binned off its RX range, this has effectively left Leica with an open goal for its Q series of cameras. However, Leica being Leica, it was still going to showboat for a while before kicking the ball into the net.

Leica launched the Q series in 2015, with the aim of making a full-frame compact camera that balanced exceptional image quality and intuitive controls. The Leica Q's 28mm f/1.7 lens also garnered significant praise, with many commentators likening it to Leica's finest M-series lenses.

Building on this success, Leica introduced the Leica Q2 in 2019, with the camera featuring a higher-resolution sensor, weather sealing and all-round improved usability.

Leica is now back with the third iteration of the Q series, the Q3. The new camera aims to take everything that was loved about the previous two versions, including the same renowned fixed 28mm lens, but build upon its strengths with new cutting-edge technology. However, as the Q3 forges ahead into the future, can Leica still preserve the magic of the earlier versions?

Key features

The camera incorporates Leica's new back-illuminated CMOS sensor with Triple-Resolution-Technology. providing users with three resolution options: 60, 36, or 18 megapixels, all using the full sensor width. The 60-megapixel setting captures the finest details, while the lower-resolution options offer faster operation, longer image sequences, smaller file sizes and a slight increase in dynamic range. Powering the camera is the latest Maestro Series processor with L2 Technology.