Leica has just announced the 3rd iteration of its Q cameras, the Leica Q3. Following the roaring success of the Leica Q2, this is set to be the biggest announcement of the year for the German camera manufacturing icon.
Leica’s Q cameras are compact and portable with a fixed 28mm lens, the ideal travel or everyday companion that’s designed to be carried anywhere and capture life as it happens. The Q3 aims to maintain Leica Q’s position as the best compact camera on the market, while adding and improving some key features that have made this series so successful.
Available now from all Leica stores, the Leica Online Store and authorized dealers, the Leica Q3 will be priced at $5,995.
The beating heart of the Q3 is the all-new BSI-CMOS sensor that features Triple Resolution Technology. This allows the user to shoot in either 60, 36 or 18 MP Raw DNG at the same time as JPEG in the same resolutions. This gives the photographer the ability to capture impressively large RAW files for maximum editing flexibility, while simultaneously capturing beautiful, compressed JPEGs that can be swiftly transferred and uploaded to social media.
Unlike many Leicas which feature an interchangeable lens system, the Leica Q series uses a fixed 28mm lens, simplifying the experience and ensuring the Q3 is effortless to travel with. The lens in question is the super-fast Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH, which promises the best-in-class build and optical quality Leica fans have come to expect. This lens also includes an integrated macro mode, allowing close-up shots from a minimum distance of 17cm.
The Leica Q3 features an extended digital zoom compared to previous models, with focal lengths of 28, 35, 50, 75 mm, and now also 90 mm. Working in tandem with the Q3’s large 60 MP sensor, this will ensure practically nothing is out of reach for a Q3 user.
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The Q3 also has two new assistants, namely Leica Perspective Control (LPC) and Leica Dynamic Range (LDR), helping to ensure the Leica Q3 will produce exceptional JPEGs without the need for post-processing.
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For the first time, the Leica Q3 includes a tiltable 3-inch high-resolution touchscreen. The addition of a tiltable screen allows users to get even more creative with their Q3, shooting comfortably from high or low angles. It’s important to note that even with this tiltable screen, the camera is dust and spray-resistant thanks to its IP52 certification.
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When it comes to video, the Leica Q3 is definitely up to the mark. The camera can record in 8k, utilizing highly efficient codecs like H.265 and Apple’s ProRes, perfect for capturing those moments that can’t be conveyed by a single image and making the Q3 a potential go-to for content creators.
Speaking of Apple, the Leica Q3 has more connectivity options than ever, the included Leica FOTOS cable ensures the camera integrates seamlessly into the Apple Eco System. While for the first time in a Leica camera, wireless charging is now possible via the new Leica Charging pad and separate camera handgrip. While also compatible with other Qi-capable devices, this charging system ensures the Leica Q3 is always ready when you need it.
In recent years, Leica’s Q series of cameras have carved their own space in the market. The Q3 represents the next stage of that lineage and seems set to become a new favorite for professionals, hobbyists and amateurs alike.
The Leica Q3 is available now from all Leica stores, the Leica Online Store and authorized dealers and is priced at $5,995.
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