The new Leica Q3 has everything you would expect from a Leica camera, high quality craftsmanship, a timeless and sleek design, and of course, the ability to capture incredible imagery whether it be photos or videos!
At the core of the Q3 is a newly developed BSI CMOS sensor with Triple Resolution Technology which gives users the ability to choose from three different resolutions, 60MP, 36MP, or 18MP in both RAW (DNG) and JPEG formats.
Leica says that the Q3 utilizes the entire size of the sensor regardless of the chosen resolution and boasts a sensitivity range of ISO 50 to 100,000.
The Q3 also utilizes the latest generation of Leica’s Maestro Series processor with L 2 Technology to ensure lighting fast operating speeds, especially when shooting in the largest resolutions for stills or video.
View Leica Q3 Pricing and Availability at Vistek
Like all of the Q series cameras, the full-frame Q3 features a fixed focal length lens, in this case Leica’s Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH which Leica says is one of the fastest lenses currently on the market.
Not only is the lens fast, it also features an integrated macro mode, allowing it to capture close up shots from a minimum focusing distance of 16.9 cm (6.69 in).
There is also an extended digital zoom feature which allows users to crop to the focal lengths of 28, 35, 50, 75 mm, and 90 mm.
Leica has also added two new and practical assistants, Leica Perspective Control (LPC) and Leica Dynamic Range (LDR) which Leica says helps users to capture perfect JPEGS without the need for post-processing.
The Q3 features a new hybrid autofocus system that uses contrast, depth from defocus (DFD), and phase detection along with intelligent subject recognition to ensure extremely fast, accurate focusing and tracking of objects, people and pets.
On the rear of the camera, a new tiltable three-inch, high-resolution touchscreen allows for unique viewing angles while still providing protection against dust and spray water thanks to its IP52 certification.
In addition to stills, the Q3 can record video at up to 8K/30p resolution in both H.265 and Apple’s ProRes as well as lower resolutions including up to 4K/60p and Full HD up to 120p.
Interestingly, while the camera does have a built-in mic, there is no additional mic port with which to connect an external microphone, somewhat limiting audio recording options.
Another point to note is that the Q3 doesn’t have any internal storage, meaning that all recorded media either has to be saved to the single SD card, or sent out over HDMI to another storage device such as an external monitor/recorder.
External devices such as gimbals, power banks and monitor/recorders can be connected via the USB-C and HDMI ports located on the side of the camera.
The USB-C port also allows for tethered shooting with Capture One or Adobe Lightroom.
The Q3 can be wirelessly charged (must be paired with the separate HG-DC1 wireless charging handgrip) via the new Qi compatible Leica Charging Pad.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity are built-in and the camera is also equipped with advanced Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology which brings up to 10x faster transfer speeds from the camera to the Leica FOTOS app as compared to the previous Q2 model.
Leica also says that with a stable connection and high data transfer rates to the Leica FOTOS app, videos can now be transferred from the camera to a smartphone and that special Leica Looks can be imported from the app onto the camera.
