Leica Q3 Announced

2023.05.25

Today, Leica announced their third-generation fixed-lens Full-Frame Digital Camera. Following the same form as its predecessor, the new Leica Q3 sports a high-resolution sensor with outstanding video capabilities. Although existing Leica owners may know its features and design, this is a limited series camera which is worth exploring.

The Leica Q3 is the highest-resolution Fixed-Lens Digital Camera ever made. Its sensor is a 60 megapixels Full-Frame CMOS sensor with a 315-Point Phase-Detection AF system builtin. Even though this sensor has a 33% higher resolution, it maintains the same broad ISO 50-100,000 sensitivity range. This high-speed CMOS chip is capable of capturing full-resolution images at 15 FPS and, with an 8 GB internal buffer, it can sustain this speed for 67 JPEG images or 63 DNG files.

A fixed 28mm F/1.7 prime lens by Leica ensures sharp images down to very low light levels. This lens can focus at 17cm from the focal-plane to capture detail-shots. There is a thread for 49mm screw-on filters too. There is a dedicated aperture-ring around the lens, marked in 1/3 stops from F/1.7 to F/16, plus an extra control-dial at the top of the camera.

Previously the Leica Q2 boasted an incredibly fast hybrid shutter with maximum shutter-speed of 1/40,000s. The one in the Q3 now reaches 1/16,000s yet extends to 120s, up from 60s. The most extraordinary change though is that a flash-sync speed of 1/2000s is now possible!

Video features have significantly improved this time around. The Leica Q3 becomes just the third digital camera to record Cinema 8K video. This is a wider 8K variant with 17:9 aspect-ratio and can be captured at 30 FPS, just as standard 8K. Frame-rate doubles to 60 FPS for Cinema 4K and again to 120 FPS for 1080p.

Externally, the Q3 looks virtually identical to its predecessor yet the exterior features some improvements. One is a new 5.8 megapixels 0.5" OLED EVF with the same 0.76X magnification as before, plus an essential Eye-Start sensor. The 3" LCD at the back now has 1.8 megapixels of resolution and is mounted on a tilting hinge.

The Leica Q3 is available immediately from authorized dealers for $6000 USD or €6000. This camera remains hand-made in Germany, so expect it to be in short supply. Both Adorama and B&H Photo are taking orders now. Those interested should secure their orders as soon as possible.

• Digital Camera