Leica M11vs Leica Q3vs A7 IV
Which should you buy?
Rangefinder Enthusiasts & Collectors — Leica M11 (2022): 60MP of full-frame resolution in the thinnest digital M ever made — the M11 is the definitive expression of Leica's rangefinder tradition.
Travel, Street & Premium Compact Shooters — Leica Q3 (2023): 60MP, Summilux 28mm, IBIS, and weather sealing — the Q3 is the ultimate fixed-lens camera for those who can justify the cost.
Portrait & Wedding Photography — A7 IV (2021): The full-frame portrait benchmark — 33MP, AI Eye AF, and exceptional skin-tone rendering in a pro-grade hybrid body.
Who should buy what
Leica M11 (2022)
- You shoot street, documentary, or reportage and prefer manual focus discipline
- You value a discreet, minimal camera that doesn't draw attention in public
- You're willing to invest time in the rangefinder learning curve for a uniquely rewarding experience
Leica Q3 (2023)
- You want a single camera that's ready for anything, anywhere — no lens changes needed
- You shoot street, travel, or documentary and want full-frame quality in a compact body
- You appreciate Leica optical quality and are comfortable committing to one focal length
A7 IV (2021)
- You want a high-resolution full-frame all-rounder for portraits, weddings, or travel
- You're stepping up from APS-C or a DSLR and want the best all-round full-frame body under £3,000
- You shoot a mix of stills and video and need a single body that handles both seriously
- You want access to the widest lens ecosystem in the mirrorless market
Quick take: The leica m11 has the highest resolution at 60mp; the a7 iv is the most affordable; only the leica q3, a7 iv are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Leica M11 (2022) | Leica Q3 (2023) | A7 IV (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £7,999 | £5,999 | £2,299 |
| Sensor | 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS (Tri-resolution: 60/36/18MP) | 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 60.0MP | 60.0MP | 33.0MP |
| Video | None | 8K/30p, 4K/60p, C4K/60p | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | Manual focus only (rangefinder coupled) | Phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | None | 5.5-stop IBIS | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 15fps | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | 700 shots (CIPA) | 380 shots (CIPA) | ~580 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 530g body only | 743g | 659g body only |
| Dimensions | 138.6 × 80.0 × 38.5mm | 130.0 × 80.3 × 91.0mm | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Optical rangefinder (0.73× magnification) | 0.787" OLED EVF, 5.76M dots | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 2.3" fixed TFT LCD | 3.0" fixed touchscreen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica M-mount | Fixed Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II + 64GB internal storage | Single SD UHS-II | Dual slots: CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.1, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
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