Decision tools · Compare
Q vs Q3
Quick take: The Q3 has the highest resolution at 60MP; the Q is the most affordable; only the Q3 is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·13 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
Q — Street, Travel & Fine Art Photography: The camera that redefined luxury compact photography — a full-frame sensor, the finest 28mm compact lens available, and a shooting feel that is uniquely Leica.
Q3 — Travel, Street & Premium Compact Shooters: 60MP, Summilux 28mm, IBIS, and weather sealing — the Q3 is the ultimate fixed-lens camera for those who can justify the cost.
Who should buy what
Q (2015)
is the right camera for you if…
- Street and documentary photographers who want a full-frame fixed-lens camera with iconic character
- Travel photographers who want the finest compact image quality available
- Leica enthusiasts who want an autofocus alternative to the M system
- Photographers who value build quality and shooting experience as much as spec sheets
Q3 (2023)
is the right camera for you if…
- Photographers who want a fixed-lens full-frame camera with no compromises
- Q2 owners upgrading to articulating screen and improved autofocus
- Travel photographers who want one premium compact that does everything
- Street and documentary photographers who want Leica quality without changing lenses
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | QLeica · 2015 | Q3Leica · 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,266 usedBest | £5,650 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 60.0MPBest |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 8K/30p, 4K/60p, C4K/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, 49 AF fields, face detection | Phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | Optical stabilisation in the lens (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 15fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | 380 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 640g (with battery and card)Best | 658g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 130.0 × 80.0 × 93.5mm | 130.0 × 80.3 × 91.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.68M dots, 0.68× magnification | 0.787" OLED EVF, 5.76M dots |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Fixed Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH | Fixed Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | USB-C 3.1, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Q
Q3
Portrait
3.2/10
5.0/10
Street
6.2/10
7.2/10
Travel
4.5/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
3.7/10
6.4/10
Documentary
2.9/10
6.1/10
Landscape
4.7/10
7.7/10
Casual
3.2/10
4.4/10
Food
3.8/10
6.7/10
Macro
2.3/10
4.7/10
Architecture
4.7/10
7.8/10
Astrophotography
5.5/10
5.7/10
Filmmaking
—
5.4/10
Fun & simple
—
3.9/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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