Decision tools · Compare
Q3 vs A1
Quick take: The Q3 has the highest resolution at 60MP.
16 specs side by side·15 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.
Sony
A1 2021
Best for Professional sport, wildlife, portrait & hybrid shooting
£4199
new today at Wex Photo Video
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
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.
A1 — Professional Sport, Wildlife, Portrait & Hybrid Shooting: 50MP, 30fps, 8K — the Sony A1 is the most complete professional camera ever made.
Who should buy what
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
A1 (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional photographers who need resolution and speed without compromise
- Sports and wildlife photographers demanding the absolute fastest Sony
- Studio and fashion photographers who also shoot sport or events
- A9 III or A7R V owners who want a single body that does everything
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Q3Leica · 2023 | A1Sony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £5,650 | £4,199Best |
| Sensor | 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 60.0MPBest | 50.1MP |
| Video | 8K/30p, 4K/60p, C4K/60p | 8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points |
| Stabilisation | Optical stabilisation in the lens (no IBIS) | IBIS — up to 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 15fps | 30fps electronic with full AF/AEBest |
| Battery Life | 380 shots (CIPA) | ~430 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 658g (body only)Best | 737g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 130.0 × 80.3 × 91.0mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.787" OLED EVF, 5.76M dots | EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Fixed Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.1, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, Ethernet, HDMI |
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
Q3
A1
Portrait
5.0/10
8.2/10
Street
7.2/10
6.1/10
Travel
5.9/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
6.4/10
7.9/10
Filmmaking
5.4/10
7.8/10
Documentary
6.1/10
7.6/10
Landscape
7.7/10
7.6/10
Casual
4.4/10
4.8/10
Food
6.7/10
7.4/10
Macro
4.7/10
7.3/10
Architecture
7.8/10
7.9/10
Astrophotography
5.7/10
6.8/10
Fun & simple
3.9/10
—
Sports & Action
—
8.8/10
Wildlife
—
8.7/10
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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