Upgrade Guide
Leica Q→Leica Q3 Monochrom
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
→
Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the Q. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the Q3 Monochrom
-
Resolution60MP vs 24MP (+36MP)
-
Weather sealingAdded — fully sealed body
-
StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
-
Burst rate15fps (5fps with AF per frame) vs 10fps
-
Generation10 years newer (2025 vs 2015)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | Q | Q3 Monochrom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.5 | ||
| Street | +0.6 | ||
| Travel | -1.2 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -0.4 | ||
| Documentary | +3.0 | ||
| Landscape | +2.9 | ||
| Casual | -0.7 | ||
| Food | +0.1 | ||
| Macro | +2.2 | ||
| Architecture | +3.1 | ||
| Astrophotography | +0.1 | ||
| Filmmaking | — | ||
| Fun & simple | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Q | Q3 Monochrom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £5,900 | |
| Released | 2015 | 2025 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 60MP full-frame CMOS, monochrome (no colour filter array) | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 60MP | ↑ |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 8K/30p, C4K/60p 10-bit, ProRes 422 HQ (FHD) | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, 49 AF fields, face detection | Contrast-detect AF with face, eye, body and animal (beta) detection | |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | Digital stabilisation (Visual compensation); no IBIS or optical IS | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 15fps (5fps with AF per frame) | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | 302 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 640g (with battery and card) | 746g (with battery) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Yes | ↑ |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.68M dots, 0.68× magnification | OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.79x | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.84M dots | |
| 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 |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See Q and Q3 Monochrom next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Q3 Monochrom against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the Q
Related buying guides
Camera family history