Upgrade Guide
Leica Q→Leica Q3
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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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
-
Resolution60MP vs 24MP (+36MP)
-
Weather sealingAdded — fully sealed body
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StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
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Burst rate15fps vs 10fps
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Battery life380 shots (CIPA) vs ~270 shots (CIPA)
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Generation8 years newer (2023 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +1.8 | ||
| Street | +1.0 | ||
| Travel | +1.4 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +2.7 | ||
| Documentary | +3.2 | ||
| Landscape | +3.0 | ||
| Casual | +1.2 | ||
| Food | +2.9 | ||
| Macro | +2.4 | ||
| Architecture | +3.1 | ||
| Astrophotography | +0.2 | ||
| Filmmaking | — | ||
| Fun & simple | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Q | Q3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,266 used | £5,650 | |
| Released | 2015 | 2023 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 60MP | ↑ |
| 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 | 15fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | 380 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 640g (with battery and card) | 658g (body only) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Yes | ↑ |
| 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 |
Compare side-by-side
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Get a personalised upgrade score
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Q3 against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the Q
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Camera family history