Upgrade Guide
Leica Q→Leica Leica SL3
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 Leica SL3
-
Resolution60MP vs 24MP (+36MP)
-
Weather sealingAdded — fully sealed body
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StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
-
Burst rate30fps electronic vs 10fps
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Battery life410 shots (CIPA) vs ~270 shots (CIPA)
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Generation9 years newer (2024 vs 2015)
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Q | Leica SL3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street | — | ||
| Travel | -5.0 | ||
| Portrait | +2.0 | ||
| Landscape | +2.0 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +5.0 | ||
| Wildlife | — | ||
| Sports & Action | — | ||
| Wedding & Events | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Q | Leica SL3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £6,499 | |
| Released | 2015 | 2024 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 60MP | ↑ |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 8K/30p, 4K/60p, Apple ProRes | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, 49 AF fields, face detection | Phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | |
| Stabilisation | None | 7.5-stop IBIS | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 30fps electronic | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | 410 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 640g (with battery and card) | 875g body only | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | ↑ |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.68M dots, 0.68× magnification | 0.78" OLED EVF, 5.76M dots | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.2" fixed touchscreen | |
| Mount | Fixed Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH | Leica L-mount | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual SD UHS-II |
Compare side-by-side
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Other upgrades from the Q
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Camera family history