Upgrade Guide
Leica Q3 Monochrom→Leica Q
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Skip it
The Q offers little measurable spec improvement over the Q3 Monochrom. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution24MP (down from 60MP — optimised for low light)
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
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StabilisationIBIS not present in new body
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 | Q3 Monochrom | Q | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.5 | ||
| Street | -0.6 | ||
| Travel | +1.2 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +0.4 | ||
| Filmmaking | — | ||
| Documentary | -3.0 | ||
| Landscape | -2.9 | ||
| Casual | +0.7 | ||
| Food | -0.1 | ||
| Macro | -2.2 | ||
| Architecture | -3.1 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.1 | ||
| Fun & simple | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Q3 Monochrom | Q | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £5,900 | £1,999 | |
| Released | 2025 | 2015 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 60MP full-frame CMOS, monochrome (no colour filter array) | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | |
| Resolution | 60MP | 24MP | ↓ |
| Video | 8K/30p, C4K/60p 10-bit, ProRes 422 HQ (FHD) | 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF with face, eye, body and animal (beta) detection | Contrast-detect AF, 49 AF fields, face detection | |
| Stabilisation | Digital stabilisation (Visual compensation); no IBIS or optical IS | No stabilisation | |
| Burst Rate | 15fps (5fps with AF per frame) | 10fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | 302 shots (CIPA) | ~270 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 746g (with battery) | 640g (with battery and card) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Not weather sealed | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.79x | EVF, 3.68M dots, 0.68× magnification | |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots | |
| Mount | Fixed Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH | Fixed Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II | Single SD UHS-I slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See Q3 Monochrom and Q next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Q against your specific genres — not just specs.
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