Upgrade Guide
Leica Q3 Monochrom→Leica SL3
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the Q3 Monochrom. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the SL3
-
Burst rate30fps electronic vs 15fps (5fps with AF per frame)
-
Battery life410 shots (CIPA) vs 302 shots (CIPA)
Unchanged or similar
-
ResolutionSimilar (60MP)
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 | SL3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +5.5 | ||
| Street | -0.9 | ||
| Travel | +2.5 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +4.5 | ||
| Filmmaking | +1.2 | ||
| Documentary | +1.5 | ||
| Landscape | +0.2 | ||
| Casual | +2.2 | ||
| Food | +3.6 | ||
| Macro | +1.9 | ||
| Architecture | +0.4 | ||
| Astrophotography | +0.5 | ||
| Fun & simple | — | ||
| Sports & Action | — | ||
| Wildlife | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Q3 Monochrom | SL3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £5,900 | £6,499 | |
| Released | 2025 | 2024 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 60MP full-frame CMOS, monochrome (no colour filter array) | 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS | |
| Resolution | 60MP | 60MP | |
| Video | 8K/30p, C4K/60p 10-bit, ProRes 422 HQ (FHD) | 8K/30p, 4K/60p, Apple ProRes | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF with face, eye, body and animal (beta) detection | Phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | |
| Stabilisation | Digital stabilisation (Visual compensation); no IBIS or optical IS | 7.5-stop IBIS | |
| Burst Rate | 15fps (5fps with AF per frame) | 30fps electronic | ↑ |
| Battery Life | 302 shots (CIPA) | 410 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 746g (with battery) | 875g (body only) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.79x | 0.78" OLED EVF, 5.76M dots | |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | |
| Mount | Fixed Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH | Leica L-mount | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See Q3 Monochrom and SL3 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 SL3 against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the Q3 Monochrom
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Camera family history