Leica’s third-generation premium compact digital camera has landed within the type of the fixed-lens Leica Q3, and it would simply be Leica’s most compelling digital camera to this point. 

The successor to the Leica Q2, the Q3 stays true to the rangefinder specialist’s minimalist heritage, however sports activities a number of the most superior options for photograph and video I’ve seen in a Leica digital camera. 

It’s a complete improve, with new and up to date options too plentiful to unpack right here. Highlights embody its full-frame 60.3MP sensor, 8K video and tilt-touchscreen – which is a primary for Leica in its digital rangefinder lineup. On paper, the Q3 units the bar for premium compact cameras – let’s check out why.

Leica’s most versatile sensor but

• 60.3MP full-frame sensor 
• ‘Digital zoom’ extends the 28mm f/1.7 lens to 90mm
• Digital picture stabilization
• ISO 50-100,000

The 60.3MP full-frame sensor initially discovered within the Leica M11 has made its method into the Q3, which may very well be trigger for trepidation given how unforgiving that lens is with focusing errors or digital camera shake. I’d have beloved the Q3 to characteristic in-body picture stabilization, nevertheless it solely has digital stabilization. Hopefully it nonetheless goes some method to mitigating digital camera shake, and I will discover out throughout a full overview of the digital camera. 

The 9,520 x 6,336 pixel decision quantities to a whopping 13 million extra pixels on this third-gen fixed-lens road shooter than in its predecessor, and make it probably the most versatile digital camera within the collection but.

A ‘digital zoom’ could be utilized on the contact of a button, which successfully crops into the body, leaping between prolonged focal lengths from the mounted 28mm to cowl 35mm, 50mm, 75mm and 90mm settings. The Q2 maxes out on the 75mm setting as a result of it has fewer pixels, plus the like-for-like digital zoom settings are higher-resolution within the Q3 – a double win for the Q3. And whereas it might seem restricted, the Q3’s mounted 28mm f/1.7 lens is definitely moderately versatile when mixed with the high-resolution sensor. 

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When capturing on the uncropped extensive angle 28mm focal size, the total 60.3MP decision could be decreased to 36.5MP or 18.6MP, and by doing so the efficiency of the digital camera is improved. As an example, the max burst price within the steady drive mode could be bolstered as much as 15fps.

We nonetheless have the super-sharp Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH lens as discovered on the Q2, with 11.8-inch / 30cm minimal focus distance that may be decreased to six.7-inch / 17cm within the macro setting. For those who select the macro setting, open up the aperture totally and crop into body utilizing one of many extra telephoto settings, then it’s attainable to get an inexpensive macro impact. The sensor and lens are one heck of a partnership. 

Conventional rangefinder with a contemporary twist

• 8K video is double the Q2’s video decision
• Improved phase-detection autofocus
• Tilt-touchscreen is a primary
• Non-obligatory wi-fi charging dock

Excessive-resolution video and a 315-point hybrid part detection autofocus aren’t essentially what you’d anticipate to be listening to about when contemplating a conventional rangefinder Leica digital camera, however the Q3 is a basic minimalist digital camera with some severe energy beneath the hood.

Video is just not one thing that Leica-ites are recognized for, both, however that doesn’t cease Leica from kitting out the Q3 with some severe video grunt that features 8K / 30p and ProRes RAW format recording.

Battery life is a moderately modest 350 pictures, however the Q3 presents a number of choices for charging the battery, together with wi-fi charging utilizing a brand new (and non-compulsory additional) 10W Charging Pad, along with USB-C which can also be new this time round. The charging pad is a bit like an electrical toothbrush dock, which isn’t precisely groundbreaking, however title me one other digital camera (as distinct from a smartphone) that gives such a characteristic. 

Saving probably the most radical (for Leica) until final, is the brand new touchscreen design – it tilts! On the rumor stage, I wrote about how this anticipated tilt-screen is a giant bonus for road images as a result of it makes waist-level capturing all the better. The decision has additionally been upped to 1.84m dots, as has the EVF decision, to a really respectable 5.76m dots with 120fps refresh price. These are all notable and properly obtained updates to what was already a good Leica Q2.

First impressions

At 743g with battery included, and a depth of 92mm from the rear of the digital camera to the entrance of the lens, you received’t be sliding the Leica Q3 right into a pocket. However it’s all the pieces a premium compact digital camera must be: highly effective, weather-sealed (IP-52 licensed), feature-rich, and with a flexible sensor and stuck lens pairing. It’s additionally Leica’s most compelling digital camera ever and – whereas a severe funding – is affordable worth… in Leica’s world. I am super-excited to share an in-depth overview with you quickly.