My new Leica Q3

[colonel]

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I am a big fan of the Q series, and have now upgraded to the Q3, previously having the Q2 and Q.

Disclaimer 1: please don't try this at home: The Q and Q2 are brilliant cameras. There is no need to upgrade: unless you want a particular feature; enjoy keeping Leica going; or just have money burning a hole in your pocket. Disclaimer 2: I am strictly amateur, and just take pictures to restore my karma. Look elsewhere for studio quality!

Moon over the Shard - Hand held as usual f2.8, 1/50, ISO 6400

It is important to get something out straight away. Leica generally releases digital cameras with bugs. They are normally fixed within 6 months, and after two years you tend to get new features or exceeded original specifications. Anyway, this is roughly the curve I have found. Leica is a cottage industry and that is some of the charm. My camera has firmware 1.3.

My thoughts on this camera divide into two, the upgraded feeling over the Q2 and the Q in general.

On the upgraded feeling, the two big ones which everyone talks about are the 60mp sensor and flip screen.

Spitalfields Market - f2, ISO 320

The 60mp is a big thing. It doesn't feel quite the jump over the Q2 that the Q2 was over the Q, but the extra 13mp helps with cropping, which I do alot. They also take us on the journey to the zoomless camera, where 35mm at 39mp is fine.  50mm at 19mp perhaps occasionally ? Personally the 75mm at 8mp and the 90mp at 6mp are not for me.

The BSI and new technology do make a difference. The sensor remains pin sharp and seems to have the same noise at pixel level as the Q2, which is a big achievement. What is also impressive is that the 28mm lens takes it in its stride, as if it was built with a 100mp sensor in mind.

The flip screen I use less, but for looking over walls or low down shots it is an essential. Very gladly received.

Holywell Lane Shoreditch - f4, ISO 500

There are a bundle of less talked about upgrades which are highly useful IMHO. Firstly, the USB port. Charging with the same charger as my phones and tablets, from any socket or any laptop, is tremendously useful for carrying. Only one charger and a queue  Secondly, the larger battery. On a side note, this is the first time I have ever seen a manufacturer squeeze more power into the same design (Q2 batteries can be used). The new sensor and electronics seem to suck it up, but perhaps there is more bandwidth in future for software improvements ? Thirdly the cpu, the Maestro IV. This is Leica's most advanced cpu and is only in the Q3, even the M11-P only has a Maestro III, and the Q2 was a Maestro II. It is very difficult to get the specifications. I understand the III was roughly twice the speed of the II, no idea how much better the IV is, but it is noticeable, e.g. in AF, and also gives bag of room for software updates to optimise this power. 

Blackfriars Bridge - f2.5, ISO 6400

Talking about the AF, I think it is much faster, but the big news, is the face/eye detect. IMHO this is a generation advanced over the Q2. It has been described as fidgety, but I find it easy to press the shutter with the target I want.

The video toggle button is great and the higher configurability of the controls is great, although I think the default is pretty good.

A bit disappointed that I can’t plug a microphone in. It should be possible with a USB adaptor and a software update, and I hope Leica get round to it before I buy a Ninja - annoying as I sold mine last year!

The controls are refined and very easy to use. Menu options advance and there are quite a few tabs to flick through to get to know the menu, but as usual setting up favourites is always 99% of what one needs.

Braithwaite Street, Shoreditch - f4, ISO 5000

The Q3 is screwed together very well. The mechanical controls seems a bit stiffer then the Q2 and Q, but still easy to use. I like this feeling of everything tight from the factory.

Overall, it remains a lightish compact camera. Not pocket size due to the lens, but definitely small bag. It is unobtrusive which is great for street and the leaf shutter, which you can’t get in an interchangeable lens camera, means it is so quiet that full electronic shutter is hardly needed.

The workflow is beautiful and it remains my favourite AF tool for taking photos. Generally an empirical measure based on keepers!

Phone before bed time - f1/7, ISO 500

Edited November 26, 2023 by colonel

[greg7pan]

Loved you take. 

[stuny]

Congratulations, Harold.  Enjoy the camera and keep showing us your results.

[Daniel C.1975]

Congratulations and keep on going for your karma! 

It's a great camera!

[David Wien]

Great pictures for a first day! I look forward to seeing more of your work.

David

[dem331]

I am not a Q man but I enjoyed reading your review. Much more interesting and informative than most photography site reviews. 

[kkochheiser]

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Thank you!  Still using my Q2 and Q2M but those incremental improvements are compelling.  Can't wait for a Q3M.

[Kim Dahl]

Congratulations on your Q3. You will be happy about it. Nice to read your opinion about Q3. I have "only" had the leica Q3 and not the Q or Q2, but can only confirm that it is a good camera. Thought there would be some similarities with my M camera. But it's a completely different experience. I use my Q3 much more than the M today and would buy it as the first one if I had to start over today.

 

[mcqinternational]

great intro on the Q3 I have yet to test it out many thanks .

[Wonzo]

Many thanks for this summary. Now I feel much better informed than what the Leica dealer could tell me about the new specs. Have much fun with your new camera!