Fuji X100VI XT5 vs Q3 28

[student]

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On 1/6/2025 at 7:48 PM, janf85 said:

Ні,

I would like to hear your opinion.

I have been with Fuji for 3 years and am very happy. I am a hobby photographer and mainly use it to document my family's life.

I will soon have 2 children and I like travel, portrait and street photography. My favorite focal lengths are 28 and 40mm.

I photograph in RAW and JPEG - but I like to use SOOC

Jpeg - and they are really great on the Fuji.

I own:

Fuji X100 VI with WCL

X-t5

XF 18 1.4 LM WR

Viltrox 27 1.2

XF 35 1.4 r

Sigma 56 1.4

Viltrox 75 1.2

I was lucky enough to get a used Leica Q3 28 in perfect condition from a dealer. For only 4635 EUR.

I wanted to at least test it once. And I'm really excited about it. The image sharpness is brilliant. The colors are great. The bokeh, even with a 35mm crop, is better and more beautiful than with the X100.

Even the SOOC JPEGs are great, as the Q3 supports the Leica look (I really like the chrome look).

I take the X100VI with me everywhere (including on vacation) and I like the compact size. I usually have a small sling bag for it.

The image quality of the Q3 is beyond any doubt. Even when cropping to 35 or 50mm, the Q3 is superior to the x100. However, if I screw the Viltrox 27 1.2 onto my X-T5, l think the Leica comes up short - even in low light. A sling bag is then no longer sufficient.

My idea is to keep the Q3 and sell all my Fuji gear. Then I would get about the same price as the Q3. It's not an option for me to keep the Q3 AND a Fuji (cost). What I also see as a problem is that with the Q3 you always have a very expensive camera with you and the fear of damage and theft is always there.

I'm really undecided. Such a "good" price for the Q3... Of course I have to know for myself in the end but I wanted to hear what you think about it.

Greetings Jan

 

As a Q3 owner, the thought of buying a Fuji never occurred to me. Your post though has a point, and I for one cannot offer an informed opinion. You have had some advice from those that own both. Now in case you had also sought views from a Fuji user site, it would be most interesting to know the balance of opinion offered there

[BradS]

On 1/6/2025 at 6:48 AM, janf85 said:

...

I have been with Fuji for 3 years and am very happy.

I will soon have 2 children

...

I was lucky enough to get a used Leica Q3 28 in perfect condition ... for only 4635 EUR.

...

I take the X100VI with me everywhere

...

My idea is to keep the Q3 and sell all my Fuji gear. . It's not an option for me to keep the Q3 AND a Fuji

 

I'm really undecided. Such a "good" price for the Q3...

 

 

You have a second child on the way. You bought an expensive camera that you do not need and that you cannot afford, on impulse simply because "it was a really good price".  You get home, and you're all excited and your young wife points out that the really good price is the equivalent of 9 months of groceries ... a big part of being a father is taking care of your family. Often, that means putting their needs first and forgoing your wants. Good luck. You got a long and, sometimes difficult road ahead of you.

 

[M11 for me]

vor 5 Minuten schrieb BradS:

 

You have a second child on the way. You bought an expensive camera that you do not need and that you cannot afford, on impulse simply because "it was a really good price".  You get home, and you're all excited and your young wife points out that the really good price is the equivalent of 9 months of groceries ... a big part of being a father is taking care of your family. Often, that means putting their needs first and forgoing your wants. Good luck. You got a long and, sometimes difficult road ahead of you.

 

This is probably the best advice you can give to a mixed up person.

[Chris W]

If you love the Q sell everything else.

I had an original Q. I took it to South Africa and Mozambique and didn't even think about it.

I did tape over the red dot. Most street criminals don't know Leica specifically. Of course if they see a gorgeous camera around your neck. But I think they also look for Canon/Nikon with a chunky lens.

I just travelled through Europe, all across America and down to Australia with an uber expensive Hasselblad X1DII and it didn't stop me from taking street photographs.

Of course I was very aware of my surroundings in America, but I would be with or without camera. Anywhere not deprived or druggy, I wouldn't think twice about walking around with a Q.  It doesn't sound like you specialise in seedy downtown areas. So....NO problem.

[Chris W]

You are likely to get pro Leica opinions here and pro Fuji opinions on a fuji forum.

I'm commenting on the safety aspect, having just been on the road for three months with an expensive (and bulky) Hasselblad.

I once owned an X100T, a Fuji XT4 and a Q (1) and thought the Q files were visibly nicer than the Fuji. I only sold the Q because I wasn't a fan of 28mm.

[Simone_DF]

Use the Q for a couple of months, side to side with your Fujis, then decide. Both cameras are excellent and will produce outstanding results in good hands, so keep the camera you like to use the most. You only live once.

[Taloan]

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One moth ago I swapped my X100VI and X-Pro3 and some lenses for a Leica Q3.

The reason was: i was craving for several years for a Leica Qx, and tried all cheaper alternatives. Sony with 35/1,4 or 28/2. Fuji with 18/1,4 or else X100V, X00VI, Pana GX9 with 15/1,7.

But I couldn't find peace. Because all the other solutions weren't a real Qx
Now I have one. I've reached the top of the camera olymp and I have to admit: even a Leica is just a camera. And if my photos don't turn out well now, I have no excuse that I need a better camera, because there is no better...
But to be fair: every photo I've taken with the Q3 so far I could have taken with the Fuji and the 18/1.4 same way.

But for me it was the Q3 because no other camera on the market fulfilled all these aspects: in this compact format, full-frame sensor, f1.7, Ibis, folding display, MF (like a real MF with scale) and AF in one lens, macro, aperture ring, rangefinder-style... if canon would have sold a Q3, i would have bought it too.

For me it is because of the features, not because it is "a Leica".

 

Edited January 7 by Taloan

[Dazzajl]

39 minutes ago, Taloan said:

But to be fair: every photo I've taken with the Q3 so far I could have taken with the Fuji and the 18/1.4 same way.

How much have you enjoyed shooting with the Q3 though? That is a huge part of the process and shouldn't be overlooked when choosing our kit.

[janf85]

Hello, I have been very interested in your opinions and perspectives and would like to thank you. In the meantime, I have tried out a few things and taken the cameras out and compared them.

I realize that it shouldn't always be about camera equipment. You should concentrate on the essentials and the actual hobby that you enjoy. Nevertheless, this decision was important for me because a lot of money is at stake.

I realize that with my xt5 and the 18 1.4 I have very good image quality in my pocket. The q3 is a lot smaller, however.

Nevertheless, I decided today to keep the combination of xt5 and x100 and return the leica.

This setup simply offers me the best flexibility. If I want something small and light, I take the x100 with me. I simply love this camera. The integrated flash and the nd filter are also not to be sniffed at.

The xt5 with its many lenses also offers me many options when I need to be heavier. And - I like the different simulations

Thank you again

[Miltz]

Congrats on your new purchase.

My question is if you have all these cameras why not decide for yourself, rather than let others decide for you. Everyone will have an opinion on what’s better, the one that should matter is yours and what you like best.

[janf85]

vor 6 Minuten schrieb Miltz:

Congrats on your new purchase.

My question is if you have all these cameras why not decide for yourself, rather than let others decide for you. Everyone will have an opinion on what’s better, the one that should matter is yours and what you like best.

Thx. You’re right. It was my decision. You guys have just supported and helped me. 

[FrozenInTime]

As a long time M and former SL2-S and CL shooter, I keep looking in on the Q forums as the concept of a compact EVF leica is very appealing.

However right now, as pocket-ability is the main thing I want when not using the Ms, the X100 series still seems like the camera Leica should have made.

@janf85 I think you did the right thing, experiencing each camera to find the best fit for your needs. Keeping the Fujis, the SP-3 square printer, for spontaneous direct from camera prints to share, is a fun accessory.

[discoman5]

On 1/6/2025 at 9:58 AM, jefe said:

Hi Jan,

I had the original Q, then bought Q2M and the Q2. Looking at Q3. They are brilliant cameras ..... masterpieces of design, ergonomics and performance. The 28 Summi is a dream. The size factor makes it a joy for travel. If

I anticipate going into dodgy areas, I black out the red dot and other Leica identifiers with black electrician tape. I also insure the camera against all hazards including theft for a modest annual charge. Get the Q3. You will never look back.

would you please share how to you insure the camera against all hazards/theft etc ? Thanks 

[JoshuaR]

8 hours ago, janf85 said:

Hello, I have been very interested in your opinions and perspectives and would like to thank you. In the meantime, I have tried out a few things and taken the cameras out and compared them.

I realize that it shouldn't always be about camera equipment. You should concentrate on the essentials and the actual hobby that you enjoy. Nevertheless, this decision was important for me because a lot of money is at stake.

I realize that with my xt5 and the 18 1.4 I have very good image quality in my pocket. The q3 is a lot smaller, however.

Nevertheless, I decided today to keep the combination of xt5 and x100 and return the leica.

This setup simply offers me the best flexibility. If I want something small and light, I take the x100 with me. I simply love this camera. The integrated flash and the nd filter are also not to be sniffed at.

The xt5 with its many lenses also offers me many options when I need to be heavier. And - I like the different simulations

Thank you again

I am gobsmacked. This is a level of rationality that we simply never see on the forum. It’s like you’re the only non-drunk person at a big party!

Congratulations on your decision, it sounds like the best course!

[jmschuh]

Am 7.1.2025 um 02:00 schrieb Archiver:

Just to clarify - for you, the image quality of the XT5 with the Viltrox 27/1.2 is better than the Q3...

 

 

Not at low ISO values and certainly not at higher ISO values. Even the green tones produced by a sensor with an X-Trans color filter do not reach the level of clarity and resolution of a Q3. Not to mention the resolution advantage of the Q3.

The wish is the father of the thought, but physics cannot be cheated. 

 

 

[JNK100]

4 hours ago, jmschuh said:

 

 

Not at low ISO values and certainly not at higher ISO values. Even the green tones produced by a sensor with an X-Trans color filter do not reach the level of clarity and resolution of a Q3. Not to mention the resolution advantage of the Q3.

The wish is the father of the thought, but physics cannot be cheated. 

 

 

I agree . I had an XH2 with the same sensor and Fuji primes which are better than the Chinese lenses. The Q3 is noticeably better as physics dictates as you say.

[ianforber]

On 1/8/2025 at 8:50 AM, janf85 said:

Thx. You’re right. It was my decision. You guys have just supported and helped me. 

Don’t worry, we’ll still be here when you next have a desire for a Leica. The urge will win one day!