Yet another…. Help me decide q3 vs q2

[ETrucco]

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Hi folks

So I’ve borrowed a q3 and what an amazing camera.  I have to get one but spending well pretty much 2 more kills me (psychologically speaking, yes trying to be mindful bah).

Now I am sure the 60mp is  overkill for me but the fact that you can zoom and see everything so sharp and perfect, wow.

 

Anyhow, I was impressed with 3, could I be happy with the 2?  Biggest concern is for example the person who loaned me the q said the 2 had low light issue and his favs are 116/q3.

 

I appreciate the flip screen but it ain’t a detrimental.  The evf on the 3 is amazing but I guess the one on the 2 should be fine? LCD?

For reference I mostly shoot an xpro3 with manual lenses (yes some Leica) and an XT3 although that hasn’t seen action in a while.

 

thanks!

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[jaapv]

I don't think that the Q2 has a low light issue, but the Q3  is clearly a newer generation sensor.  There is about ½ an EV value difference. The main advantage of the Q3 is  the higher resolution which allows you to crop in deeper to longer equivalent focal lengths.

 

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[Chris W]

Never held a Q2 or 3, but I found the original Q was amazing. I just didn't want to be shooting 28mm all the time. The Q2 'fixed' that by inferring more mpx and the ability to crop.

I guess you can afford to, always buy the latest version, but I imagine you'd still love the Q2.

[ETrucco]

6 minutes ago, jaapv said:

I don't think that the Q2 has a low light issue, but the Q3  is clearly a newer generation sensor.  There is about ½ an EV value difference. The main advantage of the Q3 is  the higher resolution which allows you to crop in deeper to longer equivalent focal lengths.

 

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I don’t believe I’d crop more than 35.  I love 28mm.  My other go to is 50 but I guess I’d be missing the compression from a true 50mm not sure how much I’d use it.

 

is image quality from both sensors the same?

[ETrucco]

5 minutes ago, Chris W said:

Never held a Q2 or 3, but I found the original Q was amazing. I just didn't want to be shooting 28mm all the time. The Q2 'fixed' that by inferring more mpx and the ability to crop.

I guess you can afford to, always buy the latest version, but I imagine you'd still love the Q2.

Heart says go have a blast get the 3.  Mind and wallet say get the 2.  Hell the wallet says get the original (but I am sure I might feel the evf is not up to par)

Edited August 27 by ETrucco

[jaapv]

Sorry, the compression argument is false. Compression AKA perspective depends on the relative position of the camera and the subject, not on focal length. 

[ravinj]

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If price is a concern, go with the Q2. I have used all flavors of the Q and IQ from any of those is exemplary.

Used Q2s in excellent condition can be had for around $3k or less. 

[Dazzajl]

1 hour ago, ETrucco said:

Anyhow, I was impressed with 3, could I be happy with the 2?  Biggest concern is for example the person who loaned me the q said the 2 had low light issue and his favs are 116/q3.

Speaking 100% as a viewer here and not a user, that's how it appears to me. The original has a beautiful look that always appeals and the 3 has the most modern tech, resolution, flip screen etc. The 2 does seem to have a much less attractive noise pattern at high ISO than the others and is, in a sense, the worst of both worlds. But even the worst of those worlds is still an amazing camera of course.

[ETrucco]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

Sorry, the compression argument is false. Compression AKA perspective depends on the relative position of the camera and the subject, not on focal length. 

I mean I tried it yesterday with a 75 and the crop at similar frames and all background subjects seemed more distant in the crop but by no means am I saying your wrong.  Just that I haven’t really gotten to the point where I can say it’s the same .

[ETrucco]

52 minutes ago, ravinj said:

If price is a concern, go with the Q2. I have used all flavors of the Q and IQ from any of those is exemplary.

Used Q2s in excellent condition can be had for around $3k or less. 

Where can I find one under 3k!!??

[JNK100]

2 hours ago, ETrucco said:

Hi folks

So I’ve borrowed a q3 and what an amazing camera.  I have to get one but spending well pretty much 2 more kills me (psychologically speaking, yes trying to be mindful bah).

Now I am sure the 60mp is  overkill for me but the fact that you can zoom and see everything so sharp and perfect, wow.

 

Anyhow, I was impressed with 3, could I be happy with the 2?  Biggest concern is for example the person who loaned me the q said the 2 had low light issue and his favs are 116/q3.

 

I appreciate the flip screen but it ain’t a detrimental.  The evf on the 3 is amazing but I guess the one on the 2 should be fine? LCD?

For reference I mostly shoot an xpro3 with manual lenses (yes some Leica) and an XT3 although that hasn’t seen action in a while.

 

thanks!

The Q3 is the better camera but the Q2 is excellent too. It's down to you to decide if it worth the extra.

[ravinj]

2 hours ago, ETrucco said:

Where can I find one under 3k!!??

Fmforum.com is one source. Prices are always negotiable. 

Lensrentals.com also has a few  in the $3k range and they recently had a coupon for 15% off. I don't know if they ship to where you are, but it is a very reliable source and their used equipment ratings are very very conservative. 

You can also try find Tim Lei on Facebook or Instagram. He is located in Canada but ships worldwide. Very reliable person for Leica gear - you can tell him your price and what you want and he will let you know what he can do.

For reference, I sold my Q2 last year for $2,600 - cash deal met the buyer in person.

Edited August 27 by ravinj

[F-train]

Can you afford the Q3? Go for it and don’t look back.

If not, the Q2 is a great camera as well. Don’t look back as well.

[LocalHero1953]

I had the Q2 and now have the Q3 43. The only reason I changed was to get the 43mm lens. The flip screen was a bonus, and the additional pixels made no noticeable difference compared to the focal length change - I don't crop as much with the 43, although I occasionally (very occasionally) miss the 28. The Q3 is a stop or so better in low light, but I never felt held back by the Q2, especially with modern AI Denoise tools. The Q3 AF is better - still not great, but OK for most family/social/travel. What I miss most is the Reporter Edition colours and aramid wrap on my Q2. The grey-black of the Q3 just has no style.

Edited August 28 by LocalHero1953

[MAFORLIFE]

I might be crazy, but even if the Q2 was more expensive than the Q3 I would still choose the Q2. Two main reasons are: 

- The image rendering. I prefer the Q2 images to the Sonyish Q3 files. 

- The flip screen. I don't need it and dislike its bulk. The Q2 slimmer profile is more enjoyable to hold. 

The only thing I loved and miss from my time with the Q3 is the USB-C charging. 

[RQ44]

If its about the cash, Q2. If you have the money, its obvious a Q3 is the choice here, no questions.

[MAFORLIFE]

1 hour ago, RQ44 said:

If its about the cash, Q2. If you have the money, its obvious a Q3 is the choice here, no questions.

Like I wrote before, not obvious for everyone. I much prefer the Q2 in every regard except the USB C charging. Even the AF is not a sufficient improvement in the Q3 (for my use case at least). 

[stuny]

Don't worry about the cropping advantage of the Q3.  The two images below are with the ancient, original Q at a restaurant near Tulum Mexico nearly 2 years ago.  One is the full frame, and the second is the crop.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[Photon42]

On 8/27/2025 at 12:43 PM, ETrucco said:

Hi folks

So I’ve borrowed a q3 and what an amazing camera.  I have to get one but spending well pretty much 2 more kills me (psychologically speaking, yes trying to be mindful bah).

Now I am sure the 60mp is  overkill for me but the fact that you can zoom and see everything so sharp and perfect, wow.

 

Anyhow, I was impressed with 3, could I be happy with the 2?  Biggest concern is for example the person who loaned me the q said the 2 had low light issue and his favs are 116/q3.

 

I appreciate the flip screen but it ain’t a detrimental.  The evf on the 3 is amazing but I guess the one on the 2 should be fine? LCD?

For reference I mostly shoot an xpro3 with manual lenses (yes some Leica) and an XT3 although that hasn’t seen action in a while.

 

thanks!

I would consider the Q3 the better camera overall. The sensor is definitely better than the Q2 and for Street photography and similar stuff the flip-out screen is quite a difference. If you can find a deal on a Q3, it should not be crazy more expensive than a used Q2. However: Any Q is better than no Q at all.

[helged]

On 8/27/2025 at 5:21 PM, ravinj said:

Fmforum.com is one source. Prices are always negotiable. 

Lensrentals.com also has a few  in the $3k range and they recently had a coupon for 15% off. I don't know if they ship to where you are, but it is a very reliable source and their used equipment ratings are very very conservative. 

You can also try find Tim Lei on Facebook or Instagram. He is located in Canada but ships worldwide. Very reliable person for Leica gear - you can tell him your price and what you want and he will let you know what he can do.

For reference, I sold my Q2 last year for $2,600 - cash deal met the buyer in person.

fredmiranda.com, I presume...