Leica Q3 43 - digital camera

Leica Q3 43 digital camera

Leica Q3 with the all-new 43mm APO-Summicron f/2 ASPH lens.

This has been expected! Even when the first Q was announced, people were hoping for the same camera with a longer focal length, as the 28mm wide angle doesn't suit everyone's shooting style. Now, expectations have been met with this new Leica Q3 43. The focal length is a slightly rarer 43mm, almost like 50mm, but it gives a slightly wider view, making it more versatile. In addition, it is now easy to crop the 60-megapixel sensor to sizes equivalent to 50mm and 85mm, for example.

Otherwise, the camera is the same as the Leica Q3: fast autofocus, 5.76 million-dot OLED viewfinder, tilting touchscreen, and the latest Maestro Processor and ISO 50-100000 sensitivity range.

Sensor and autofocus

The Leica Q3 features a state-of-the-art back-illuminated 60-megapixel sensor, and this amount of data can be used to record images in three different settings. In addition, for the first time, the Maesto IV processor is used, which enables, for example, the aforementioned maximum sensitivity. We have come a long way from the days of film.

• 60 megapixels: dynamic range 14 stops, best resolution
• 36 megapixels: dynamic range 15 stops, best combination of resolution and noise
• 18 megapixels: dynamic range 15 stops, lowest noise

This setting can be made separately for DNG raw images and JPG images.

The Leica Q3 features a new phase-detection autofocus system, which also includes contrast-based autofocus, making it a modern hybrid autofocus system. Focusing is assisted by pattern recognition-based autofocus and body, face and eye detection and tracking technology. The camera focuses quickly and intelligently, and also works in low light. It just works.

In addition to autofocus, the camera has a nicely implemented manual focus , the closest and infinity focus are always in the same places, meaning the focus ring always works the same. The focus ring has a focus tab, meaning you can immediately know where the focus is by feeling it with your finger. For example, a photographer who has become familiar with the camera knows that the focus is at a certain point at two meters and with an aperture of f5.6, quick snapshots can be taken immediately. Focus adjustment can be done with one finger.

The lens is the brand new Leica 43mm APO-Summicron f/2 ASPH. According to Leica, the lens is very sharp from center to edge and the sharpness is excellent for such a high resolution. The 43mm focal length produces a field of view and natural depth of field similar to the human eye.

The full-frame sensor combined with this optics and brightness gives the image character. The image quality is of course top-notch at full aperture, and thanks to the large sensor, depth of field is manageable even at such a wide focal length.

The processor and resolution are also used for the interesting Perspective Control function. The camera recognizes the horizontal lines of buildings. The JPG image is saved with straightened lines and the DNG raw image is saved to an image editing program for straightening afterwards. This is a nice and unique feature for those interested in photographing architecture.

Refined usability

Now the outwardly visible differences to previous models begin. The touchscreen is a tilting model, meaning that pictures from a top and bottom perspective can be taken effortlessly. The screen has moved to the left and the buttons have moved to the right, and a new programmable button has been added for the thumb, meaning there are now two of them. Thanks to the change, using the camera is quick and the hand under the lens can remain in place at all times to adjust the settings - ready to shoot.

When you raise the camera to your eyes, you will notice the improved accuracy of the electronic viewfinder. The refresh rate is 120Hz, which means there is no lag in the image and you can react quickly to events, meaning that the decisive moment will not be missed.

The battery type is the new BP-SCL6 but the camera is downward compatible with the Q2 batteries. It can take around 350 photos on a single charge (according to CIPA standards, this number can be exceeded with proper use).

The Q3 now also includes a USB-C port, which was missing from previous models. This allows you to charge the battery directly in the camera and a USB-C to Lightning cable is included , meaning you can transfer images directly to an iPhone or iPad, for example. This makes it quick to transfer even large raw images for sharing.

Leica has made a very successful software for phones that allows you to update and control the camera. This can also be done wirelessly via Wifi.

The Leica Q3 is weather and dust protected to IP52 level, meaning the camera is made for tough use.

Made in Germany

This paragraph could also be put first, because the decision to purchase a Q-series camera is often made on these grounds, i.e. the moment you pick up the camera. The Leica Q3 is memorable from the first touch.

The magnesium body feels sculpted from a single piece, sturdy and unyielding. The design is very minimalist. You may not even notice the groove for your thumb, but when you hold the camera in your hand, this small detail makes the grip feel solid.

The camera has only the necessary buttons. The aperture and exposure controls are located on the top of the camera and on the lens, clearly marked but easy to adjust without looking. You can focus all your attention on the subject through the clear OLED electronic viewfinder.

When you press the shutter button, you hear the soft sound of the shutter. At this moment, the state-of-the-art sensor and Summicron lens have captured one moment. You already feel like taking another picture.

Above all, the Leica Q3 is a tool for those passionate about photography. This can be a professional's second camera when they want the most straightforward shooting experience, and on the other hand, it can also be their only camera. The operation is straightforward and smooth, and the image quality is incredibly fine. Just holding a Leica Q series camera in your hand makes you think about a new shooting trip.

And yes, this also takes video.

Made in Germany

Specifications:

• Sensor: full-frame CMOS, 60.3 megapixels
• Lens: 43mm APO-Summicron f/2 ASPH
• Image stabilization in the lens
• Closest focusing distance 60cm (26.5cm in macro mode)
• IP52 Weatherproof
  
• Sensitivity: ISO 50-100000
• New combination of phase detection and contrast focusing (PDAF + Contrast DFD)
• Continuous shooting: 10fps with mechanical shutter, 15fps with electronic shutter
• Video recording: 8K 30P with H.265 compression and FullHD ProRes 422HQ
• Viewfinder: OLED, 5.67M dots (0.79x magnification)
• Flash: hot shoe
• Filter thread: 49mm
• Display: 3" foldable touchscreen
• SDXC UHS-II compatible memory card slot
• Microphone jack and headphone jack: No
• USB-C + Micro HDMI
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE
  
• Size: 130 x 80 x 97.6mm
• Weight: 795g (with battery)