Leica’s premium full-frame compact gains a 60MP sensor and a tilting screen. Andy Westlake takes an initial look
Screen
The 3in touchscreen now tilts up and down for waist-level and overhead shooting.
Lens
Leica has re-used the same optically stabilised 28mm f/1.7 lens as on previous Q models.
Power
A beefed-up BP-SCL6 battery promises 350 shots per charge and can be charged either externally, or via USB.
Connectors
Leica has added USB-C and micro-HDMI ports on the side, for power delivery and connecting to a monitor. But there’s no microphone input.
Leica’s Q-series premium compacts are unique on the market, by combining a fixed prime lens with a full-frame sensor. Sony and Zeiss have previously dabbled in the same sector, but it seems that only Leica has the cachet to sustain a genuine series. Following on from the Q of 2015 and the Q2 from 2019, the new Leica Q3 brings a perhaps unexpected slew of updates and new features. Chief among them are a higher-resolution sensor, a tilting screen, and significantly upgraded autofocus.
Let’s look at these in more detail. Firstly, the Q3 uses a variant of the excellent 60MP BSI-CMOS sensor that we previously saw in the Leica M11 rangefinder, although here, it includes phase detection elements for autofocus. In concert with the Maestro IV processor, the sensor supports a standard sensitivity range of ISO 100-100,000, plus a ‘pulled’ ISO 50 setting, and enables continuous shooting at up to 15 frames per second. As on the M11, you don’t have to shoot in full resolution all the time, but can also record both JPEG and raw files at either 36MP or 18MP.
The higher sensor resolution also facilitates a further digital crop mode. Along with the 35mm, 50mm and 75mm equivalent options already on the Q2, there’s a new 90mm setting which gives 6MP images. The image area you’re going to get is indicated by a frameline in the viewfinder, with the camera recording a cropped JPEG file and a full-resolution uncropped raw image alongside.
Another big update comes with regards to video, with the camera now supporting 8K recording at 30fps, 4K at 60fps, or Full HD at 120fps. Leica has added an HDMI output for connecting to an external monitor or recorder, and a USB-C port for power. Other advanced video features include ProRes recording, Leica’s L-log profile, and LUT compatibility. All of which makes it a surprise that there’s no microphone input for higher-quality sound – Leica suggests you can use an external recorder.
