Leica Q3 43 APO: They Actually Did It
Why this will be Leica's most popular camera yet
I didn’t think would happen. I’m holding the brand-new Leica Q3 with the a fixed 43mm F2.0 lens. And if that weren’t enough, this lens also happens to be an APO Summicron design.
Let’s say you didn’t just pause the video to place a pre-order because you wholly understand the gravity of what I just said… What does any of this mean and why is it a big deal? Well, the Leica Q series is this fixed-lens, luxury compact camera that been around for nearly a decade. It rose in popularity because of its unique design, ease of use, and premium 28mm F1.7 lens. Oh, and it might still be the most popular-selling camera in Leica’s current lineup.
Here’s the thing, this camera has always had this Summilux 28mm F1.7 lens and if we wanna split hairs, the images often felt like something that was just a tiny bit wider than an actual 28mm perspective. But that never stopped this camera from being a hit. It mimicked the perspective people were getting accustomed to with smartphones while delivering significantly better images. However, there has always been this vocal group that wanted a tighter focal length that could tell a different story. And holy shit, it’s actually here.
This Leica Q3 expands the lineup with a new focal length: 43mm. Why 43? Why not 35? Why not 50? If you’re asking me, it’s an opportunity to create differentiation in the market while respecting the history of this camera line. Oh, and 43mm happens sit almost perfectly between 35 and 50.
Key Specifications
60MP full-frame BSI sensor with triple resolution
Summicron APO 43mm F2.0 lens with macro functionality
New grey leatherette wrap
Maestro IV processor with Leica Looks support
200 - 100,000 native ISO
Optical image stabilization and leaf shutter
8K and 4K recording
IP52 weather resistance
So we have this iconic camera with a fresh perspective. That would’ve been enough to sell out of pre-orders but the designers didn’t stop there. This version has a APO-Summicron design with an aperture of F2.0. Which basically means that this lens trades a little bit of light-gathering ability for noticeably better glass. The result is a lens that—at least on paper—has better micro-contrast, better colour reproductions, and next to no chromatic aberration. This lens component has been custom designed and implemented while the camera retains almost the exact same physical dimensions as the 28mm model.
I should also mention that this new Leica Q3 has a grey leatherette instead of black and has a slightly modified hood design. There are some other, more subtle changes that I’ll cover but these are major changes with this camera.
Understanding the Q
This is a premium camera that commands a much higher asking price than most cameras on the market so what does that price get you?
Namely, you have an elegant, IP52-rated camera body that produces jaw-dropping images. This camera is designed and assembled in Germany and you feel that as soon as you start shooting with it. It’s not uncomfortably heavy but it definitely feels more premium than typical point-and-shoot solutions. It’s also designed in a way where you can comfortably use it wet, dusty, hot, humid, or cold environments. Even with its titling display.
There’s a 60MP BSI full-frame sensor in here with triple resolution technology. Meaning that you can capture a 60, 36, or 18 megapixel images while using the entire dimensions of the sensor. Useful for those times where you’re shooting a lot of photos in a short period of time. This isn’t the same sensor you’d find in the Leica M11 but there’s still about 14-stops of dynamic range here meaning you have a lot of room to push and pull your edit.
The Maestro IV processor is what powers this camera and allows for really fast autofocus speeds. I’ll have to test this further to see how it performs for my work but so far, it performs similar to the original Leica Q3. This processor also means that you have the ability to download Leica Looks from your phone to your camera. These are a collection of unique profiles that can be applied in the moment to your JPEG files and what I appreciate is that Leica seems to be adding unique profiles on. Relatively consistent basis.
Going back to the specs of the camera, you have a native ISO that ranges from 200 to 100,000. Macro mode can still be activated on the lens to let you focus as close as 27cm. Digital zoom can be activated on your JPEG files to crop down to a 150mm perspective (hello details). The lens still uses a leaf shutter, which with this focal length should make for some incredible portrait work. And yes, you get optical image stabilization
You can shoot photos as fast as 15 frames per second. You can attach a custom shutter release. You have the larger capacity battery. You have a 5.76M dot EVF on the left. You have all the buttons to the right. And you get tilt the LCD just as the photography gods intended.
There’s also a suite of video features to capture little slices of life but if I’m being honest, this is not a camera you invest in to shoot a lot of video. It’s a photography tool that happens to shoot some pretty good video.
In terms of ports and connections, you get USB-C and micro-HDMI for power, tethering, and video features. There’s a ridiculously faster wireless chip to transfer photos quickly to the world-class Leica Fotos app. And you can add wireless charging to the mix with the optional handgrip.
The Future is 43
Leica is calling this camera the Q3 43. I respect it. I also feel like people will simply call this camera as the Leica Q-3-4-3, almost as a nod to previous Leica naming conventions. In any case, I think this camera is gonna be a real winner for the brand. I’m gonna look to spend a few months with this camera for some projects around the world and put together a more comprehensive review. But even in my time testing this camera alongside the APO Summicron 50mm for the SL system, I’m beyond impressed.
The images have that Leica Q3 look to them but in a much more versatile perspective that really competes with the best lenses in Leica’s mirrorless camera lineup. The images have a wow-factor to them, especially when you shoot wide-open. And with the APO design, I’m not experiencing any weird colour shifts yet. At the time of this recording, there’s no official support for the raw files so I’ll keep my commentary on the images to a minimum. What I will say though—especially to the armchair experts—don’t get too caught up in the F2.0 of it all.
While the Q3 43 looks nearly identical to its sister camera, it pulls a ton of innovation from the experts across Leica to more-than-merit its existence in the market. It gives you that signature Leica Q experience while allowing you to get more intimate with your storytelling. And if I had to guess based on my early experience how this camera will be received, well, I think it’ll be the most popular Q series camera moving forward.
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Reader Question: Do you prefer the Leica Q3 43 over the original?
Yes.
What’s Next?
My team and I are currently on location in Jaffna, filming a special documentary we hope to release in the next 18 months. While things have been going well, I’ve come to really appreciate how much
I haven't been interested in the Q line since I don't think 28mm is really for me but wow this camera looks great. I hope you get to do a long term review on this camera, really curious how it holds up and the batter life on this.
I better start saving now.
The Q3 is amazing and now with a 43mm it seems it's eve better. I'd love to to try it!