With its high-end build quality and impressive specs, the Leica Q3 43 promises a premium experience. But does it live up to the price tag?
Coming to you from Roman Fox, this balanced video looks at the Leica Q3 43 after a month of real-world use. Roman critiques the camera’s performance, emphasizing that its premium branding doesn’t excuse shortcomings. He points out that, while the build quality is excellent—weather-sealing and all—it’s not perfect. One of the function buttons feels less responsive than the other, and the ergonomics may not suit everyone. He recommends adding a thumb grip for better handling, especially for extended use. Despite these issues, the camera’s compact size and durability make it appealing for shooting in challenging weather.
Roman highlights the lens as the real star of the Leica Q3 43. Its 43mm focal length and f/2 aperture provide sharp, punchy images with excellent out-of-focus rendering. However, he mentions a few quirks, like the slightly stiff manual focus tab and the lack of a lock for switching between macro and normal modes. These small issues can slow you down when shooting on the fly. Autofocus, on the other hand, falls short for a camera at this price point. It performs well for still subjects but struggles with movement, making it less reliable for action or wildlife shots.
Key Specs
- Sensor: 60.3 MP Full-Frame CMOS
- Lens: 43mm f/2 with 3.5x digital zoom
- ISO Range: 50–100,000 (manual), 100–100,000 (auto)
- Video: 8K at 30 fps, 4K at 60 fps, with ProRes 422 HQ support
- Display: 3" tilting touchscreen
- Battery Life: Approx. 350 shots (BP-SCL6 battery)
- Weight: 1.7 lb with battery
Roman notes that the camera produces stunning raw files with rich contrast and sharpness. However, the default color profile leans cool, often requiring adjustments to warm up the images. For users who prefer a specific “Leica look,” this might be a selling point, but others may find the overly punchy output less appealing. He emphasizes that, in today’s market, the differences in image quality between high-end cameras are minimal. Most people wouldn’t be able to distinguish between photos taken with the Leica Q3 43 and those from other premium brands.
On the video side, the Leica Q3 43 holds its own, with stabilized 8K and 4K recording options. However, Roman criticizes the lack of separate settings for photo and video modes, which limits flexibility. The menus, on the other hand, are a highlight, offering a clean and intuitive interface that makes navigation straightforward. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Fox.
This is the problem with YouTubers who have cameras for a short period. They have bugger all idea about what they’re talking about.
1. The settings for video and stills are separate.
2. The rear function buttons are different heights and feel by design so they’re easier to find by touch.
3. Anyone who feels that a camera with the same sensor as other should have better IQ because it costs more is a fool.
4. Agreed about the thumb grip but there are cheaper alternatives on Amazon that are identical to the Leica ones.
5. He misses the daft hood design that negates the use of filters.
Gordon
That's a lot of money, nearly $7,000, for a point and shoot fixed lens camera. This is for those with more money than brains.
Really? What IP rated camera with a 43mm APO lens are you suggesting?
Why waste money on a fixed point and shoot? Olympus has IP rated cameras and a variety of lenses for a fraction of the price. Canon and Nikon as well are weather sealed with a huge variety of lenses for less as well. A fixed lens camera is horribly limiting ask most photographers on the planet.
Really? Then why are the Fuji X100VI and Leica Q cameras so sought after, with vast waiting lists?
Many, many photographers see a single lens as freeing, rather than limiting. There is a huge drive for having less. Less complexity, less menu driven functionality. Less analysis paralysis. What do you think is driving the resurgence of film? More options?
People *waste* money on these cameras because they want to be more involved in the photography process rather than have the camera make all the decisions. They want to be challenged to think and create rather than have some AI generated chip work it all out. They want to compose and hone their craft rather than stand on a dot and zoom a lens. They want cameras that are less like a phone with interchangeable lenses.
To even suggest that *most* photographers have no interest in a fixed lens camera is laughable.
Having read so many reviews of Leica cameras I realized that only way to find out is use one. Perhaps rent a camera and see why they are so expensive. This much I know. People I respect, who use them, swear by them.
I just used camera for one month traveling through India. I am missing the focus of Canon R5 or similar. A bit better thought out buttons (the wheel especially). Love how light it is how low key it looks, love the lens/raw files and 43mm is a briliant focal lenght for travel camera. Fell in love, but not 7k Usd love…..
I for one like the 28 version. Although an apo is hard to beat. Thec28 is a little more practical. With that said, i love this camera so much that i set up www.leica-q.com just for q shooters.