Leica Q3 43 Compact Digital Camera

Key Features

• New APO-Summicron 43mm f/2 ASPH. fixed lens with macro mode
• New colour with grey leatherette
• ISO range from 50 to 100,000
• Full-frame BSI-CMOS-Sensor with Triple Resolution Technology (60MP / 36MP / 18MP)
• APO-Summicron 43 f/2 ASPH. fixed lens with integrated macro mode
• Hybrid Autofocus System (Phase Detection AF + Contrast AF + Depth from Defocus + AI)
• Grey leather
• Tilting 3” display and 5.67MP OLED viewfinder
• Fast and convenient connectivity with the Leica FOTOS app
• USB-C and HDMI ports
• Up to 8K-Video and multiple video formats including .H265 and ProRes
• Made for iPhone and iPad
• IP52 ingress protection
• Digital zoom from 43 to 150mm

Leica Q3 43 Compact Digital Camera Summary

The Leica Q3 43Compact Digital Camera is a full-frame all-in-one Leica camera, which is designed to capture natural-looking photos and videos in any lighting conditions. It features a brand new APO-Summicron 43mm f/2 ASPH. fixed lens with integrated macro mode and digital zoom.

Leica’s APO lens is a masterpiece of optical design, which offers exceptional image clarity, while the 43mm focal width closely matches human vision, making it perfect for street photography, travel, and portraiture. The slightly wider field of view compared to a 50mm helps to enhance storytelling, while a digital zoom allows you to get closer to your subject when desired.

The Q3 43mm camera retains many of the original Q3’s advanced features including Triple Resolution Technology with up to 60 megapixels, which is seen in some of the very latest Leica cameras. The sensor provides unique benefits in addition to triple resolution technology, including a fast and accurate hybrid autofocus system, which incorporates on-sensor Phase Detection AF, Contrast AF, Depth from Defocus and AI subject detection.

The Q3 43 fits seamlessly into your creative lifestyle, syncing with the Leica FOTOS app, while elevating the joy of capturing high-quality authentic images with ease. It also comes in a new colour with grey leatherette, setting off the brand new full-frame standard lens and its natural field of view.

Leica Q3 43 Compact Digital Camera in More Detail

43mm lens similar to a person’s field of view

The Q3 43 camera incorporates a new 43mm full-frame lens, producing images that closely resemble the human eye’s field of view. The 43mm measurement also corresponds to the diagonal of a full-frame sensor, resulting in very natural and accurately proportioned images with minimal distortion.

The camera complements the original Q3 with its 28mm lens, offering:

• Apochromatic lens design (APO)
• Central shutter
• Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS)
• Integrated macro mode
• Focusing system

Benefits of an APO lens

An APO lens corrects chromatic aberrations across the entire image, rather than just the centre, and provides higher micro contrast and overall resolution. For the APO-Summicron 43 f/2 ASPH. lens, Leica reduced the number of elements to maintain a compact and portable size, while still delivering excellent image quality.

Leica’s optical design includes 11 lenses arranged into 8 groups, with 4 aspherical elements. An aperture range of f/2 to f/16 in 1/3 EV increments allows for precise control in various lighting conditions, across a native ISO range of ISO 50-100,000 in Manual mode and ISO 100-100,000 in Auto ISO for both stills and video.

Image quality is impressive, with high colour accuracy, minimal aberrations, and sharp, high-contrast results from edge to edge. At its widest f/2, the aperture produces a shallow depth of field with beautiful bokeh and excellent low-light performance, all while being nearly the same size and weight as the 28mm Q3 lens.

Integrated macro and digital zoom

Users will find a versatile macro mode alongside the new shooting range, spanning 43mm to 150mm when using digital zoom. Macro mode is available at distances between 26.5cm and 60cm, with optional magnifying (Auto Magnification) and edge marking (Focus Peaking) functions as focus assists.

The Digital Zoom feature is available in (approximately):

• 1.4x (equivalent to 60?mm)
• 1.7x (equivalent to 75?mm)
• 2.0x (equivalent to 90?mm)
• 2.8x (equivalent to 120?mm)
• 3.5x (equivalent to 150?mm)

This opens up new creative possibilities from a single lens with a standard focal length, from close-ups to short telephoto capabilities in one.

Stunning compact design with a new colour

The Q3 43 continues Leica’s highly desirable compact design language seen in the Q3,  D-Lux 8 and previous camera models. The Q3 43 introduces a new grey leatherette colour, plus a new Q3 Multifunctional Leather Protector to protect cameras in the Q-range. This combines a grip, half-case, and ArcaSwiss compatibility into one case for security and tripod mounting.

Full-frame CMOS sensor with Triple resolution Technology

At the heart of the Q3 43 lies the same full-frame BSI CMOS sensor seen in cameras throughout Leica’s ranges including the M11-D Rangefinder and Leica SL3 mirrorless camera. This sensor offers a maximum resolution of 60.3?MP, with smaller file sizes generated by image resolutions of 36MP and 18MP. Uniquely, this technology uses the entire sensor area, providing richly detailed high-quality files at any resolution.

With a native ISO range between 50 to 100,000, it delivers well-controlled results with minimal noise and a wide dynamic range, making the Q3 43 suitable for any lighting conditions. RAW (DNG), DNG + JPG, JPG (DCF 2.0, Exif 2.31) stills images are available, with 14 bit colour depth RAW, or sRGB JPEGs in 8-bit.

Image resolution

Versatile shutter speeds and drive modes

The Q3 43 offers both mechanical and electronic shutter modes. The mechanical shutter operates between 120?s and 1/2000?s, while the electronic shutter reaches speeds of 1?s to 1/16000?s, with flash sync supported up to 1/2000?s.

Drive modes include Single, Interval Shooting, Exposure Bracketing, and Continuous Shooting at speeds of 2 fps, 4 fps, 5 fps, and 7 fps. In Automatic modes, the camera can shoot up to 15 fps at 12-bit.

Leica Maestro IV processor

The powerful Maestro IV processor, paired with the CMOS sensor, enables high-speed functionality and fast hybrid autofocus. Enhanced noise control, rapid signal processing, and Leica’s signature colour reproduction are a few of the benefits the Maestro IV processor with L2 technology brings.

Intelligent Hybrid AF system

The combination of the sensor and processor allows for fast, accurate Hybrid AF, featuring phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) for quicker, more precise focusing. The system employs contrast metering, depth mapping, and phase comparison metering, along with AI-driven subject detection and tracking.

High resolution Viewfinder (EVF) and LCD Panel

A high-resolution EVF with 5,760,000 dots, a 120?fps refresh rate, and 0.79x magnification complements a 3" TFT LCD with 1,843,200 dots and 384?ppi, offering touch control and swift switching between the viewfinder and LCD panel in just 0.005?seconds.

Up to 8K Video for hybrid creators

The Leica Q3 43 is a hybrid-ready camera, which is capable of recording up to 8K/30p internal video to an SD memory card, with h.265, L-GOP and a maximum 300?Mbps.

Video resolutions:

A range of features are available to complement filmmaking including a stereo microphone, mono speaker and HDMI jack Type?D video output with/without HLG/L-Log. The compact camera also includes an ISO accessory shoe with additional control contacts for Leica flash units, and USB?3.1 Gen?2 Type?C up to 10?Gbps.

Fast, convenient connectivity and durable build quality

Leica cameras combine elegant aesthetics, excellent ergonomics, and a rugged build. The Q3 43 continues this with support for both 5?GHz and 2.4?GHz WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy, and charging via USB or wirelessly. The full metal housing with magnesium die-cast body provides IP52 dust and water protection, operable between 0°C to +40°C. It weighs approximately 772g/688g (with/without battery).

Fast, seamless connectivity with the Leica FOTOS app offers numerous creative options including while on the move, by downloading Leica Looks presets, remote camera activation, and photo sharing.

Leica has maintained comprehensive Apple ecosystem integration with this camera, which supports Adobe Lightroom, Darkroom, and Capture One on iOS and iPadOS.

Wide range of accessories

Along with the new Q3 black leather half case, a wide range of existing Q3 accessories are also compatible with the updated Q3 43. These include the Wireless Charging Handgrip HG-DC1, the same Leica BP-SCL6 battery, and beautifully designed items like the Q3 Lens Cap Q E49 Brass Blasted Finish and Q3 Soft Release Button Brass Blasted Finish. Head over to the accessories tab above to discover more options to personalise and enhance your camera.

What's in the Box

• Leica Q3 43 Black Paint Finish
• Lens cap
• Lens cover ring
• Lens hood
• Hot shoe cover
• Battery (BP-SCL6)
• USB-C cable
• Carrying strap
• Quick Start Guide

Specifications