Leica Camera has announced the long-awaited Leica Q3, its next-gen compact full-frame camera
The Q3 comes with a three-inch high-resolution touchscreen that's now tiltable.
Leica Camera has unveiled the third iteration of its Q series, the much anticipated full-frame fixed lens Leica Q3.
At the core of the Q3 is a newly developed BSI-CMOS sensor equipped with Triple-Resolution-Technology, allowing photographers to choose from 60, 36, or 18-megapixel resolutions. Shooting at 60MP enables incredibly detailed imagery, while the lower resolutions offer quicker operation and smaller file sizes. The camera uses the full extent of the sensor for all resolutions and boasts an ISO range of 50 to 100,000.
The Q3 retains the form and shape of its Q2 predecessor, but with a couple of quality of life changes.
For optics, Leica has stuck with the tried and tested Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH lens, which is unchanged from the previous Q2 camera. It comes with an integrated macro mode, allowing close-ups from a minimum distance of just 17cm. New to the Q3 is an extended digital zoom, enabling users to opt for focal lengths of 28, 35, 50, 75, and even 90mm. Moreover, Leica also boasts that the Leica Perspective Control (LPC) and Leica Dynamic Range (LDR) features produce “impeccable” JPEG images right out of the camera, minimising the need for post-processing.
Compared to the Q2, the Q3’s autofocus has been vastly improved with the incorporation of a new hybrid system that combines high-precision contrast autofocus with phase detection. This allows for faster and more accurate object tracking and focusing. All of this can be monitored on the new 5.76MP OLED viewfinder or the three-inch high-resolution touchscreen that's now tiltable, providing unique viewing angles for creative street photography.
Yet despite this flexible screen, the camera still manages to maintain an IP52 certification, offering protection against dust and splashing water.
The Q3 comes with a three-inch high-resolution touchscreen that's now tiltable.
Connectivity has also been ramped up. The Q3 supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, with the advanced Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology said to boost data transfer speed to the Leica FOTOS app by up to tenfold compared to its Q1 and Q2 predecessors. For Apple users, the camera comes certified as "Made for iPhone and iPad," allowing for a seamless mobile workflow and even comes with a USB-C-to-Lightning cable included.
Content creators will be happy to know that the Q3 is capable of recording 8K video, supported by codecs like H.265 and Apple's ProRes. It offers tethered shooting capabilities with Capture One or Adobe Lightroom and can connect to external devices such as gimbals and display recorders via USB-C and HDMI. It can even wirelessly recharge via a dedicated Leica Charging Pad.
The Leica Q3 will retail for an eye-popping $8,960.00 and will be available from May 25 at official Leica Singapore Stores, the Leica Online Store, and authorised dealers.
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