Leica Camera AG will release the new “Leica Q3”, the third generation of the compact digital camera “Leica Q” series, on June 3, 2023. The selling price at the Leica online store is $5995 including tax.
The Leica Q series was born in 2015. The Q series is a 35mm full-frame compact digital camera equipped with a fixed focal length lens featuring craftsmanship that pursues high quality, timeless and sophisticated design, and simple operability.
The new Leica Q3 is said to be a further evolution of the Leica Q series. While maintaining the lens with the brightness that is one of the brightest in its class, as well as the existing functions and performance such as macro function and movie shooting, many new functions have been added, and it will be possible to shoot beautiful photos and movies with higher quality than ever before.
The key to the Leica Q3 is the new back-illuminated CMOS sensor that incorporates triple resolution technology. With this image sensor, you can choose from three types of recording pixels: 60 million pixels, 36 million pixels, and 18 million pixels, and record images in DNG (RAW) format or JPEG format. If the photographer was to choose 60 million pixels, you can capture the details and texture of the subject. If you choose 36 million pixels or 18 million pixels, there are advantages such as full use of the high-speed performance of the camera, improvement of continuous shooting sustainability, and saving of small file size.
Regardless of the number of recording pixels selected, the entire area of the image sensor is used for shooting. The setting range for ISO sensitivity is ISO 50 to 100000. In addition, it is equipped with the latest generation image processing engine of the “LEICA MAESTRO” series, which was born from “L² Technology” in collaboration with Panasonic Corporation, and the operating speed has been further improved.
The lens uses the Leica Summilux f1.7/28mm ASPH., a large aperture lens that represents Leica. This lens can be set to macro with a minimum focusing distance of 17cm. In addition to being able to shoot high-definition images, it is also possible to shoot using the digital zoom function. With the digital zoom function, you can choose an angle of view equivalent to 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 90mm.
In addition, two new practical shooting assist functions, “Leica Perspective Control (LPC)” and “Leica Dynamic Range (LDR)” have been added. These features can be used to generate beautiful JPEG images without the need for post-processing.
The autofocus system has also evolved significantly. First, by adopting a new hybrid autofocus system with the addition of a phase difference detection method, even faster and more accurate focusing and tracking are now possible.
Moreover, spatial recognition (DFD) technology is newly adopted. The autofocus system, which combines the contrast detection method, which is the most accurate in terms of accuracy, the phase difference detection method, DFD technology, and intelligent object recognition technology, captures the subject sharply and clearly. In addition, it is equipped with a new 5.76 million-dot organic EL viewfinder that projects subjects clearly and sharply.
The LCD monitor is a high-definition 3.0-inch touch panel LCD, and a tilt type with a new mechanism was adopted. This increases the degree of freedom in terms of shooting angles, enabling more creative photographic and video expression. In addition, while adopting a tilt-type LCD monitor, the same IP52 as the “Leica Q2” is secured for dustproof and dripproof performance.
As for connectivity, like the Leica Q2, seamless and high-speed communication is possible on the Q3 via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Leica Q3 also supports MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output), an advanced communication technology, and the data transfer speed to the Leica dedicated application “Leica FOTOS” is about 10 times faster than the “Leica Q2”. This will make the creative production workflow smoother in conjunction with mobile devices.
In addition, downloadable apps are now available: “Leica FOTOS,” a new linking function with video data can now be transferred to mobile devices, and “Leica Looks,” which allows you to finish JPEG images with a unique and beautiful impression, can be used from “Leica FOTOS” The stable connection and high transfer speed with “Leica FOTOS” will also be utilized when using these new functions.
In addition, it is now possible to improve the efficiency of mobile workflows and reduce the power consumption of the Leica Q3 by setting the connection mode to eco mode or high performance mode. In addition, the Leica Q3 is certified by Apple as “Made for iPhone” and “Made for iPad”, so iPhone and iPad users can also use the Leica Q3 by connecting it with the included Leica FOTOS cable.
For video recording, 8K video can now be recorded, and it also supports H.265 and Apple ProRes, which are efficient codecs. An HDMI terminal and a USB Type-C terminal are also newly implemented, allowing you to connect to gimbals, mobile batteries, external display recorders, etc. By using the USB Type-C terminal, tethered shooting with “Capture One” and “Adobe Photoshop Lightroom” is now possible.
With the Leica Q3, wireless charging is possible with the handgrip and wireless charger that newly appear as dedicated accessories. The charging pad can wirelessly charge the high-performance dedicated battery “BP-SCL6” and Qi-compatible devices.
The Leica Q3 has a wide range of accessories, including protectors, lens caps, retro-designed lens hoods, thumb rests, release buttons, and hot shoe covers, all of which are available in three color variations.
