The Leica Q3 review - The Only Camera I would ever need

The New Leica Q3 is an incredible camera. But for someone that shoots primarily on a Leica Q2 Monochrom, how do monochrome images hold up?
Is the Q3 good enough for the black and white photographer?
Is it the ultimate street photography camera?
To sign up to my Online One to One monochrome photography workshops, please visit

[orjos]

Of all the Q3 reviews so far, yours is the most useful and informative. I have the original Q and it still does the job for me.

[mywwwow]

❤ Thank you - I’m always happy to enjoy my Leica cameras - for 4 decades now. ❤
And with big smiles on my face. 😊

[jamielonghurst]

I have watched several reviews of the Q3, and all of them dove straight into the camera's technical features, which is useful to be sure. You, however, spoke on a personal level about your connection to the camera and to photography. I truly enjoyed hearing a review from that perspective. I managed to purchase the Q3, and even though I've used it very little thus far, I can already tell I am going to really enjoy this camera. I can already tell I will dive into this camera just to see where it will take me, just for the joy of it. Thank you for your perspective on this wonderful camera!

[mawavoy]

Liked your presentation style. The camera’s features were presented, directly without hyperbole, supported with examples. Worth watching more than once to insure nuances were not missed. Thanks!

[frankiacone]

Your photos inspire me Paul My Q3 is on its way to the Sttaes found 0ne in the Netherlands

[f__e__e__l__e__e__p]

proper slow paced product story, yet so engaging ! Totally against 'cut every 2, 5 seconds to feed the brain ' philosophy. I like it a lot!

[bmwohl]

Very enjoyable. I'm grabbing my 28mm f/2.8 prime, putting it on my almost 5 year old Z7, and going exploring! I loved your street portraits so much. I'm gutless in that regard.

[TheMidnightOnline]

These cameras are a huge game changer and they will help you become a better photographer.

I have just received my Q3 and have owned a Q2 monochrom for some years now. These cameras are without a doubt my all-time favorites, an absolute joy to use, with image quality that blows you away, and a superb build quality that no other brand offers.

My Canon R5 and it's pro range lenses, Fuji Xpro 3 and it's pro lenses or the pro-Nikons I have owned in the past do not remotely compare to the joy of the user experience of these cameras or the image quality they produce.

If you write these cameras off because you think they are just 'rich kids toys', or are 'unnecessary'....you're doing yourself no favors and are missing out on something truly amazing.

[gebide]

Hi Paul, great video, I just ordered one Q3 as I already wanted to order a Q2, but then the Q3 was released and I like the 28mm and the tilting screen and the idea to crop into a 60MP frame inside the camera. I just shot since the last 6month with the Fujifilm X100V and the 23mm (35mm equivalent) limits me as I could not always step backwards. As well there is some magic around the brand Leica and I want once in my life to own one. Now my dream comes true. Next week I turn back to Germany and will hold in my hands. It was delivered yesterday and I’m quiet curious if the magic will influence my work. I follow your channel and stay in touch. All the best Peter

[datdudeinred]

You can crop in a 28mm to 50mm but you can't zoom out a 50mm fixed lens & not always you can just step even few steps back. But you can always (mostly) take few steps ahead. 28mm is perfection.
Love your portraits 😍👏

[DerekComer]

Great video. Found your channel because iv just purchased my very first Leica camera and it’s a Q3. I’m 60 years old and photography has been a hobby for over 45 years. Iv gotten lazy so decided to take the plunge and buy the Q3 and slow my photography down “still just a hobby”. I love you portraits they show real detail and have a depth to them. I use fill flash on 90% of my photos so having no built in flash is going to be a challenge for me. Do you have any videos on getting the best out of the Q3 for portraits “sounds daft asking that question tbh”, but I just think your images just POP. Great video and now iv found it. Great channel 👍

[OpenDGuitar]

I hope the Q3 is going strong in a couple of year when I retire…using Q2 now and want another bump up. Lovely video, well paced, and informative. I appreciate that…so many are too fast, or pushing products too much. Well done! And my photo teacher emphasized decades ago…get in close…don’t be a voyeur with a zoom lens!

[jeffstephens]

I will be swapping my Q2 for a Q3 as soon as possible because of the sensor. Not for all those lovely 60mp but because it’s a triple resolution, pixel binning BSI sensor. Being able to resolve at 18mp but still using the full back lit sensor will make it an incredible camera for low light shooting

[ConnorRickey]

Can’t believe you only have 5k subs. Researching this camera and saw your review pop up - I thought you would have 100k+ subs. Keep going!

[JS-shim]

Great pictures, by a great photographer on a great camera. My Q2 made me love photography. I will be a Q person for life and I believe the upgrade is worth it as there are numerous extra features. In car terms, this is a completely new model, rather than a facelift.

[michaeledmonds]

Wonderful video, Paul! (The reader comments below are also well written and helpful.) I've been thinking over the last day about what the Q2 gives me in my portraits and could not find anything (so far) in the Q3 that would make me switch. Sure, the flip screen might be a nice thing to have at times (definitely for a street photographer)... but my subjects KNOW they are being photographed so there is no need to 'sneak' a shot. lol 47mp also sits at the absolute sweet spot for resolution as well.... 60mp (I get that with a Canon 5DSR) simply adds more time retouching skin blemishes and pores in the type of work I do. The focusing on the Q2 is perfectly fine and the recent eye tracking software upgrade solves any lingering frustrations! Cheers, mate!

[johnhoey]

You Sir, are amazing. Love your work AND your videos. Always inspiring! Please keep up the great work.

[Peter-tcep]

Would have preferred a 35mm but 28mm is fine for me. If Leica comes out with a nifty fifty version I’d buy that to go along with the 28. Easier to carry two fairly light weight cameras then change lenses when your walking around.
Great review love the calmness and patient quality you have.

[Swingkid]

The problem is while travelling. I travel to more rough countries and areas where you definitely don't want a camera that's worth more than a year salary over there. I've got cameras stolen etc and was really happy I did not have a Leica by then. Still got great images and felt more secure in my mind knowing I'm not carrying a fortune.

[kalkydra]

Passion bleeds in your video mate. Congratulations on your work and having such an amazing camera!. Cheers!