The PERFECT Point and Shoot Camera! (Leica Q3 Review)

In this video, I’m sharing my experience with the Leica Q3 (28mm)—a camera that’s as much about the feeling it gives you as the photos it takes. Whether you’re just starting out or curious about upgrading, I’ll walk you through what stood out to me and what might surprise you. We’ll talk about the good, the not-so-good, and the moments where this camera truly shines. No heavy specs talk—just an honest look at what it’s like to actually use the Q3 day-to-day. If you’ve ever wondered if a camera like this is worth it, this video’s for you.

Leica Q3(28mm)
Leica Q3(28mm) Bundle

NEW Substack Starting Jan 6th: @tillyshull

Gear from todays video: (affiliate links)

Leica Q3(28mm)
Leica Q3(28mm) Bundle

Archive Binder

Ilford HP5 35mm Film

Archive Sleeves for 35mm

120 Archive Sleeves

Sony A7R4 Camera Body

Sony 16-35mm G Master Lens

Portra 400 Film (35mm)

Portra 400 Film (120)

Holga & Ilford HP5 Film

Nikon F3 Film Camera

Delta 3200 Film (35mm)

Delta 3200 Film (120)

Ilford PAN 50 Film (35mm)

Amaran 60x Bi Color Dome Light

Naliet 60 (Hairlight)

Amaran Wand Light

Ilford Simplicity Developing Kit (B&W film)

Favorite Camera Strap

Peak Design 20L Backpack

X100VI

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

DJI mic 2

DJI Osmo 2

K&F Concept Magnetic ND Filter Kit for DJI

Peak design thin strap

Peak design thick camera strap

Peak design wrist strap

Peak design anchor connectors

Peak design 20L backpack

Small Rig Travel Tripod

Sony 16-35mm g master

Cinestill C-41 Developing Kit (powder)

Cinestill Developing Kit (liquid)

Patterson Plastic Developing Tank/Reels

Paterson Multi-Reel 5 Tank  

Kalt Developing Tank

Darkroom Changing Bag

Patterson Plastic 120 Reel

Digital thermometer

Analog thermometer

Developing Bag (pop up)

Rubber Gloves

Cinestill Temp Control

Sous Vide (alt)

Storage Bottles

Sous Vide Basin

Sous Vide Basin (alt)

Kalt 35mm Steel Reel

Kalt 120 Steel Reel

Nikon F3

Kodak Gold 35mm Film

Harman Pheonix Film

[madebyjovan]

Came here to thank you! Watched this awhile back and made the decision to get the Q3. Brought it to a concert yesterday and you know, I'm really impressed with the image and video quality! Thank you!

[tomky]

thanks for the good straight forward review for non camera nerds. you are the first review to show the frame lines and basic functions.

[MARKLINMAN]

Love my Q3, got it the day before Thanksgiving 2024, absolutely NO REGRETS! Shoot it along with my M6.

[Johnkostercreative]

Been shooting Leica for a long time. Every Q2 (reporter, regular, mono) the Q3 (28mm and 43mm) and the Q3 43 kicks ass. It's my go everywhere, do everything camera. I'm too old to really dig the M series like I used to, it's too hard to acquire focus with the M rangefinders in at dusk, dawn and difficult conditions, so the Leica Q3 43 is my answer to everything. And I've shot Billy Strings, Stephen Wilson, Jr., Gregory Alan Isakov, Arlo McKinley, Brandi Carlisle, Avett Brothers, etc with this set up and it has made some crazy great images. Glad you're having fun!

[JJCPhotography]

Q series is super great, great videos made！Keep it up.

[jerry.cray_II]

Your work is so beautiful, Tilly!!❤📷 I just picked up the original Q for a bargain and I absolutely love it!!

On a side note, I just wanna mention that while the Q series are single-lens cameras, they are not point-and-shoot cameras. The user may have complete control over the exposure and focus🙏🏿

[TonyEbikemeJr]

I love the Q system. Not a lot of people understand it they think it’s traditional point and shoot. It’s a lot more than that.

[jro]

Good morning. I would like to ask, what autofocus where you using when you did the sample. Was it single af, or continue af?

[Alex_]

I'd be curious to know what you think of the Sony RX1 series & Ricoh GR line-up. Unrelated, that's a cool nail color that you make look great.

[hendrixg]

Such a sick camera. Great results as well. Are these straight out of camera?

[meat_loves_wasabi]

After getting the OG Q3 in 2023 I have been neglecting my A7R5 which i still love.. I try to alternate between the 2 depending on my itinerary for the day

[KRSchannel]

If you like Q3, wait till you try Hasselblad X2D you will never go back. Nothing matches the pure color and clarity and sharpness of a X 2-D try it.

[ChrisLRobinson]

No lie nail on the coffin here with the concert pictures! reason I've ambassodered the Q for You can go to shows with it! sports events with it! no problem! the 43mm only makes it sweater for the crop with 60mp if you seats are mid! Great point here!

[arndtbc]

The fly in the ointment is the price, I have a Nikon Z7II and Z8. I can drop a 28 or a 40mm lens on either, better value and close enough in image quality. The Leica Qs are great but who's got $7k to drop on a point and shoot. I want one too but then I have to stop myself from going $7K in debt. Nice review.

[crazedcamcollector]

Oh yes! I bought one of these last year and I will NEVER sell this or upgrade. I also own the X100V and I do like that too because the built-in flash is very convenient for family get-togethers.

[photomorti]

Perfect besides the price haha. And maby for a camera this expensive i would expect top class 2024 autofocus performance but its still an amazing camera. The rendering is so good.

[PBimagescom]

Beautiful shots! Agree 200%! Its revolutionizing my photography! Price IS WORTH IT! Oh and f/1.7, not f/1.2. :)

[RickMentore]

Tilly Shull, would you consider doing a comparison video between this Leica and the Sony A7CR with say, the Sony FE 50mm F2.5 G or SIGMA's 45mm F2.8 DG DN | C. I think the Sony is the better camera in all but one category; value retention!

[stephenelliott]

I was so tempted to take the Q3 43 to a concert but had concerns of it being called a professional zoom camera so didn't. How did you convince somebody at a concert (that maybe doesn't know anything about cameras) it was a fixed focal length camera?

[orendo]

The widest aperture is f/1.7, not f/1.2. This camera is as phenomenal as Billy Strings.