Leica Q3 43

Leica released this fixed-lens compact in 2024. It pairs a full-frame 60MP sensor with a single APO-Summicron 43mm f/2 lens, so there is nothing to swap and only one framing to learn.

The 43mm view sits between the familiar 35mm and 50mm framings, a natural fit for everyday, travel and documentary photography. Sixty megapixels on a full frame also leave room to crop the frame hard and still work with ample resolution.

The body weighs 688g, and weather sealing means damp or dusty conditions need not end a day out.

The APO-Summicron 43mm f/2 is the heart of the camera. Its 11-element, 8-group construction includes seven aspherical elements, a design aimed at tight optical correction. That matters here because this is the only lens you own; its rendering defines every picture you take.

With 60 megapixels on a full-frame sensor, cropping becomes a genuine framing tool. You can hold the 43mm view, tighten the composition afterwards, and still have plenty of pixels remaining for large output. That cropping latitude matters most for street and travel scenes where stepping closer is not always possible.

Macro mode closes focus to 26.5cm, close enough for flowers, food and small objects without add-ons. The f/2 maximum aperture also admits more light than smaller settings, which helps when shooting in dim interiors and evening rooms.

Video tops out at 8K, with 4K at 60fps and 1080p at 120fps also available. The 1080p mode runs fast enough to slow footage down in editing for slow-motion sequences.

Colour is recorded at 10-bit 4:2:2, which preserves more tonal gradation for grading than basic 8-bit capture. Recording options include ProRes 422 HQ and h265, so you can match the codec to the job at hand.

Digital crop steps reframe the fixed 43mm lens to 60, 75, 90, 120 and 150mm equivalents while shooting video, giving framing variety without a physical zoom. Each step narrows the angle of view, trading coverage for reach.

Single clips stop at 29 minutes, so long continuous takes need a restart or a second angle. For short-form and clip-based work that limit rarely intrudes.

The fixed lens simplifies day-to-day handling. There is nothing to swap or misalign, and because the 49mm filter thread never changes, one small set of screw-in accessories covers the whole camera.

Framing happens through an electronic viewfinder, so you compose with the camera held to your eye, seeing the live image from the sensor.

Weather sealing protects the body against damp and dust, so light rain or a dusty trail need not cut a shoot short. As with any sealed camera, this is not submersion-proof.

Built-in Wi-Fi is also included, providing a wireless connection option for linking the camera to other devices.