Canon EOS M6 vs Leica Q3: An Expert’s Take on Two Distinct Mirrorless Cameras

When I sat down to compare the Canon EOS M6 and Leica Q3, it quickly became clear that we’re looking at two cameras that appeal to enthusiasts with quite different demands. Both are mirrorless, compact, and boast impressive imaging chops in their own right - but the reasons you’d pick one over the other? They’re as divergent as their price tags.

Over my 15+ years testing thousands of cameras, I’ve seen this pattern: a camera’s sensor, autofocus, ergonomics, and lens system tell almost the entire story about its strengths and weaknesses. Let’s dig into these two models across the most popular photography types to help you discover exactly which tool suits your creative style - and your wallet.

Size and Handling: Compactness vs. Substance

Starting with the fundamentals - size and ergonomics. The Canon M6 is a true compact advanced mirrorless, fitting snugly into the classic rangefinder-style mirrorless niche. It’s famously lightweight and slim.

At just 112 x 68 x 45 mm and 390 grams, the M6 fits comfortably into smaller bags and feels unintrusive in street and travel settings. Meanwhile, the Leica Q3, a larger and heavier beast at 130 x 80 x 93 mm and 743 grams, commands a more substantial presence. This size comes with built-in weather sealing, reinforcing its reliability outdoors in varied conditions, something the M6 lacks entirely.

While the M6’s size favors portability (critical for street and casual travel shooters), the Q3’s robust build gives it an edge for serious outdoor or professional work where ruggedness is prized. The tilt screen on both models works well for creative angles, but the Q3’s larger, higher-resolution LCD is noticeably crisper.

Taking a look at the control layout further highlights design philosophies: Canon’s M6 keeps it simple with intuitive, well-placed dials and buttons that beginners can easily master, whereas the Leica emphasizes tactile precision and minimalism - appealing more to seasoned photographers who prefer fewer but more refined controls.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Here's where their core differences shine - the sensors.

• Canon EOS M6: APS-C CMOS sensor, 24 megapixels, with a 1.6x crop factor.
• Leica Q3: Full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor, a staggering 60 megapixels, no crop (1x multiplier).

The full-frame sensor in the Leica Q3 is about 2.6 times larger in area than Canon’s APS-C sensor, delivering significantly better image quality, especially noticeable in dynamic range, noise performance, and color fidelity. While the Canon M6 offers respectable color depth and an effective dynamic range (~12.6 stops DXO measured), the Leica’s modern BSI sensor and no optical low-pass filter result in outstanding sharpness and detail capture - hallmarks of Leica’s image quality pedigree.

The 60MP resolution allows for huge pixel-level fits, ideal for large prints or commercial use, while Canon’s 24MP is more than adequate for general use and provides faster image processing with smaller files.

Here I want to mention noise control: Leica’s engineered sensor shines particularly thanks to modern sensor technology and superior ISO handling up to an extraordinary native ISO of 100,000 (though practical shooting is better limited to lower ISOs). Canon’s sensor maxes out at ISO 25,600 natively, which is sufficient for low-light needs but won’t match Leica’s prowess in astrophotography or dimly lit scenes.

Autofocus Systems: Fast and Reliable vs. Precise and Extensive

Now, autofocus can make or break your shooting experience.

Canon’s EOS M6 sports a hybrid autofocus system with 49 focus points, including phase-detection and contrast-detection. It supports face detection and live view autofocusing, providing respectable speed and accuracy for its class. Its continuous shooting sits at a decent 9 fps.

In contrast, the Leica Q3 boasts a high-density 315 point AF system with phase and contrast detection, plus face detection - though Leica does not offer animal eye AF like some competitors. The advanced autofocus array enables tracking high-speed subjects with more precision and reliability, hitting 15 frames per second in burst shooting.

While the Canon M6 is capable enough for casual wildlife or sports shots, serious photographers might find its AF system limiting for fast-action photography. Leica’s faster and more precise mechanism makes it better suited to birding and sports, despite its fixed lens.

Lens & System Compatibility: Flexibility vs. Fixed Excellence

This is probably the most defining distinction.

Canon M6 utilizes the EF-M lens mount, compatible with 23 native lenses ranging from wide-angle to telephoto, including close-up macro lenses. This expandable ecosystem is a strong point if you want to grow your kit or dabble in various focal lengths and genres. However, the EF-M line remains somewhat niche, with fewer options compared to Canon’s DSLR EF and RF systems.

Leica Q3 has a fixed 28mm f/1.7 Summilux lens - acclaimed for razor-sharp image quality and beautiful bokeh. The fast aperture lends itself superbly to portraits, street photography, and low-light shooting. But the lack of zoom or lens interchangeability limits versatility; you're committing upfront to one focal length.

If you cherish lens-swapping freedom, the Canon M6 feels like a far more scalable solution for varied photography disciplines. On the flip side, Leica’s fixed lens is an optical marvel fine-tuned for ultimate image fidelity and reliability.

Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin Tones and Bokeh

Portrait work relies heavily on sensor performance, lens sharpness, and autofocus eye detection.

While Canon M6 does include face detection, its lack of dedicated eye AF or animal eye AF may occasionally stray focus from a subject’s eyes during dynamic sessions. Its APS-C sensor provides decent background separation but can’t really compare to the full-frame sensor’s more natural bokeh rendition.

I did find the Leica’s 28mm f/1.7 fixed lens surprisingly competent for portraits - sharp eyes, smooth gradual out-of-focus areas. Its combination of a full-frame 60MP sensor plus fast aperture produces skin tones that feel natural and nuanced, maintaining subtle gradients impossible on more modest sensors.

For weddings or studio portraiture where you want pin-sharp detail and creamy bokeh, I’d lean towards the Leica Q3. Meanwhile, for casual portraits or street portraits where portability and lens flexibility matter, Canon’s M6 is solid and budget-friendly.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Weatherproofing Matter

Landscape photography demands dynamic range to retain details in shadows and highlights, alongside durability for outdoor conditions.

Canon’s APS-C sensor fairs reasonably well overall, but in challenging high-contrast scenes, clipping is more likely, and post-processing latitude is narrower compared to Leica’s full-frame sensor.

Leica Q3’s sensor easily captures extended dynamic range, retaining rich shadow detail and holding highlights without blowout. Additionally, the Leica’s weather sealing gives it a major edge in rugged outdoor scenarios. The Canon M6 is neither dust- nor weather-resistant, meaning you have to be extra cautious in adverse environments.

I’d recommend the Leica for serious landscape work, especially if you value large, high-resolution files for fine art prints. The M6 remains a good choice for casual outdoor shooters where size and budget are concerns.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed and Burst Rate

When tracking unpredictable animals or athletes, autofocus speed and continuous shooting rate are crucial.

Canon’s 9 fps burst is decent but not class-leading; its 49-point AF system delivers moderate tracking accuracy but sometimes lacks quick reacquisition speed.

Leica’s 15 fps burst with 315 AF points enables faster capture of fleeting moments and better tracking precision - despite its lack of interchangeable zoom lenses. That said, a fixed 28mm lens isn’t ideal for distant wildlife shots or tight framing in sports; you’ll likely miss those critical telephoto perspectives.

Verdict? For telephoto-dependent sports and wildlife, neither camera shines compared to dedicated super-telephoto mirrorless or DSLR bodies. However, for those relying on wide-to-normal focal lengths and fast AF, Leica has performance advantages over Canon.

Street and Travel Photography: Size, Stealth, Versatility

Street shooters prize discretion, compactness, and quick responsiveness.

Canon M6’s smaller size and lighter weight make it ideal for candid, unstaged shots. Its tilting touchscreen enables easier shoot-from-the-hip framing. Its lens mount flexibility means you can opt for compact prime lenses or travel zooms.

The Leica, despite being larger, still falls under compact large sensor cameras and offers excellent image quality in a simpler package - no lens swaps, no fuss. The quieter silent shutter and superior build quality add cachet for urban photographers who prize stealth and style.

For travel, the Canon M6’s better battery life and smaller footprint make it appealing on long days out. Leica’s weather sealing offers confidence but at more than 8x the price of Canon.

Macro Photography: Focusing and Magnification Controls

Neither model is designed with macro photography as a focus.

Canon’s lens lineup includes several macro-capable lenses, giving it greater flexibility for close-up work. The M6’s autofocus is decent for close focusing but not specially optimized for macro precision.

The Leica Q3’s fixed 28mm lens has a minimum focusing distance of 17cm, which is respectable but not true macro-level magnification. Its sharpness does enable detailed close-ups but lacks the versatility of dedicated macro solutions.

If macro is a priority, Canon M6 with a macro lens option beats the Q3’s fixed approach hands down.

Night and Astrophotography: Sensor Noise and Exposure Control

Low light pushes sensors to extremes, exposing noise and dynamic range limits.

Leica’s combination of full-frame back-illuminated CMOS, ISO 50-100,000 range, and superior noise control real-world outperforms the Canon M6’s APS-C sensor maxing at ISO 25,600. This advantage is crucial when capturing stars or moonlit landscapes.

While both cameras offer manual exposure and timelapse recording, Leica Q3’s superior sensor size and low noise make it more suited to nightscapes and astrophotography. The Canon M6 Lags but can hold its own for casual night scenes with a tripod.

Video Capabilities: Resolution and Stabilization

Videographers want 4K or higher resolutions, good codecs, in-body stabilization, and audio support.

Here, the Canon EOS M6 shoots Full HD at up to 60p, using the well-supported H.264 codec. It includes a microphone port, enhancing audio capture; however, it lacks in-body image stabilization (IBIS).

Leica Q3 covers far more ground: 8K (8,192 x 4,320) recording at up to 30p, 4K at 60p, and 1080p up to 120p for slow motion, all encoded in higher-efficiency H.265 and H.264 formats. Unfortunately, it lacks microphone and headphone jacks, limiting professional audio control, and relies on optical stabilization instead of IBIS.

If you value video resolution and quality, Leica clearly outperforms Canon’s M6. But for vloggers and casual shooters needing sound input, Canon offers practical connectivity advantages.

Battery Life & Connectivity: Staying Powered and Connected

Battery endurance matters for long shoots.

Canon M6 rates at approximately 295 shots per charge - reasonable for its class, but by no means long-lasting. Leica Q3 edges ahead with 350 shots per battery, better suited to extended outdoor usage.

Both cameras support Bluetooth wireless for pairing and remote controls. Canon adds NFC for quick pairing, while Leica lacks NFC but offers faster USB 3.2 data transfer, important in professional workflows requiring large file offloading.

Storage-wise, both accept a single SD card slot, standard but not ideal for redundancy.

Price-to-Performance Value: Who Gets What for the Money?

Now for the elephant in the room: price.

• Canon EOS M6: Approximately $679 USD.
• Leica Q3: A hefty $5,999 USD.

Considering this vast premium, you’re paying Leica not just for hardware but nearly a century of heritage, lens quality, and build excellence.

Canon's M6 gives a fantastic entry-point into mirrorless cameras with sufficient performance for enthusiasts, street shooters, and casual wildlife fans. It is a pragmatic choice for those on a budget who want solid image quality and lens flexibility.

Leica’s Q3, on the other hand, suits professionals or serious enthusiasts who demand unparalleled image quality, superb low-light handling, and uncompromising build quality. The fixed 28mm lens works for dedicated street, landscape, and environmental portrait photography but might frustrate those needing zoom or telephoto reach.

Canon M6 front Canon M6 screen back Leica Q3 front Leica Q3 screen back

Making Sense of It All: Performance Ratings and Genre Suitability

To sum things up visually, here’s how each camera scores overall and in specific photography categories:

• Portraits: Leica dominates thanks to superior sensor and lens.
• Landscape: Leica wins with dynamic range and weather sealing.
• Wildlife/Sports: Leica's faster AF and burst rate, but limited lens focal range challenges.
• Street: Canon edges on portability; Leica on image quality/stability.
• Macro: Canon wins due to lens flexibility.
• Night/Astro: Leica excels noticeably.
• Video: Leica offers cutting-edge resolution but lacks pro audio; Canon is more basic but practical.
• Travel: Canon’s small size and longer battery life help, Leica’s built-in durability counters.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Canon EOS M6 if you:

• Want an affordable entry-point into mirrorless photography.
• Value compactness and portability for street, travel, or casual shooting.
• Prefer interchangeable lenses and a flexible system.
• Shoot mostly still photos at 24MP resolution.
• Want decent video with microphone input and simple 1080p capture.
• Have a limited budget but demand a versatile overall performer.

Choose the Leica Q3 if you:

• Are a professional or serious enthusiast prioritizing image quality above all.
• Require a full-frame sensor with ultra-high resolution and excellent dynamic range.
• Shoot portraits, landscapes, or street photography prioritizing optics and build quality.
• Need weather sealing and a robust body for harsh environments.
• Value silent shutter and extremely precise autofocus that supports fast burst shooting.
• Are willing to invest in a fixed-lens camera and embrace 28mm focal length.
• Want 8K video capabilities and cutting-edge video codec support.

Parting Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Worlds

I often describe photography gear as a partner in creativity. The Canon M6 partners best with those starting or focusing on practical daily photography - it’s like a reliable, well-rounded friend in many scenarios.

The Leica Q3, meanwhile, acts like an artisan tool - precise, refined, costly, but capable of crafting images of exquisite detail and character if you invest the time to master it.

If your budget stretches that far and your ambitions align, the Leica stands out as a performer in almost every aspect. Otherwise, the Canon M6 offers surprisingly competent performance for its price point, welcoming newcomers into the mirrorless fold without breaking the bank.

Whichever model you choose, understanding how their capabilities mesh with your unique photographic demands is the key. I hope this deep dive helps you make a confident, informed choice.

Happy shooting!