Clicky

Leica C-Lux vs Leica Q3

Portability
85
Imaging
54
Features
66
Overall
58
Leica C-Lux front
 
Leica Q3 front
Portability
60
Imaging
84
Features
77
Overall
81

Leica C-Lux vs Leica Q3 Key Specs

Leica C-Lux
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 340g - 113 x 67 x 46mm
  • Revealed June 2018
Leica Q3
(Full Review)
  • 60MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 50 - 100000
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 8192 x 4320 video
  • 28mm (F1.7) lens
  • 743g - 130 x 80 x 93mm
  • Revealed May 2023
  • Succeeded the Leica Q2
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Leica C-Lux vs Leica Q3 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Leica C-Lux vs Leica Q3, both Large Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are manufactured by Leica. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the C-Lux (20MP) and Q3 (60MP) and the C-Lux (1") and Q3 (Full frame) use different sensor size.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The C-Lux was unveiled 6 years before the Q3 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Large Sensor Compact).

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the C-Lux matches up against the Q3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica C-Lux over the Leica Q3

 C-Lux Q3 

Reasons to pick Leica Q3 over the Leica C-Lux

 Q3 C-Lux 
RevealedMay 2023June 2018Newer by 60 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1843k1240kCrisper screen (+603k dot)

Common features in the Leica C-Lux and Leica Q3

 C-Lux Q3 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen sizing3"3.00"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Leica C-Lux vs Leica Q3 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica C-Lux provides outside measurements of 113mm x 67mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.8") along with a weight of 340 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Leica Q3 has dimensions of 130mm x 80mm x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 743 grams (1.64 lbs).

Check the Leica C-Lux vs Leica Q3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the C-Lux compared to the Q3.

Leica C-Lux vs Leica Q3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the C-Lux and Q3 is 85 and 60 respectively.

Leica C-Lux vs Leica Q3 top view buttons comparison

Leica C-Lux vs Leica Q3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through a spec sheet. The image below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the C-Lux and Q3.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The C-Lux with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh trickier and the Leica Q3 will produce greater detail having an extra 40MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged C-Lux will be behind in sensor technology.

Leica C-Lux vs Leica Q3 sensor size comparison

Leica C-Lux vs Leica Q3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica C-Lux vs Leica Q3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica C-Lux as a Portrait photography camera
Leica Q3 as a Portrait photography camera
65
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
has face detect focus
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
90
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/500s)
amazing MP (60MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Leica C-Lux as a Street photography camera
Leica Q3 as a Street photography camera
76
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
has focus by touch
fixed screen
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
comes with focus by touch
weather proofing
above average high ISO (100,000)
heavier than average in class (743 grams)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Leica C-Lux Sports photography features
Leica Q3 Sports photography features
70
great zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
has tracking focus
better than average battery power (370 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
86
quiet mode (1/40,000 seconds)
has image stabilization
amazing MP (60 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
better than average battery (350 shots)
comes with phase detect autofocus
focal length is fixed (28mm)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Leica C-Lux as a Travel photography camera
Leica Q3 as a Travel photography camera
75
better than average battery power (370 CIPA)
connects via bluetooth
has focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (360mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
70
better than average battery (350 CIPA)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
amazing MP (60MP)
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
heavier than average in class (743g)
display isn't selfie friendly
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Leica C-Lux Landscape photography features
Leica Q3 Landscape photography features
70
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (370 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
81
manual focus
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
pretty good screen size (3.00 inches)
has image stabilization
amazing MP (60 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (100,000)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
better than average battery (350 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Leica C-Lux Vlogging highlights
Leica Q3 Vlogging highlights
34
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic socket
32
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization
features face detection autofocus
high video quality (8192 x 4320 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic socket
heavier than average in class (743g)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Leica C-Lux vs Leica Q3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica C-Lux and Leica Q3
 Leica C-LuxLeica Q3
General Information
Brand Name Leica Leica
Model Leica C-Lux Leica Q3
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2018-06-10 2023-05-25
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 60 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 5472 x 3648 9520 x 6336
Highest native ISO 12800 100000
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 125 50
RAW data
Min boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 49 315
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-360mm (15.0x) 28mm (1x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/1.7
Macro focus range 5cm 17cm
Crop factor 2.7 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3.00"
Resolution of display 1,240 thousand dots 1,843 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,330 thousand dots 5,760 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.79x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 120 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/40000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 15.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.80 m (at Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/500 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC C8K/8K at 30p/25/24p, C4K/4K at 60/50/30/24p, 1080p at 120/100/60/50/30/24p
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 8192x4320
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 340 gr (0.75 lbs) 743 gr (1.64 lbs)
Dimensions 113 x 67 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.8") 130 x 80 x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 370 photos 350 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - BP-SCL6
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $1,050 $5,999