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Leica Q3 vs Leica X-U

Portability
60
Imaging
84
Features
77
Overall
81
Leica Q3 front
 
Leica X-U front
Portability
64
Imaging
59
Features
52
Overall
56

Leica Q3 vs Leica X-U Key Specs

Leica Q3
(Full Review)
  • 60MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 100000
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 8192 x 4320 video
  • 28mm (F1.7) lens
  • 743g - 130 x 80 x 93mm
  • Announced May 2023
  • Earlier Model is Leica Q2
Leica X-U
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F1.7-16.0) lens
  • 635g - 140 x 79 x 88mm
  • Announced January 2016
  • Also Known as Typ 113
Photography Glossary

Leica Q3 vs Leica X-U Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Leica Q3 vs Leica X-U, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are sold by Leica. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the Q3 (60MP) and X-U (16MP) and the Q3 (Full frame) and X-U (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The Q3 was announced 7 years later than the X-U and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the Q3 scores versus the X-U when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica Q3 over the Leica X-U

 Q3 X-U 
AnnouncedMay 2023January 2016Fresher by 90 months
Display resolution1843k920kClearer display (+923k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Leica X-U over the Leica Q3

 X-U Q3 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display

Common features in the Leica Q3 and Leica X-U

 Q3 X-U 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display size3.00"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Leica Q3 vs Leica X-U Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Leica Q3 enjoys outer dimensions of 130mm x 80mm x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 743 grams (1.64 lbs) and the Leica X-U has dimensions of 140mm x 79mm x 88mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 3.5") having a weight of 635 grams (1.40 lbs).

Compare the Leica Q3 vs Leica X-U in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the Q3 against the X-U.

Leica Q3 vs Leica X-U size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Q3 and X-U is 60 and 64 respectively.

Leica Q3 vs Leica X-U top view buttons comparison

Leica Q3 vs Leica X-U Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading specifications. The graphic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the Q3 and X-U.

Plainly, both the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Q3 using its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Leica Q3 will offer more detail with its extra 44MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The younger Q3 is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Leica Q3 vs Leica X-U sensor size comparison

Leica Q3 vs Leica X-U Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Q3 vs Leica X-U Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica Q3
Portrait photography with Leica X-U
90
manual focus
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
MP count high (60 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
75
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica Q3 Street photography details
Leica X-U Street photography details
74
has a tilting screen
image stabilization
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
provides touch focus
weather sealing
very good ISO range (100,000)
more heavy than competition in class (743 grams)
63
screen articulates fully
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (635g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica Q3 Sports photography information
Leica X-U Sports photography information
86
quiet mode (1/40,000 seconds)
image stabilization
MP count high (60MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery power (350 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
focal length is fixed (28mm)
54
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
better than average battery life (450 per charge)
can't change focal length (35mm)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica Q3 Travel photography factors
Leica X-U Travel photography factors
70
great battery power (350 CIPA)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
provides touch focus
MP count high (60MP)
very good maximum aperture (f1.7)
more heavy than competition in class (743 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
62
better than average battery life (450 shots)
environment proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
very good max aperture (f1.7)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (635g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica Q3 Landscape photography factors
Leica X-U Landscape photography factors
81
manual focus
very good maximum aperture (f1.7)
nice screen size (3.00 inch)
image stabilization
MP count high (60MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no low pass filter
very good ISO range (100,000)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
great battery power (350 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
63
you can focus manually
very good max aperture (f1.7)
pretty good screen size (3")
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery life (450 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica Q3 as a Vlogging camera
Leica X-U as a Vlogging camera
32
very good maximum aperture (f1.7)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (8192 x 4320 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (743g)
25
very good max aperture (f1.7)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic port
heavier than competition in class (635 grams)
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Leica Q3 vs Leica X-U Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Q3 and Leica X-U
 Leica Q3Leica X-U
General Information
Make Leica Leica
Model type Leica Q3 Leica X-U
Also Known as - Typ 113
Type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2023-05-25 2016-01-20
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 23.6 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 370.5mm²
Sensor resolution 60 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 9520 x 6336 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 100000 12500
Minimum native ISO 50 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 315 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) 35mm (1x)
Maximum aperture f/1.7 f/1.7-16.0
Macro focusing range 17cm -
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3.00" 3"
Display resolution 1,843 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.79x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 120 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/40000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 15.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 2.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes no built-in flash Automatic, automatic/red eye reduction, on, on/red eye reduction, long-term synchronization/red eye reduction, off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions C8K/8K at 30p/25/24p, C4K/4K at 60/50/30/24p, 1080p at 120/100/60/50/30/24p 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Highest video resolution 8192x4320 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 743 grams (1.64 lbs) 635 grams (1.40 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 80 x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") 140 x 79 x 88mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 450 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-SCL6 BP-DC8
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $5,999 $3,495