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Leica Q3 vs Leica X Vario

Portability
60
Imaging
84
Features
77
Overall
81
Leica Q3 front
 
Leica X Vario front
Portability
62
Imaging
58
Features
51
Overall
55

Leica Q3 vs Leica X Vario 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
  • Older Model is Leica Q2
Leica X Vario
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-70mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 680g - 133 x 73 x 95mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Superseded the Leica X2
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Leica Q3 vs Leica X Vario Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Leica Q3 versus Leica X Vario, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both built by Leica. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the Q3 (60MP) and X Vario (16MP) and the Q3 (Full frame) and X Vario (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The Q3 was unveiled 10 years later than the X Vario and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the Q3 scores versus the X Vario for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica Q3 over the Leica X Vario

 Q3 X Vario 
RevealedMay 2023June 2013Fresher by 122 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1843k920kSharper display (+923k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Leica X Vario over the Leica Q3

 X Vario Q3 

Common features in the Leica Q3 and Leica X Vario

 Q3 X Vario 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display size3.00"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Leica Q3 vs Leica X Vario Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Leica Q3 comes with exterior dimensions of 130mm x 80mm x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 743 grams (1.64 lbs) while the Leica X Vario has measurements of 133mm x 73mm x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 680 grams (1.50 lbs).

See the Leica Q3 versus Leica X Vario in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the Q3 compared to the X Vario.

Leica Q3 vs Leica X Vario size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the Q3 and X Vario is 60 and 62 respectively.

Leica Q3 vs Leica X Vario top view buttons comparison

Leica Q3 vs Leica X Vario Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing only by checking specs. The visual here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q3 and X Vario.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Q3 with its larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Leica Q3 will resolve greater detail having an extra 44 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The younger Q3 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica Q3 vs Leica X Vario sensor size comparison

Leica Q3 vs Leica X Vario Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Q3 vs Leica X Vario Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica Q3 as a Portrait photography camera
Leica X Vario as a Portrait photography camera
90
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
amazing resolution (60 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica Q3
Street photography with Leica X Vario
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
boasts focus by touch
environment proof
above average high ISO (100,000)
more heavy than others in class (743g)
53
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (680g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica Q3 Sports photography highlights
Leica X Vario Sports photography highlights
86
quiet shutter (1/40,000s)
built in image stabilization
amazing resolution (60 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
good battery (350 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
can't change focal length (28mm)
54
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (450 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica Q3 as a Travel photography camera
Leica X Vario as a Travel photography camera
70
good battery (350 per charge)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
amazing resolution (60 megapixels)
fast max aperture (f1.7)
more heavy than others in class (743 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
56
good battery (450 CIPA)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (680g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica Q3 Landscape photography features
Leica X Vario Landscape photography features
81
has manual focus
fast max aperture (f1.7)
good sized screen (3.00 inches)
built in image stabilization
amazing resolution (60MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (100,000)
saves RAW files
environment proof
good battery (350 per charge)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
61
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good battery (450 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica Q3 as a Vlogging camera
Leica X Vario as a Vlogging camera
32
fast max aperture (f1.7)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization
includes face detect autofocus
good video quality (8192 x 4320 pixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (743 grams)
25
fairly wide (28mm)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (680 grams)
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Leica Q3 vs Leica X Vario Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Q3 and Leica X Vario
 Leica Q3Leica X Vario
General Information
Company Leica Leica
Model type Leica Q3 Leica X Vario
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2023-05-25 2013-06-11
Physical type 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 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 60MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 9520 x 6336 4928 x 3272
Highest native ISO 100000 12500
Minimum native ISO 50 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 315 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) 28-70mm (2.5x)
Highest aperture f/1.7 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance 17cm -
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.00 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,843k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.79x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 120 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/40000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 15.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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
Highest video resolution 8192x4320 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 743 grams (1.64 lb) 680 grams (1.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 80 x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") 133 x 73 x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1320
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 450 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-SCL6 BP-DC8
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at launch $5,999 $2,950