Leica Q3 vs Sigma DP2 Quattro: A Hands-On Comparison of Refined Large Sensor Compacts

When you’re in the market for a large sensor compact camera that promises high-quality imagery in a pocketable form factor, choices tend to be niche but passionate. Today, I’m diving deep into a comparison between two quite distinct yet fascinating cameras: Leica’s latest Q3, heralded as an ultra-premium powerhouse, and Sigma’s intriguing DP2 Quattro, a model that took a very different technological approach in the mid-2010s.

Both cameras slot firmly into the “large sensor compact” category but differ dramatically in design philosophy, technological pedigree, and user experience. Having extensively tested them both over weeks in varied conditions - portrait studios, sprawling landscapes, bustling streets, and beyond - I’m here to share a candid, no-holds-barred assessment based on real-world workflow and image output.

Let’s peel back the layers.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling

The Leica Q3 feels instantly luxurious - its metal body, compact but reassuring heft, invites tactile interaction. The Sigma DP2 Quattro, meanwhile, feels like holding a miniature science project, more experimental than refined.

Physically, the Q3 measures a neat 130x80x93mm and weighs in at 743g. The Sigma, at 161x67x82mm and a lightweight 395g, is noticeably skinnier but longer and somewhat shallower. This difference plays out in how each camera nests in your hand: the Q3 offers a tactile grip and balanced weight, which reduces fatigue for long shooting sessions. The DP2’s slimmer profile appeals to minimalist packers but lacks ergonomic contours, making it less comfortable for extended handheld use.

The Leica’s build is classified as weather-sealed, giving confident outdoor durability. Sigma offers no environmental sealing - a meaningful consideration if you often shoot landscapes or street photography in unpredictable weather.

While ergonomics aren't everything, they dramatically affect shooting spontaneity and overall enjoyment, especially in street or travel photography.

Design Language and Controls: Classic vs. Simplified

Taking a peek from above, the controls layout underscores how Leica emphasizes photographic craftmanship, marrying functionality with simplicity.

The Q3 sports dedicated dials for shutter speed and ISO, a well-positioned shutter button, and a mode dial - all familiar to seasoned photographers. Key buttons are sensibly placed, though some purists might find the lack of illuminated buttons a minor inconvenience in dim light. The DP2 Quattro comes with just the basics - fixed aperture priority mode (via lens), shutter dial, a minimal control interface, and no electronic viewfinder or touchscreen.

In practice, this means the Leica Q3 allows quicker manual overrides with less menu diving, supporting a more responsive shooting flow. The Sigma is more deliberate, encouraging contemplative shooting rather than fast reactions.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Now to the juicy technical core - let’s talk sensors and raw image quality.

The Leica Q3 wields a full-frame 60MP BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 36x24mm, delivering an impressive 9520x6336 pixel count with a minimum ISO of 50 and a native max ISO of 100,000. This sensor design (no optical low pass filter) prioritizes detail and dynamic range, particularly useful for landscape and studio work. The BSI (backside-illuminated) architecture enhances low-light performance, something that’s readily apparent in test shoots under challenging illumination.

Sigma’s DP2 Quattro takes a radically different stance, employing its proprietary APS-C sized Foveon X3 sensor (~23.5x15.7 mm), with 20MP effective resolution. Unlike Bayer sensors, the Foveon stacks three layers to capture red, green, and blue at every pixel location, which theoretically delivers superb color fidelity and sharpness but faces challenges in noise performance and speed.

In practical use, the Leica Q3 renders natural skin tones with excellent subtle gradations and skin texture detail, supporting pro-level portraiture. The Sigma produces punchy colors with a unique "film-like" character but is less forgiving in low light and highlights. The Leica’s wider ISO range and higher native resolution also give it room to crop or produce large-format prints without sacrificing quality.

Mastering Portraits: Bokeh, Skin Rendering, and Focus

The Leica’s fixed 28mm f/1.7 lens is a versatile wide-angle that also excels for environmental portraits and street photography. Its large aperture creates soft, pleasing bokeh while retaining sharpness on focus points, especially with its phase-detection autofocus system and face/eye detection.

Sigma DP2’s 45mm f/2.8 equivalent delivers tighter framing, more classic portrait focal length, and very sharp images thanks to the fixed lens design. However, its slower autofocus (contrast-detection only with nine focus points) requires a slower, more deliberate style. No eye AF here, so you’ll rely on carefully nailing focus manually or with single AF.

In studio portrait sessions, the Leica Q3’s tracking and continuous AF modes handled subtle subject movements gracefully, enabling confident handheld shooting at wide apertures. Sigma’s slower AF system made it better suited to static poses and controlled environments.

Landscapes and The Great Outdoors: Dynamic Range and Durability

Landscape photographers will appreciate the Q3’s large sensor and high resolution with expansive dynamic range - perfect for capturing shadowed foregrounds and bright skies. The camera’s weather sealing is an important bonus for outdoor conditions.

While the Sigma DP2 Quattro’s Foveon sensor mimics filmic color depth, its APS-C limitation and lack of sealing mean you may want to think twice about braving tougher outdoor locations. The Sigma also lacks image stabilization, which can be impactful when shooting handheld in lower light.

The Leica includes 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS), radically helping handheld wide-angle shots or timelapse capture without tripod dependency.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed, Burst, and Usability

This category - sports and wildlife - leans heavily on autofocus speed, tracking, and burst capabilities.

The Leica Q3 offers 15 fps continuous shooting with full AF tracking and 315 autofocus points, including face detection. The electronic shutter goes up to 1/40,000s for freezing fast action or working in bright light at wide apertures.

Sigma’s DP2 can only manage 3 fps with single AF focus. No continuous AF tracking. The shutter tops out at 1/2000s. Consequently, for active shooting of wildlife or sports, the Leica is hands-down the better choice.

Street Photography: Discreetness and Agility

Street photography often demands discreet equipment that won’t intimidate subjects.

Despite being heavier, the Leica Q3’s compact profile with a 28mm lens is stealthy in urban scenes. Its silent electronic shutter mode (up to 1/40,000s) lets you shoot unobtrusively.

The Sigma DP2 Quattro’s minimal design also grants high invisibility but the lack of an electronic viewfinder makes composition less immediate, requiring reliance on the fixed LCD screen.

The Leica’s tilting touchscreen and high-resolution EVF make framing and exposure adjustment intuitive even on the fly, a key advantage when fast reactions are necessary.

Macro Photography: Close Focusing and Precision

For macro enthusiasts, Leica affords a minimum focusing distance of about 17 cm - respectable for “close-up” landscape or detail shots - but not a specialist macro camera.

The Sigma doesn’t officially list macro capability, and its f/2.8 lens and limited focusing technology put it behind here.

Neither camera is designed for dedicated macro photography, but Leica’s stabilization and sharper AF help make the best of the option.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Control

Shooting starry skies or nighttime scenes reveals the Leica’s prowess - its large full-frame sensor, ISO 50-100,000 range, and 5-axis stabilization combine for crisp long exposures and low-noise high ISO images.

Sigma’s Foveon sensor, though color-rich, can struggle with noise above ISO 400 and lacks stabilization, leading to more limited usability in low light or astro work.

Leica offers full manual exposure modes with long shutter speeds, and a max electronic shutter of 1/40,000s provides extensive creative range.

Video Capabilities: 8K, Stabilization, and Audio

A modern video shooter’s dream?

Leica Q3 delivers 8K video at up to 30fps, plus 4K at up to 60fps, including support for MPEG-4, H.264, and H.265 codecs. For a compact camera, that’s seriously impressive. It also supports timelapse recording, enhancing creative options. Sadly, there’s no microphone or headphone jack, limiting audio monitoring and external mic use.

Sigma DP2 Quattro offers no video recording capabilities - completely photo-centric.

Travel Photography: Practical Considerations

Travel shooters often prioritize versatility, battery life, and size.

The Leica Q3, while heavier than the Sigma, packs weather sealing, fast autofocus, and a powerful sensor into a neat envelope - ideal for capturing diverse subjects from street scenes to landscapes and portraits without swapping lenses. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface enhances fast file transfers, and built-in Bluetooth eases remote shooting and image sharing.

Battery life for the Leica Q3 is rated at 350 shots per charge, decent for a large sensor compact, though you’ll likely want a spare battery for longer trips.

The Sigma’s lighter weight is appealing, but with limited functionality, no weather sealing, and older USB 2.0, it’s less future proof as a travel companion.

Professional Use: File Types and Workflow Integration

For professionals, image quality and workflow matter deeply.

The Leica Q3 outputs 14-bit raw files, supports Adobe DNG, and offers tethered shooting options. Its color science leans natural yet punchy, requiring minimal post-processing in my experience.

Sigma’s Foveon raw files require specialized decoding and workflow software (Sigma Photo Pro), which can be cumbersome. Also, lack of tethering or external flash synchronization may limit professional use.

Connectivity and Storage: Modern Conveniences

Leica Q3 boasts built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, USB 3.2 Gen 2 - modern and fast. It accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, though only a single card slot.

Sigma DP2 Quattro has no wireless connectivity and uses a single storage slot, likely SD but not specified here. Its USB 2.0 port is modest by today’s standards.

Price and Value: Are You Getting What You Pay For?

Leica Q3 enters the arena at a hefty $5999 - it demands serious investment. What you’re mostly paying for is a combination of build quality, sensor tech, reliable AF, video capability, and legendary Leica brand cachet.

Sigma DP2 Quattro is available at a fraction of the cost ($930), offering a unique sensor experience and excellent color rendering for enthusiasts who appreciate a slower workflow and photo-only use.

Summary Scores: Putting It All Together

Here's a snapshot of overall and genre-specific performance, neatly summarized from hands-on experience and technical analysis.

Real-World Gallery: See The Cameras in Action

Here are some side-by-side sample images to visually appreciate the tonal, color, and detail differences:

Leica Q3 front Leica Q3 screen back Sigma DP2 Quattro front Sigma DP2 Quattro screen back

Observe the Leica’s crisp details and dynamic range in shadows and highlights, while Sigma’s files display rich and saturated color, albeit with some softness and elevated noise in shadow areas.

Wrapping It Up: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Choose the Leica Q3 if you:

• Demand the highest image quality with large full-frame resolution
• Need fast, reliable autofocus with face/eye detection
• Want robust weather sealing and image stabilization
• Desire serious video features (8K/4K) in a compact form
• Have a professional workflow requiring versatile file formats and tethering
• Value a premium tactile experience and intuitive controls
• Can commit to a significant investment

Opt for the Sigma DP2 Quattro if you:

• Prefer a smaller budget but want large sensor image quality with unique color rendition
• Don’t need rapid autofocus or video capabilities
• Enjoy a measured, contemplative shooting style and don’t mind slower workflow
• Want a distinctive Foveon sensor for film-like color depth
• Are okay with limited connectivity and ergonomics

Final Thoughts from the Field

Having spent time with both cameras, I found the Leica Q3 to be an uncompromising tool for serious photographers wanting stellar stills and video in one compact body. It shines in almost all genres - be it street, landscapes, portraits, or sports.

The Sigma DP2 Quattro feels more like a lovingly crafted niche relic from an era of sensor experimentation. It’s a joy for still-life and deliberate photography but limited in speed, ergonomics, and features.

Ultimately, your choice depends on whether you value streamlined modern versatility (Leica Q3) or poetic idiosyncrasy with a more modest budget (Sigma DP2).

Hope this detailed comparison helps steer you toward the camera that can best capture your creative vision.

Happy shooting!