Your shopping cart

Hands On - Leica Q3 43
Reading time: 7 minutes - September 26, 2024 - by Markus Igel

Hands On - Leica Q3 43 - the better Q3?

Leica's Q series has arguably been the premium compact camera since its release. With high resolutions, a minimalist design and a super-sharp Lens, hardly anything was left to be desired. Only the focal length of 28mm didn't appeal to everyone and that's exactly what Leica wants to change with the Leica Q3 43.

The name: What is the Leica Q3 43 all about?

The Leica Q3 has been a popular choice among photography enthusiasts since its release in 2023. Now Leica is releasing a new version of the camera: the Leica Q3 43. The name gives a hint of what this version is all about - the new focal length of 43mm. Many have long wished for a Leica Q with a longer focal length, but the simple numerical upgrade in the name is perhaps not quite as elegant as the camera itself. But what counts are the inner values.

Exterior changes: A subtle new look

If you look at the Leica Q3 43 next to its predecessor, you will notice that little has changed on the outside. The leather has a slightly lighter tone and tends more towards gray, but the dimensions of the camera otherwise remain the same. Only the Lens has become slightly longer at 5mm, while the filter diameter of 49mm remains unchanged. The new glass elements make the camera 29g heavier, which has a slight effect on the balance.

Leica Q3 43 compact camera

  • APO-Summicron 43mm f/2 ASPH. fixed focal length
  • with integrated macro mode
  • BSI sensor with Triple Resolution Technology (18/ 36/ 60 megapixels) + up to 8k video
  • ISO 50 to 100,000
  • Hybrid AF system (PDAF + contrast autofocus + intelligent scene recognition)
  • Leica UX with intuitive operation
  • fast and convenient connectivity
  • with the Leica FOTOS app
  • up to 6 Leica Looks presets can be loaded directly onto the camera
  • new color with elegant grey leatherette
Hands On Leica Q3 43

The main difference: the new 43mm Lens

Let's get to the heart of the new features: The Lens. The original Leica Q3 was equipped with the 28mm 1.7 Summilux - ideal for wide-angle shots. With the new Leica Q3 43, however, we experience a different world: the brand new 43mm f2.0 APO Summicron opens up a new angle of view. Why did Leica opt for 43mm and not for the more popular focal lengths such as 35mm or 50mm? There are no official statements on this, but it is assumed that the 43mm was deliberately chosen to match the diagonal of the 60MP full-frame sensor and thus minimize distortion.

Sharpness test Leica Q3 43

Summicron instead of Summilux: one aperture, many advantages

The new 43mm Lens is a Summicron and no longer, as with the 28mm version, a Summilux. This means that the aperture has shrunk from 1.7 to 2.0 - and therefore has one third less aperture. This may sound like a disadvantage at first, but the Summicron has other, more significant advantages. In particular, it should be emphasized that it is an APO Lens.

APO Lens: Goodbye color fringing!

APO stands for apochromat, a term that stands for the correction of chromatic aberrations. Chromatic aberrations, also known as color aberrations, occur when lenses refract different colors of light to different degrees. This can lead to blurred color fringes. An apochromat such as the 43mm Lens from Leica drastically reduces these color fringes and ensures razor-sharp and true-color images. Leica places a particularly high value on quality here: only Lens that really eliminate almost all color errors are allowed to bear the APO designation.

Image detail Leica Q3
Image detail Leica Q3 43

Changes to the closest focusing distance and macro mode

The closest focusing distance of the new 43mm Lens also differs from the 28mm version. In normal mode you can now only get as close as 60cm (instead of 30cm), but in macro mode you can get as close as 26.5cm. This is slightly further away than the 17cm of the 28mm version, but the optical change to macro mode, where the aperture closes to 2.8, remains a highlight in operation.

Digital zoom: New steps for the Leica Q3 43mm

The digital zoom of the Leica Q3 is one of the main features that is also retained in the 43mm version. With the original Q3, you could switch between the focal lengths 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm and 90mm. The Leica Q3 43, on the other hand, offers zoom levels of 43mm, 60mm, 75mm, 90mm, 120mm and 150mm. However, it is important to note that these are digital crops and the resolution is reduced accordingly. Nevertheless, the full sensor image is saved in the RAW file so that the crop selection can be reversed in image processing afterwards.

Stefan's best gadget: POLARPRO Shortstache - Everyday - 1/4 Strength Black Mist

  • 1/4 Strength Black Mist - Everyday (¼ Mist) - Diffusion strength for subtle light reflections
  • Polarizing filter
  • 16 Coating - Anti-scratch - Anti-reflective - Anti-fingerprint
  • Aluminum frame in a subtle, matt green tone

Stabilizer, central shutter and focus: proven features remain

The optical image stabilizer of the Leica Q3 is also retained in the 43mm version and ensures steady shots, especially with the longer focal length. The mechanical central shutter, which enables flash synchronization up to 1/2000, has also been retained. Switching between autofocus and manual focus is still done via the finger recess - a little unusual at first, but very intuitive after a while.

Conclusion

Apart from the change in focal length, the Leica Q3 43 is essentially the same camera as the original model: the viewfinder, the new flip-up display, the battery, the connections, the sensor with triple resolution and 8K video are identical. However, it still lacks a microphone input, which makes it somewhat less attractive for videographers.



More about Leica

LIVE-TALK: Leica D-Lux 8 - More than a lifestyle camera | with Paul Hüttemann

On Tuesday, July 2, we spoke with photographer & filmmaker Paul Hüttemann about the new Leica D-Lux 8, the new premium compact camera from Wetzlar. In our conversation with Paul, we found out what the camera is capable of, how it helps you to capture the really special moments and whether it is perhaps even more than just a lifestyle camera!

watch again now

LIVE-TALK: Voigtländer - Lenses with charm

In a live talk, we spoke with Hamburg-based photographer Philip Rösler about Voigtländer lenses. We talked about what makes the charm and look of these lenses so special, which lenses Philip particularly likes to use and what results you can achieve with Voigtländer lenses. As with his camera, the Leica M10, the handling, look and feel of his lenses is particularly important to Philip. Do the Voigtländer lenses meet these requirements?

watch again now

Hands On: Leica SL3

The new full-frame flagship from Leica is finally here! Find out what makes the new SL3 so special compared to its predecessor in this blog post with video!

Watch now!

Watch again now | LIVE Talk: Mythos Leica with Olaf Wolf

On 12.10.23 starting at 18:00, we will talk about the myth behind Leica's cameras + lenses in our live stream with Leica expert Olaf Wolf. Why are they so popular and what are the differences to other manufacturers? Of course, you can also ask your questions about all Leica topics in the live chat and discuss with us!

watch again now

The new Leica Q3 in the test

We finally had the chance to test the new Leica Q3 for you. Find out here what this camera can do and why it is the most potent Leica yet.

View now

Interesting campaigns

First test of the Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM2 compared to the 16-35 GM1

The new Sony 16-35mm GM2 is here and sets new standards! It is lighter, sharper and even more compact than its predecessor! Therefore, we'll show you the direct comparison of the two G-Master lenses and tell you whether an upgrade is worth it!

Read now

Newsletter

Latest offers, exclusive benefits, news, events, info more

Subscribe now

Treasure trove for cameras, lenses more

If you are on a treasure hunt, you will find one or the other treasure in our treasure trove.

view now

Sell or trade used cameras lenses

Give your old photo treasures a new life! Do something good for the environment.

Save now

Also interesting

Tutorial: Teal + orange effect in post-processing

The teal + orange look has been a popular style for many years and is characterized by the contrast between the complementary warm and blue-green tones. In this article, we would like to show you how this look can be created in image editing using an example.

read now

Guide for bird photography

Great shots of birds are no longer a secret thanks to our guide! Take advantage of autumn and our tips to capture fantastic shots of birds this weekend.

Read now

Guide to waterproof cameras

One of the most difficult questions we are asked from time to time in our store in Düsseldorf is certainly the question of a waterproof camera. Because water is an element that electronics absolutely hate.

read now

Camera Basics #24 - What are video codecs?

This time, the topic of video codecs is aimed at videographers, or those who want to become one. Photographers are less likely to be able to use them, but extra knowledge rarely hurts. We explain how video codecs work and what they are used for. Video codecs are very complex, which is why we will go into many facets here and also how you can improve or worsen your video editing performance by using different codecs.

learn more