The Leica Q3 is an upcoming camera from Leica. There’s no two ways about it the Leica Q2 has been a hit for Leica and that creates a problem: How to you improve what is already great?
Introduction
The Leica Q2 has been a success for Leica because it is relatively affordable and accessible. It’s basically an M camera with a fixed 28mm Summilux that has no barrier to entry (Rangefinders take a while getting used to).
It’s even excellent for video and macro. So what’s there for the Leica Q3 to fill? What will be the improvements?
Leica Q3 rumors
There’s not much Leica Q3 rumors going around besides the obvious that it’s inevitable. There are certain things we can be sure about, it’s going to be full frame and keep the same size and build. That’s about it, the rest is up for grabs. But having into cameras for more than a decade, there’s a few predictions that can be made.
Leica Q3: What to expect
There are really two ways Leica can play this, either a refresh OR a worthy upgrade.
If Leica goes for the (most Likely) refresh route the the Leica Q3 will be a 28mm full frame camera with an f1.4 lens instead of f1.7. The resolution will be doubled making the digital zoom even better at all focal lengths. There will also be a dedicated barrel to go from 28mm to 75mm, with one more twist leading to Macro mode. To zoom in the macro mode you would use the button on the back instead.
This would be the Leica Q3 refresh route. If Leica decides it made a mark with the Q2 already, then it could go and keep everything about the Leica Q2 and make a 35mm f1.8 lens instead.
An argument against this is that Leica never deviated with focal lengths in the precursor to the Q line, the X cameras. They all had the same focal length of 35mm.
Hence they would have to keep the 28mm somehow. A zoom is unlikely unless they make a Leica Q Zoom and call it that. But the ultimate move for the Leica Q3 would be a triple focal length camera.
That is why if Leica decides to go radical, they would make the Leica Q3 with a tri-elmar lens: 28-35-50mm. The issue with this is that people would not be interested with an f/4 lens (That is the reason why the X Vario was shunned, no matter how sharp it was).
They could just keep the 28mm lens and then go the route Fuji took, they would sell extra conversion lenses. This would be a first but it would make sense business-wise.
The Leica Q2 lovers would get the same camera but with upgraded specs, while with conversion lenses the Leica Q3 would be the best buy for those who want M camera quality without the price tag or learning curve,
Because the Leica Q is the closest thing to a fully modern M. The CL and TL line are APSC sensors and the SL cameras are DSLR territory. They will never make an interchangeable rangefinder like camera because that would shoot their own Leica M sales (Even if most M shooters would keep the faith, newcomers would be attracted to the price and accessibility).
The conversion lenses would do the trick. It keeps the Leica Q separate from the M line and it would allow Leica to make more money. You can get the Leica Q3 for the same price as the Q2 on release (5k) but you could get it with 2 conversion lenses for 1k more.
If you think conversion lenses are a bit overkill, there are some photographers that will never crop their images so the fact that the Leica Q3 can have longer focal lengths natively would be attractive. Plus because the digital zoom is a crop, the only way to have raw files at 35mm or 50M would be with the conversion lenses.
Moreover with the conversion lenses (35mm and 50mm) the digital zoom would be even more powerful, making the Leica Q3 able to reach 100mm easily, but that would be JPG only of course.
Leica Q3 conclusion
I hope you have enjoyed this article about the Leica Q3. On the conservative side it will most likely have upgraded sensors and maybe a faster focal length. On the progressive side it would be just the above with the ability to add conversion lenses that turns the 28mm into a 35mm or a 50mm. If you can’t wait for the Q3, get the Q2 here.