Leica Q3 Initial Review: The BEST Street Photography Camera EVER?

[@ericaceous1652]

Keep em coming Chris & Jordan - will never have the money for a Leica, but more than happy to watch you guys discuss one.

[@joonjae]

buy a used Leica Q mk1. The prices are going to tank on them now. That is more camera than most people need for a point and shoot anyway!

[@eidrag]

there's d-lux or other model that are essentially rebrand lol

[@joonjae]

@@eidrag dlux and other lumix rebrands are not the same as a leica q.

[@eidrag]

@@joonjae I know, just to poke at rebrand leica vs camera made by leica.

[@21jlxi]

There is still hope, as long as you're happy to live without an arm and a leg!

[@LoightaFluwid]

Man Chris and Jordan are on fire releasing videos after joining Petapixel. Us Petapeeps could not have wished for more.

[@LoightaFluwid]

Can you guys also do a video comparing the Mmidrange full frame cameras such as the A7IV, R6ii, S5IIX, Z6II

[@niccollsvideo]

​@@LoightaFluwid We love to do general comparisons and rankings. It will absolutely happen as soon as the companies stop making all these new cameras!!

[@fellowcitizen]

I thought we were PetaPixies

[@arpitkumargahlot]

​​​@@fellowcitizen No, I hear PetaPickles. Rhymes with Chris Niccolls.

[@adamwhittingham86]

As long as it's not Petaphiles I'm happy

[@cameralabs]

As someone who's amazingly not spent much time with this series, I'm genuinely interested in the price justification. Obviously many of the specs are familiar from more affordable cameras, so is the money here mostly going on the lens? The build? The design? The brand? The processing? The exclusivity? I'm not putting it down, nor any luxury product, but again I genuinely wondered about the value / performance aspect. I also realise there are some products that just make their owners feel good, and that can be priceless and hard to quantify, and equally I know as you get higher-end in any category, you're paying a lot for often small improvements. I have that with hifi and coffee for example! I suspect this sensor and AF system will end up in a future high-end Lumix body, possibly the S1R successor, and I bet the EVF res won't miraculously stay high while autofocusing on final firmware as it's a common issue across multiple cameras and brands. Anyway, I'm delighted to see any new fixed lens compact - we need more of them, and I wish Panasonic would re-enter the fray with a new LX. Wonder what's next for the X100 series too...

[@joonlee8510]

There is no 'value' in a Leica product. It's about a handmade product from a luxury camera maker although these modern digital Leicas are probably less handmade than their film cameras. Get a Fuji or Panny if you want value - no disrespect intended.

[@edclevel402]

That little red badge adds $2-5k to the price.

[@logtothebase2]

The brand It is everything here, and what goes with it for materials and engineering quality, design aesthetic the and visceral ownership experience of a luxury item.

[@robmcd]

I wouldn’t ordinarily consider such a camera but 2 years ago I went on holidays with an XT4 a 16 1.4 and 35 F2… I pretty much used the 16 99% of the time.. This camera feels like a one and done solution. But due to the price there are many countries I wouldn’t take this lens in fear of theft. I’ve owned the X100V and sold it and I won’t buy it again because the battery is too small and the EVF feels too small for me. An X100V with a 18mm 1.7, XPro3 sized EVF, 5.76 res, dual card slot with XT4 battery would 100% make it on my shopping list.

[@cameralabs]

@@robmcd I have an X100V and really like it. I agree both the battery and viewfinder could be bigger, but otherwise it's almost perfect for me. If they fitted the 40mp sensor in the next one, they could also go for a wider lens and exploit cropping. Your spec list sounds great, but price aside, I fear it would become too large and lose some of its charm.

[@ScaleDreamsStudio]

You two guys are the only one I'll watch about this and any other camera. And Chris's Fishing channel. Wonderful Job!

[@user-kj3ch3ke8m]

Having taken early retirement, I got back into photography one year ago (after a long, long...long break). Chris's review of the Lumix FZ2500 was one of the first, and best, things I watched. Chris and Jordan as a pair are even better! Keep up the great work. 👍👍👍

[@klarkolofsson]

Good choice, time is precious

[@user-kj3ch3ke8m]

@@klarkolofsson Thanks! You're referring to the FZ2500? If so, nice to have the corroboration - I've read lots of reviews of this camera, nearly all of which praise the video capabilities of the FZ2500, and which, while they're complimentary, are less effusive about it's performance as a stills camera. Having owned it for a year, I have to say that I am very happy with it. Certainly I could spend three times the money and get something superior...but I'd have to spend three times the money!

[@peternavanac9310]

Awesome, as usual. Shows like this are what makes KZbin worth watching.

[@mangeshdhore]

First the camera store, then the dp review and now the peta pixel. Man this guy takes us to places 😊

[@aviatorman8]

Love the 28 mm focal length and with the 60 MP it just got better for more flexibility cropping in.

[@RickGTI2019]

For a Leica film photographer, this was the easiest explanation of the Q3, to understand. Thanks, Rick….. 🌴

[@UltraBrew]

That's awesome. Great to se you guys back in action right away!

[@akosszilvasi]

I knew, I knew...I have to start "selling" this camera to my wife who, of course, wouldn't understand why I need yet another camera. I used to have the Q1 and loved it. Then I moved to the Sonys (which are more practical than any Leica) but the Q3 is a gem. Not only a great camera.

[@craigcarlson4022]

Man, you Canadians are rough on your basketball nets! ;-). And, appreciate the way you've jazzed up the video production.

[@spektrograf]

SO glad you guys are still cranking on PetaPixel! I'd like to know about how effective the IBIS is with the 60MP sensor. Also, is there any benefit with the lower resolution settings because I understand it still uses the entire sensor. Does the camera pixel bin to have any improvement in dynamic range or noise in that case (if it does)? (edit: it seems Leica might have confirmed a while back that on the M11 there's no benefit to dynamic range or noise when selecting a lower resolution…wonder if that's still the case with the Q3?) (edit 2: Kai W reports that medium and small file sizes gets a 1 stop increase in dynamic range over large)

[@1vegasdood]

Excited the Q3 is out. I hope to pick one up in Octoberish.

[@jpg7878]

Great to have you guys here! Excellent videos, thank you!

[@MichaelSchagen]

I just keep an eye on these Leica cameras as they may offer clues to what future Panasonic cameras may offer.

[@JJ-fromDK]

I am so glad you guys are still around

[@JenniferKlinger]

Jordan, you made Chris look so good in this video. Very nice Color Grading.

[@CianMcsweeney]

Will never be able to justify the cost of the Q's(a Leica M will always be the goal), but will always admire from afar

[@Eyeofkamau]

@@SomeDudeSomewhere 100% agree.

[@CianMcsweeney]

@@SomeDudeSomewhere i have an X-H1, and have previously owned an x-t30, Fuji's are great but I own a Leica M4 and used a Leica Q before in store, and I'm sorry, they're in another league to Fuji's offerings. Overpriced? Most definitely, but that's because they have literally zero competition

[@marvinling1434]

@@CianMcsweeney Yea Fuji is great not until the fix their crappy App. I’m using X100V, the App is the worst in the industry. But performance is great 👍🏼

[@CianMcsweeney]

@@SomeDudeSomewhere it's not about technical quality, nowadays any decent camera from the last 5 years is more than enough quality wise, it's about the experience of using the camera, something Fuji does better than most other manufacturers, but Leica is abother step up again

[@CianMcsweeney]

@@SomeDudeSomewhere and I disagree 🤷 there definitely are rich people who treat leicas as a fashion accessory and never actually use it, but it's also unquestionably true that they simply do certain things better than other brands: 1) Large optical viewfinder with a optical focus patch 2) 70 year lineup of high quality manual focus lenses, the lenses are also way smaller than even APSC lenses. 3) simple and intuitive physical and software controls. Now those things may not be important to you, and that's fine, but that doesn't mean that they are only "good because they cost a lot". The reason they were able to get away with charging so much in the first place is because they made a good product, the pricing *is* out of control, but it doesn't take away the actual tangible benefits the cameras have

[@ZainDoMore]

Getting mine this Saturday. Extremely excited!

[@chumleyk]

Fair play to Leica... they have survived the digital crisis and now they are well and truly a Veblen brand. They only have to do minimal upgrades and you will want it.

[@CianMcsweeney]

It's the way the entire consumer camera industry is going eventually (probably not to the same extreme prices)

[@MichaelCortese1]

Anyone in this Leica class were going to upgrade even if it had less features than the Q2 lol. From someone on the outside looking in this is just about the most soulless camera I've ever seen from Leica

[@rd_rae]

Jesus you two are fast with this, very nice! 😊

[@117775EM]

Great to see you and Jordan thriving!

[@richarddenise3886]

Thanks germs. Appreciate the first actual look, even if pre-production!!!

[@HartponderJr]

I will wait 10 years and get it 500 dollars cheaper

[@huanliya]

哈哈哈哈，我也一样

[@brunob8827]

So true hahah

[@jgaffney567]

Not gonna happen.... prices will go up and depreciation will not be that drastic

[@CM_7]

I‘m way more optimistic and budgeting 4000 Euro for 2033. I‘ll have to save 400 per year or 1.10 per day in case I‘m hoarding cash instead of investing. In other words, it‘s one less hamburger per day at McDonalds, and I don‘t like McDonalds. So, where‘s the problem? 🎉

[@highrro]

😂😂😂

[@SamHowson]

Would love to hear more about the video functionality - we've recorded separately for years! It has a scratch track - so bingo!

[@creature57]

I might buy one of these so I look forward to seeing a more in-depth review. Thanks guys.

[@vor_ben]

I'm really looking forward to the camera, even though I'll probably never be able to afford it.

[@ArminHirmer]

Waiting for the Q3 after loving the Q2M. HDMI out, well with no mic jack kind of funny. But it's a stills camera for me anyways. Time to sell some cameras :D

[@seamuskay7664]

The burst information is fantastic, thank you.

[@danielmaluba7862]

I'm still shooting with the original Q and it's fine. Thank you very much...

[@monsieurm6975]

What a beautiful, very classic looking camera. I would definitely love to take it out for a test drive. 😊

[@mignav464]

2:18 That fantastic 28mm lens is the best 26mm lens Leica ever built: I did a comparison between my Q and a friend's Batis 25, and it turns out the outputs were almost identical.

[@mex5341]

what about Fuji xs20 ??

[@MatteaMazzella]

oh here you guys are! glad you're still around 😊 phew!

[@thegrumpycanadian274]

Best intro ever. When You consider a upper end Mirrorless from Canon, Sony or Nikon with a fast prime and You are at about the same money. Maybe it's time for a Leica for Me.

[@gschweiger]

It's time for Ricoh to send a K3 Monocrome to Calgary. I want to see Chris giddy with monochrome excitement.

[@luisarturohernandezramirez5910]

Did they ever release an actual review?

[@DavidHollinshead]

I was a bit confused as to how 5.76M Dot EVF == 1600 x 1200 but it is perhaps a ECX339A OLED Microdisplay (or something similar). The Resolution is described as UXGA（1600×RGB×1200). To me this feels like it is really just a 1.92M dot EVF albeit an especially nice OLED display...

[@MichaelSchagen]

When the resolution is specified in dots, it is the number of sub-pixels which are each either red, green or blue (or sometimes other sets of colors are used). One pixel is usually composed of three sub-pixels. 1600*1200*3=5760000

[@DavidHollinshead]

@@MichaelSchagen I get it and I agree but if someone described my 4K OLED TV as a 24,883,200 dot display it would feel to me like a a bit of a marketing swizz although technically accurate.

[@MuhammadKharismawan]

Nice, I have my RX1R for this use and still have no plan to s pm urge anything even remotely close to a Leica price but man... We need more of this type of camera

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

Running so fast the fence was bending… Jordon is an impressive athlete for sure

[@OpenDGuitar]

Always love your perspective! I’m only 1yr into the Q2…so I have to be responsible and wait on a Q3, as delicious as it sounds.

[@Bethos1247-Arne]

OMG the lens rendering looks fantastic.

[@geoffreybassett6741]

I want the SL3 with this sensor out ASAP!

[@fellowcitizen]

There is an L-mount with a probable version of this sensor - i.e. the Sigma fp L.

[@jasonwhinnery4134]

Where is your review of the Fuji X-S20??

[@Joe32942]

Thank you for the review. I stick with the "normal" Q since this is enough for my purpose.

[@brianmiller921]

We’re you able to test long exposure? Does it still have ISO/time limitations?

[@PetaPixel]

We'll test that with the production model. -Jordan

[@gewglesux]

Glad you guys feature Leica when they drop something New.

[@katelockhart4441]

Please, please, please test the heck out of that AF. I'd love to know how it compares to the Q2 as well as Sony, Canon, etc.

[@MikeyTachuk]

cranking out the content boys! nice first look 👍

[@HokgiartoSaliem]

Please make initial review for: EOS R100 and X-S20. Thank you.

[@MrTmiket0007]

Thanks for sharing another wonderful video like always, keep up with the awesome content

[@gregpantelides1355]

I wonder why they did not implement a 2 axis tilt screen for vertical shooting?

[@c73w]

Wondering if the manual focus ring is so sensitive as sony lenses

[@Erica101289]

Hi Jordan and Chris, can you please consider doing another video similar to 'The Great Jpeg Shootout' again?! I found it was a great intro for a beginner like me and let me compare photos side by side from the numerous brands. You guys are doing a great job as always, hope you're settling in! x

[@niccollsvideo]

We really want to! It just takes so much setup and we are swamped. Definitely looking at it though.

[@ChaconStuff]

What's with the three contact points on the bottom?

[@Merjia]

I love watching these; for the tech, the photos, and the fact that I will never be able to afford a Leica.

[@angelocalianno1620]

In your opinion, considering the super high resolution sensor, won't the pictures be too much heavy for the laptop to edit and postproduce? Thanks a lot...

[@niccollsvideo]

Nah, I feel even modest machines can work on these files without too much trouble. Storage can be an issue if you shoot a lot, but that's an easy fix.

[@angelocalianno1620]

@@niccollsvideo thanks a lot❤️

[@tonyadamis4171]

Doesn't the Q3 60MP sensor actually allow you to crop in-camera to 90mm?

[@ramelsen]

Would love to see pictures taken in near darkness, like at a concert or streetphoto at night, with super high ISO.

[@AMASportsPhotoAgency]

lots of downloads on the Leica site

[@Byte_J]

Peter Mckinnon took it to a concert and took some nice low light shots in some difficult conditions. Check out his review.

[@oerglwoergl]

It's always nice to see one of those affordable cameras :)

[@skepsys]

why no fujifilm x-s20 review?

[@B9scrambler]

Really hope they backtrack on no onboard memory by release. At this price and with the precedent set by the M11, it should be there.

[@extremelydave]

A single slot SD card? No CF express? And no internal memory? Shame on you Leica!!!!

[@IFrancyISantosI]

No coverage of the X-S20 guys? Would be interesting to see it from you

[@stalman]

Jordan are you using every prime lens in the Lumix kit? This video looks great

[@PetaPixel]

Thanks Tyler! This was actually shot with just the lovely Panasonic 24-70mm F2.8. Still my favourite standard zoom out there. -Jordan

[@ALWH1314]

Damn, I was hoping to find reason why I wouldn’t want to upgrade my Q2 to Q3, but that tilt screen and new focusing are hard to resist.

[@smith507]

I found the perfect reason to update my original Q!

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

I thought I would need to upgrade until I realized it's all the same cr@p.

[@rumporridge1]

Probably will upgrade my Q-P to a Q3 but definitely ain’t selling my original.

[@yahyalemnouar7414]

Waiting for your feedback on the x-s20

[@AdelmoSilvaPhoto]

Great video as always. Keep up the good work.

[@johnmedany9294]

Did you get a chance to do a final production review with final firmware ?

[@mike_qbik]

Would like to see image stabilisation for video and video crops out of the 8k video, please.

[@PetaPixel]

Stay tuned...

[@rezasadeghi1050]

Does the OIS work in video?

[@LouMora-x8b]

When switching focal lengths, does it add compression or only crop in?

[@SicksomniA]

Can you test if you could force an external mic via a native USB-C mic input adapter. Also I Would like to see how the external recording performs. thank you.

[@IrfanKhokharFilms]

nice.. no matter what but you guys always have honest opinion.. great review!

[@tomscott4438]

I would have thought that wireless charging might have warranted a mention. Yes you need the optional grip (which is an even better hand hold IMHO) but that's still very cool.

[@jl9752]

I love this new intro

[@tictacaus1554]

Do we think the USB type C port would support a Mic input?

[@MarcioK]

Good review. But was waiting for your review (or preview) of the Fujifilm X-S20, and...nothing. Fujifilm launch strategy for the X-S20 is weird, to say the least.

[@enriquesaez1996]

I just subscribed? Why is dprevirew still on and these fellas are not there? Why?

[@PetaPixel]

Long story. Short version is that Chris and I will be on the PetaPixel channel going forward, but DPReview looks like they will still be publishing videos on their own channel without us. - Jordan

[@enriquesaez1996]

@@PetaPixel you both are the reason why I visited that site loyally, even since the time you were with that camera site. Good luck. Your talent is impossible to miss.

[@OhItsTeddy]

buying this first thing tomorrow for sure

[@senseofeverthing]

Is there going to come a review of the full production Q3? I‘m struggling with the price and think about getting a used Q2 instead, therefore the full review would be helpful

[@slhibbs]

Chris can this take long exposures at high ISO. Can we get milky way shoots with this camera

[@editor0range]

for the review: what´s the sweet spot of the ISO dual gain, if this sensor has it? in photo AND video - Jordan, please! and a graph would be cool too see how dynamic range deteriorates with ISO gain. thanks!

[@editor0range]

and show us the jpg engine in comparison to fuji! that´s what matters most to me. skin tones, highlight rolloff etc.

[@takuan650]

Interesting first look. The tilt screen would be the only feature that really tickles me. Nothing else would make me 'upgrade'.

[@brianaddison2828]

yeah, a lot of the features are common things on some other models to improve quality of life or user experience it sounds like.

[@rogerhuston8287]

Can it be used as a webcam with the HDMI out?

[@andersistbesser]

u usesed the pana s5x for this. which color profile you used? did you grade this?

[@PetaPixel]

This was shot in the V-Log profile and manually graded. -Jordan

[@masterprintmaker]

has anybody here figured out how to set the Q3 up, so that AE is not locked via shutter button half press in AF/S mode ( p.117 Q3 manual )

[@zenjitsuman]

Can't get one. Adorama says we will have to wait till 11/23 six more months. I ordered from B&H 6 days ago and no news yet. I was waiting for 18 months to get a Fuji x100v and now will spend 3x more for the Leica.

[@yuichichi]

Is there any improvement to its geotagging feature?

[@jam91280]

Really considering getting this camera. About two years ago, I dropped around $10k on a Canon R5, a few lenses and accessories. And I hardly use it! I was initially dissatisfied with how my pics were coming out. I thought putting it in Auto mode until I had time to, figure out the camera, would produce great results. It didn’t. Faces were always very soft, slightly out of focus. I have to manually put the shutter speed faster. Anyways, let’s stay on point here. My camera bag is heavy. I find it a chore to carry it around when traveling, which is what I mainly bought the camera for. And even when I did have my bag with me, I find that I hardly swap out lenses. It’s gotten to a point where I will just take the camera with one lens (24-70). But even that is a bulky set up and I don’t always take it with me. I have literally gone to Europe and didn’t bring the camera at all because it was too much to lug around (places I frequent like Germany. Will ALWYAS bring the camera if it’s a new place or my son is with me). I have been eye balling the Hasselblad X2D, lusting over the image quality. But I would be in the same predicament I’m in now and it’s crazy expensive. Then the Q3 dropped. Beautiful, takes great pictures, a lot smaller than my current set up. I do have an appreciation for higher build quality as well. This just might re inspire my love for taking pics, and I can start taking it with me to most places again. 😊 I dunno, just posting my thoughts as they come, haha. Sorry for long post.

[@findermanimages]

Similar story here. I have had several Fuji cameras and many lenses. I found the choice overwhelming! I do like the X-Pro 2 with the 18mm F2 (my poor man's Leica setup). But it isn't a Leica. I also use the M10 monochrome recipe which yields great results - but it isn't a Leica. I used the Q2 several years ago and instantly fell in love with it. Funding was an issue so I never bought one. Now I can, but I really don't know which way to go: Q2, Q2M (I love b&w) or Q3. Choices!!

[@Aneliuse]

I used a different solution. I mingled my eos R with the new 28mm RF pancake lens and called it a day. Maybe one day i will try out the leica series

[@jam91280]

@@findermanimages let us know which one you get!

[@findermanimages]

@@jam91280 I have pre-ordered a Q3 😊

[@REMRODFILMS]

no sir, would never buy this thing over a gfx system, not worth it to me. Great video!

[@chandrayeesoneja879]

Here for the intro ❤

[@nabilprapanca]

love the new intro :)

[@craigcarlson4022]

Leica, If you want to really tempt those of us who haven’t bought into a Leica please please please offer a version with a 35-40mm lens. Zooming in with the step crops, as this model allows, is not the same.

[@3sixty2degres]

I find that with 60mgp the crop modes make more sense. I have the Q and a m4 and I tried to convince myself that I wouldn't fall into the trap of the Q3... well I think that the few upgrades seem to be a good enough reason to get one. But I kinda feel bad for my Q cause it's still so great... in a way there's no justification for switching from Q to Q3... still....

[@kper5592]

So excited about this.

[@timallgaier469]

It seems like there is a USB-C Port. Are you able to charge the camera with that?

[@simonhill6744]

@jordan could you comment of some reviews that have gone up claiming that Leica intend to use the USB-C slot for audio?

[@franciscocunhaetavora9132]

Where is the Q3 monochrome?!

[@TwoOneSe7en]

Leica, please enable audio recording via the usbc port. 3mm adapter and off we go.