Leica makes three very different 60 megapixel cameras, and on paper they can look like the same sensor in three coats. They are not. The Q3 is a fixed lens compact built around a 28mm Summilux. The M11 is a rangefinder you focus by hand. The SL3 is a full mirrorless system body with autofocus, stabilization and serious video. This guide puts the official numbers side by side, then explains who each one is really for.
Every figure below comes from Leica's own technical specification pages for the Q3, the M11 and the SL3. We have left prices out on purpose. Check Leica's store or an authorized dealer for the current figure.
The short answer
- Leica Q3: the one to carry every day. One superb lens, autofocus, a tilting screen, macro and 8K video in a body you can take anywhere.
- Leica M11: the one for people who want to slow down. Manual focus through an optical rangefinder, no video, and the whole M lens system in front of it.
- Leica SL3: the working camera. Interchangeable L-Mount lenses, fast autofocus, in body stabilization, weather sealing and a full video toolkit.
Leica Q3 vs M11 vs SL3: the spec table
| Spec | Leica Q3 | Leica M11 | Leica SL3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera type | Digital 35mm compact, fixed lens | Digital rangefinder system camera | Full frame mirrorless system camera |
| Sensor | 60.3MP CMOS (effective) | 60.3MP CMOS with Triple Resolution (60, 36 or 18MP) | 60.3MP CMOS (effective) |
| Lens or mount | Summilux 28 f/1.7 ASPH, 11 elements in 9 groups | Leica M bayonet | Leica L bayonet |
| Processor | Maestro IV | Maestro III | Maestro IV |
| Focus | Hybrid AF, 315 fields, macro from 17cm | Manual focus with optical rangefinder | Hybrid AF, 315 fields |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.79x | Optical rangefinder, 0.73x | EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.76x |
| Rear screen | 3 inch tilting touch, 1.84M dots | 2.95 inch touch, 2.33M dots | 3.2 inch touch, 2.33M dots, plus top display |
| Mechanical shutter | Leaf shutter, 120s to 1/2000s | Focal plane, 60 min to 1/4000s | 60 min to 1/8000s |
| Electronic shutter | Up to 1/16000s | Up to 1/16000s | Up to 1/16000s |
| Flash sync | Up to 1/2000s | Up to 1/180s | Up to 1/200s |
| Burst | Up to 15fps | 3 or 4.5fps | Up to 15fps |
| ISO range | 50 to 100,000 | 64 to 50,000 | 50 to 100,000 |
| Stabilization | Visual compensation system for photo and video | Not listed | 5 axis in body |
| Video | Up to C8K and 8K, ProRes in FHD | No video | Up to C8K and 8K, ProRes C6K and C4K, timecode |
| Storage | SD (UHS-II recommended) | 64GB internal plus SD | CFexpress Type B plus SD |
| Weather sealing | IP52 | Not listed | IP54 |
| Battery | BP-SCL6, about 350 shots (CIPA) | BP-SCL7, 1800mAh | BP-SCL6, about 260 shots (CIPA) |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 130 x 80.3 x 92.6mm | 139 x 38.5 x 80mm | 141.2 x 108 x 84.6mm |
| Weight | About 743g with battery | About 530g (black) or 640g (silver), with battery | About 769g without battery |
Leica Q3: one lens, no excuses
The Q3 is the easiest of the three to love because it removes the biggest decision in photography: which lens to bring. Leica pairs the 60.3MP sensor with a fixed Summilux 28 f/1.7 ASPH, and the camera can crop digitally to 35, 50, 75 and 90mm framing when you need a tighter view. The macro setting focuses from 17cm, which turns a street camera into something that also handles food, flowers and details on a desk.
The leaf shutter is the quiet star here. It syncs with flash all the way to 1/2000s, which the two system cameras cannot touch, so daylight fill flash becomes practical. Add the tilting 3 inch screen, IP52 sealing, USB C at 10Gbps, wireless charging and video up to 8K, and the Q3 is the most complete single box Leica sells. If you like the idea but want something special, our look at the Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition covers the longer lens variant.
Leica M11: the camera that asks you to focus
The M11 has the same headline resolution and nothing else in common with the others. There is no autofocus and no video. You look through an optical rangefinder at 0.73x magnification and turn the focus ring until the two images line up. Leica's Triple Resolution feature lets you record at 60, 36 or 18 megapixels, which is a sensible way to keep file sizes down when you do not need every pixel.
It is also the slimmest body here at 38.5mm deep, and the black version weighs about 530g with battery. Burst tops out at 4.5fps, the flash sync is 1/180s and the base ISO starts at 64. The 64GB of internal memory means a missing SD card never ends a day of shooting. The M11 is for photographers who already know the M lenses they want, or who want the process itself to be part of the reason they go out.
Leica SL3: the professional all rounder
The SL3 is the camera you build a kit around. It uses the L-Mount, so it takes Leica's SL lenses plus lenses from the wider L-Mount alliance. It has 5 axis in body stabilization, hybrid autofocus with 315 fields, up to 15fps, IP54 sealing and a mechanical shutter that reaches 1/8000s. The 3.2 inch touchscreen is joined by a small top display for settings at a glance.
Video is where it pulls clear. The SL3 records up to C8K and 8K, offers ProRes in C6K and C4K, writes to CFexpress Type B and SD, and has a timecode interface. It is also the heaviest at about 769g before the battery goes in, and the CIPA battery figure of about 260 shots is the lowest of the three. For the flagship take on this body, read our piece on the Leica SL3-P.
Which one should you buy
Choose the Q3 if you want one camera that does nearly everything well and fits in a coat pocket you are generous with. Choose the M11 if manual focus is the point, if you shoot mostly stills and if you value a small, quiet body over speed. Choose the SL3 if you need lens choice, stabilization, weather sealing and video that can hold up on a paid job.
One honest note on all three: the shared 60.3MP resolution is not the deciding factor. The deciding factor is how you like to focus and how many lenses you want to own. If you are still weighing smaller options, our guide to the best compact cameras covers alternatives from other makers.
Sources: official Leica Camera technical specification pages for the Q3, M11 and SL3, and Leica's camera overview.
More like this: browse every related post in our Leica and Film Photography Hub.
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