Leica Launches Monochrom Version of Q3
The Leica Q3 Monochrom is a black-and-white–only variant of the company’s compact full-frame camera with a fixed 28mm f/1.7 Summilux lens. It is based on the standard Q3 but replaces the color sensor with a monochrome version of Leica’s 60-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS chip: without a color filter array and without a low-pass filter, the sensor records only luminance information, which results in higher light efficiency, potentially increased sharpness, and improved noise performance. Leica states that the absence of a color filter improves tonal response and low-light output, though the trade-off is that highlight clipping cannot be mitigated through color-channel recovery, as is possible with a color sensor.
The optical configuration is unchanged from the color Q3: a 28mm f/1.7 lens with optical stabilization, an integrated leaf shutter, and a macro mode enabling focusing down to 17 centimeters. The camera also preserves the digital crop modes that simulate focal lengths of 35, 50, 75, and 90mm and Leica’s triple-resolution technology, allowing images to be saved at 60, 36, or 18 megapixels. Continuous shooting is available at up to 15 frames per second and ISO ranges from 100 to 200,000. Video can be recorded in monochrome at up to 8K resolution using H.265 compression, with 4K options available through H.264. The body also carries over the 5.76-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder and the tilting 3-inch touchscreen.
The Q3 Monochrom mirrors the physical design and environmental sealing of the Q3: it has an IP52 rating, which provides limited protection against dust and angled water spray and its controls follow the Q3 layout, including a dedicated aperture ring, a shutter speed dial, and a customizable command dial. The body is finished in matte black, with black-and-gray engravings and no red Leica logo. The leatherette covering differs from that of the standard Q3 and resembles the texture used on recent M-series cameras. Manual focus is engaged through a small button on the focus ring, and the lens maintains its focus-by-wire but linear-response behavior, accompanied by a distance scale.
The camera uses the BP-SCL6 battery, which provides a CIPA rating of around 350 shots and can be recharged via USB-C. It also includes 8GB of internal memory for buffering and supports wireless connectivity through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as USB-C and micro-HDMI ports.
A notable addition to this model is support for Content Credentials, the implementation of the Content Authenticity Initiative standard. Images can be saved with cryptographic metadata describing authorship, device information, editing history, and the presence of AI-based tools. Leica’s system depends on hardware integration, so existing Q3 bodies cannot receive this feature through firmware.
Although the Q3 Monochrom largely mirrors the specifications of the color Q3, it does not use the phase-detection autofocus system available on that camera. Instead, it relies solely on contrast-based detection, similar to previous Leica implementations. This produces a different focusing behavior from the hybrid system of the standard model.
The camera is compatible with most Q3 accessories, including the wireless charging handgrip and charging stand. Leica has also introduced additional accessories such as redesigned carrying straps, a monochrome-styled handgrip, and classic contrast filters in yellow, green, orange, and red.
The Q3 Monochrom is available through Leica stores and authorized retailers. Prices vary by region, including $7,790 in the United States, €6,750 in Europe, and £5,800 in the United Kingdom.
