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Leica Q3 43: Pictured with the B&W polarizing lens filter, 3rd party hood and Peak Design strap attachment points.

The Compact Workhorse That Earns Its Badge

Let’s get the basics out of the way. The Leica Q3 43 is a 60.3-megapixel full-frame digital camera with a fixed APO-Summicron 43mm f/2 ASPH lens. It weighs 772 grams with the battery, offers up to 15 frames per second in burst mode, and shoots in DNG and JPG formats with stunning clarity. It has 8K video capabilities, a 5.76 million dot EVF, a 3-inch tilting touchscreen, and IP52 weather sealing. It’s built like a precision instrument – because it is one.

Now let’s talk about what it’s like to actually use this thing.

The Leica Q3 43 is a work of art. From the moment you pick it up, it just feels… good. The magnesium alloy body is wrapped in textured leatherette and finished in a matte black that somehow resists both fingerprints and flashiness. It feels substantial in the best way – a camera that means business - nothing more and nothing less. Every dial, switch, and control ring is machined to tight tolerances. Just the right amount of grip. Just the right amount of tactile click. Whether you’re adjusting aperture on a chilly hike or shooting in a sweaty jungle, it’s all accessible and unfussy.

That rugged feel is backed up by IP52 weather resistance, which means it's protected against dust and light splashes, but not full submersion or heavy rain. During my time with the camera, I’ve shot through unexpected light rains while chasing color in coastal surf, and never once worried about the gear – just whether the waves would cooperate. Just make smart choices and you’ll be fine.

Menu navigation is intuitive and clean. Leica’s UI doesn’t bury anything important in seven layers of jargon. And transferring photos from camera to phone via the Leica FOTOS app? Seamless. The built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth actually work like they’re supposed to, making it easy to pull photos for sharing in the moment.

If you like experimenting, the camera supports Leica’s own ‘Leica Looks’ – digital profiles based on classic film styles and iconic shooters. They get baked into your JPEGs, so be mindful, but shoot RAW+JPEG and you’re golden. The JPEGs are gorgeous straight out of camera, but the RAWs give you room to go wild later.

Of course, the Q3 lets you go fully manual – ISO, shutter, aperture, all of it – so if you want full control of the ol’ light triangle, you’ve got it. But if you just want to grab a killer shot of your kids running around at golden hour without fiddling? Set it to auto. This thing doesn’t judge. It just performs. I also want to add that you can program a few of the buttons and a dial on the top to do exactly what you want, when you want. And that taking those moments to figure out which features you use (and change) the most will really boost the efficacy of an already awesome camera.

Speaking of speed: the Q3 can shoot up to 15fps in continuous mode. Combine that with the hybrid AF system – contrast, depth mapping, and phase detection – and you’re getting sharp shots even when life isn’t slowing down for your lens. If you have pets, kids, or a love of cars then you know what I mean.

The built-in APO-Summicron 43mm f/2 ASPH lens is a gem. Razor sharp. With natural bokeh that doesn’t look forced or digital. That 43mm focal length gives you a look that’s close to what your eye sees—perfect for street shots, portraits, or anything you want to capture with an as-it-happened feel. And if you want more reach, there’s built-in digital zoom that mimics 60mm, 75mm, 90mm, and beyond (just remember: if you’re only shooting JPEG, those crops are permanent).

Battery life is solid – Leica rates it for about 350 shots per charge, and in my experience, that holds up. Honestly – it might be a little on the conservative side. USB-C and wireless charging are both onboard, which makes powering up on the go easy, especially if you're juggling multiple devices.

If I have one pet peeve with the Q3, it’s the stock lens hood. In their infinite wisdom, Leica designed it so you can’t use the OEM hood and a lens filter (even a slim one) and still access the macro function. When you twist the lens into macro mode, the lens physically extends – because, well, physics – and if you’ve added a filter, you’re going to bang the lens against the inside of the hood. It’s a baffling design oversight, especially on a camera that costs this much. I assume Leica kept it this way to maintain the same overall lens dimensions as the standard Q3, but still – for this kind of money, there should at least be an alternative hood option. Spoiler: there isn’t.

There are third-party workarounds, like the magnetic flip cap from PolarPro, but honestly? I tried it, and the balance was off. Front-heavy, awkward, just not my vibe. Thankfully, someone out there solved it. I found a replacement hood that fits perfectly, feels like an original part, and – most importantly – gives you the space you need to run a filter without sacrificing macro-mode access. I bought it. I love it. I recommend it. HERE is the Amazon link - don’t hesitate!

This is a camera built for people who want to carry their camera. It's compact enough to slip into a daypack, rugged enough to trust when the weather turns, and handsome enough to leave out on a table without looking like a DSLR exploded.

There’s a saying in photography: the best camera is the one you have with you. This is that camera. And not just because of its size – because you’ll want to have it with you. I came to the Q3 43 from the original Leica Q3, which ships with a wider 28mm Summilux lens. Both cameras are brilliant, but the shift to the 43mm APO-Summicron suited my shooting style better – it meant less time cropping after the fact and more time enjoying the images. If you prefer a wider field of view, the Q3 is also an incredible choice, and one I’d never argue against (and to that end, both are linked below). Either way, you're getting world-class glass.

And yes, this camera is expensive – there’s no getting around that. But the photos you’ll take with it? Genuinely priceless. If you’ve been wondering whether the Leica magic is real… it is.

Welcome to the Leica tribe.

Check out the Leica Q3 43 and Leica Q3 on Amazon.

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Other photography kit I use (some tangentially photographed or mentioned here) – all of which I love and gladly recommend:

Lens Hood: Haoge Lens Hood

UV Filter: B+W UV Filter (010 UV-Haze MRC Nano)

Polarizing Filter: B+W 49mm Master High Transmission Circular Polarizer

Camera Strap: Peak Design Slite Lite Camera Strap

Camera Bag: Billingham 72 Small Camera Bag

Travel Tripod: AOKA Carbon Fiber Mini Tripod