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Leica

M10

Digital M rangefinder with 24MP full-frame sensor, classic controls, and no video distractions.

$6,495

Launch price

Released Jan 2017

vs
Q3 Monochrom

Leica

Q3 Monochrom

Monochrome full-frame Q3 with 60MP sensor and fixed Summilux 28mm f/1.7 lens for black-and-white reportage.

$6,795

Launch price

Released Nov 2025

Q3 Monochrom is 8.8 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

M10

WildlifePortrait

Wins

5categories

Q3 Monochrom

LandscapePortrait

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

M10 wins 2 categories·Q3 Monochrom wins 3 categories
  • BQ3 Monochrom has higher ISO max (native) (200,000 vs 25,600)
  • BQ3 Monochrom has higher Resolution (60.3 MP vs 24 MP)
  • BQ3 Monochrom has lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
  • AM10 has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 4 fps)
  • AM10 has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)

Key specs at a glance

M10Q3 Monochrom
Resolution24 MP60.3 MP
SensorAPS-CFull Frame
ISO max25,600200,000
Burst20 fps15 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS7-stopNo
Weight660 g743 g
Battery640 shots350 shots

Size and weight, to scale

M10

139 × 80 × 39 mm

660 g (1.46 lb / 23.28 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Q3 Monochrom front view

Q3 Monochrom

130 × 80 × 92 mm

743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)

M10 is 53mm thinner than Q3 Monochrom but it is also 9mm wider.

M10 is 83 g lighter than Q3 Monochrom.

Depth (front-to-back): 39mm M10 · 92mm Q3 Monochrom

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

M10

139 × 80 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Q3 Monochrom back view

Q3 Monochrom

130 × 80 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

M10

139 × 39 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Q3 Monochrom top view

Q3 Monochrom

130 × 92 mm

Sensor size, to scale

M10

35.8 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

856 mm² area

Q3 Monochrom

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseM10Q3 Monochrom
Portrait
7.5Good
7.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good✓ wins
5.0Fair
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good✓ wins
5.5Fair
Landscape
7.0Good
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Travel
7.5Good✓ wins
4.5Fair
Wildlife
9.0Excellent✓ wins
5.5Fair
Vlogging
5.5Fair✓ wins
3.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

M10

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 139, 39

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Bird, Vehicle

  • Burst (mechanical)

    8 fps vs 4 fps — higher is better

  • Pre-Capture / Pre-Release

    Only M10 supports it

  • In-body stabilization (IBIS)

    Only M10 supports it

  • Card slots

    2 vs 1 — higher is better

  • Microphone jack (3.5mm)

    Only M10 supports it

  • Headphone jack (3.5mm)

    Only M10 supports it

Reasons to choose

Q3 Monochrom

  • ISO max (native)

    200,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 130, 92

  • Resolution

    60.3 MP vs 24 MP — higher is better

  • ISO min (native)

    50 vs 100 — lower is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Face, Eye

  • EVF resolution

    5,760,000 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds ProRes

  • EVF magnification

    0.79 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 60 fps
  • Max video bit rateBoth 150 Mbps
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing
  • TouchscreenBoth support touchscreen

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

M10

Pros

  • Pure stills M experience
  • 24MP full-frame
  • Classic rangefinder
  • Leica color

Cons

  • Manual focus only
  • No video
  • Expensive

Q3 Monochrom

Pros

  • 60MP monochrome sensor
  • Summilux 28mm f/1.7
  • 8K video
  • IP52 sealed compact

Cons

  • Monochrome only
  • Fixed lens
  • Very expensive

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the M10 and Q3 Monochrom at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

M10
Q3 Monochrom
Resolution
24 MP
60.3 MP2.5× more
Sensor type
Full Frame CMOS
Full-frame monochrome BSI CMOS
Sensor size
35.8 × 23.9 mm
36 x 24 mm
AA filter
No
No
M10
Q3 Monochrom
Aperture
f/1.7
Focal length (35mm equiv.)
28 mm
M10
Q3 Monochrom
Processor
Maestro IV
Maestro Series processor with L2 Technology
M10
Q3 Monochrom
ISO min (native)
100
50−50 less
ISO max (native)
25,600
200,000+3 stops
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
200,000
M10
Q3 Monochrom
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Electronic + mechanical shutter
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/2000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for wildlife, M10 or Q3 Monochrom?

M10 scores 9.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Q3 Monochrom — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.

What's the resolution difference between the M10 and Q3 Monochrom?

M10 is 24 MP and Q3 Monochrom is 60.3 MP, so the Q3 Monochrom captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the M10 and Q3 Monochrom have in-body image stabilization?

M10 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Q3 Monochrom does not have IBIS.

Which shoots faster bursts — the M10 or the Q3 Monochrom?

M10 reaches 20 fps electronic. Q3 Monochrom reaches 15 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the M10 and Q3 Monochrom?

M10 weighs 660 g and Q3 Monochrom weighs 743 g, so the M10 is 83 g lighter.

Do the M10 and Q3 Monochrom record 4K video?

M10: 4K up to 60p. Q3 Monochrom: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p.

Are the M10 and Q3 Monochrom weather sealed?

M10: Yes. Q3 Monochrom: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the M10 and 350 shots for the Q3 Monochrom, giving the M10 the edge.

How much does each cost?

M10 launched at $6,495 and Q3 Monochrom at $6,795. The M10 is $300 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way M10 vs Q3 Monochrom vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.

Product images courtesy of Leica press materials.