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M6

Leica

M6

Reissued mechanical M rangefinder for 35mm film — the classic Leica experience returns.

$5,695

Launch price

Released Oct 2022

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 3 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

M6

VloggingPortrait

Wins

4categories

Q3 Monochrom

LandscapePortrait

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

M6 wins 2 categories·Q3 Monochrom wins 3 categories
  • BQ3 Monochrom has higher Resolution (60.3 MP vs 0 MP)
  • BQ3 Monochrom has higher ISO max (native) (200,000 vs 6,400)
  • AM6 has lower ISO min (native) (6 vs 50)
  • BQ3 Monochrom has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 2,360,000)
  • AM6 has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)

Key specs at a glance

M6Q3 Monochrom
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max6,400200,000
Burst15 fps15 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS6-stopNo
Weight575 g743 g
Battery640 shots350 shots
Resolution60.3 MP

Size and weight, to scale

M6 front view

M6

138 × 77 × 40 mm

575 g (1.27 lb / 20.28 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)

M6 is 3mm shorter and 52mm thinner than Q3 Monochrom but it is also 8mm wider.

M6 is 168 g lighter than Q3 Monochrom.

Depth (front-to-back): 40mm M6 · 92mm Q3 Monochrom

Back view, to scale

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

M6 back view

M6

138 × 77 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.

M6 top view

M6

138 × 40 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

M6

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 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 caseM6Q3 Monochrom
Portrait
6.5Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Sports & Action
5.5Fair✓ wins
5.0Fair
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good✓ wins
5.5Fair
Landscape
5.0Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Travel
6.0Good✓ wins
4.5Fair
Wildlife
6.5Good✓ wins
5.5Fair
Vlogging
7.0Good✓ wins
3.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

M6

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 138, 77, 40

  • ISO min (native)

    6 vs 50 — lower is better

  • AA filter

    Only M6 supports it

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Bird, Vehicle

  • Pre-Capture / Pre-Release

    Only M6 supports it

  • In-body stabilization (IBIS)

    Only M6 supports it

  • Card slots

    2 vs 1 — higher is better

  • Microphone jack (3.5mm)

    Only M6 supports it

Reasons to choose

Q3 Monochrom

  • Resolution

    60.3 MP vs 0 MP — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 130, 80, 92

  • ISO max (native)

    200,000 vs 6,400 — higher is better

  • EVF resolution

    5,760,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Face, Eye

  • Weather sealing

    Only Q3 Monochrom supports it

  • Codecs

    Adds ProRes

  • EVF magnification

    0.79 × vs 0.73 × — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • Burst (electronic)Both 15 fps
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 60 fps
  • Max video bit rateBoth 150 Mbps
  • TouchscreenBoth support touchscreen

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

M6

Pros

  • Mechanical film M
  • Iconic design
  • Built to last
  • Pure analog workflow

Cons

  • Film only
  • Manual everything
  • Ongoing film/processing costs

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 M6 and Q3 Monochrom at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

M6
Q3 Monochrom
Resolution
0 MP
60.3 MP
Sensor type
Film (35mm)
Full-frame monochrome BSI CMOS
Sensor size
36.0 × 24.0 mm
36 x 24 mm
AA filter
Yes
No
M6
Q3 Monochrom
Aperture
f/1.7
Focal length (35mm equiv.)
28 mm
M6
Q3 Monochrom
Processor
Maestro IV
Maestro Series processor with L2 Technology
M6
Q3 Monochrom
ISO min (native)
6−44 less
50
ISO max (native)
6,400
200,000+5 stops
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
200,000
M6
Q3 Monochrom
Shutter type
Mechanical Focal Plane Shutter
Electronic + mechanical shutter
Max mechanical speed
1/1000 Second
1/2000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for vlogging, M6 or Q3 Monochrom?

M6 scores 7.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for Q3 Monochrom — 4K 60p for smooth handheld vlogs.

What's the resolution difference between the M6 and Q3 Monochrom?

M6 is 0 MP and Q3 Monochrom is 60.3 MP, so the Q3 Monochrom captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the M6 and Q3 Monochrom have in-body image stabilization?

M6 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while Q3 Monochrom does not have IBIS.

Which shoots faster bursts — the M6 or the Q3 Monochrom?

M6 reaches 15 fps electronic. Q3 Monochrom reaches 15 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the M6 and Q3 Monochrom?

M6 weighs 575 g and Q3 Monochrom weighs 743 g, so the M6 is 168 g lighter.

Do the M6 and Q3 Monochrom record 4K video?

M6: 4K up to 60p. Q3 Monochrom: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p.

Are the M6 and Q3 Monochrom weather sealed?

M6: No. Q3 Monochrom: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the M6 and 350 shots for the Q3 Monochrom, giving the M6 the edge.

How much does each cost?

M6 launched at $5,695 and Q3 Monochrom at $6,795. The M6 is $1,100 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way M6 vs Q3 Monochrom vs X comparison.

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

Product images courtesy of Leica press materials.