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Leica

Q3 43

Q3 variant with 43mm equivalent perspective for classic reportage.

$5,995

Launch price

Released Jun 2024

vs

Leica

SL3-S

Fast 24.6MP L-mount hybrid with 6K open-gate video, 30fps burst, and 5-axis stabilization.

$5,295

Launch price

Released Jan 2025

SL3-S is 7 months newer.

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Wins

3categories

Q3 43

LandscapePortrait

Wins

5categories

SL3-S

Video & HybridLandscape

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Q3 43 wins 1 categories·SL3-S wins 4 categories
  • AQ3 43 has higher Resolution (60.3 MP vs 24.6 MP)
  • BSL3-S has higher ISO max (native) (200,000 vs 100,000)
  • BSL3-S has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 15 fps)
  • BSL3-S has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
  • BSL3-S has higher Burst (mechanical) (7 fps vs 4 fps)

Key specs at a glance

Q3 43SL3-S
Resolution60.3 MP24.6 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max100,000200,000
Burst15 fps30 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBISNo5-stop
Weight743 g768 g
Battery350 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Q3 43

130 × 80 × 92 mm

743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

SL3-S

141 × 108 × 83 mm

768 g (1.69 lb / 27.09 oz)

Q3 43 is 11mm narrower and 28mm shorter than SL3-S but it is also 9mm thicker.

Q3 43 is 25 g lighter than SL3-S.

Depth (front-to-back): 92mm Q3 43 · 83mm SL3-S

Sensor size, to scale

Q3 43

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

SL3-S

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Q3 43: mount data unavailable

SL3-S

✓ more lenses

Leica L

80+

native lenses available

30 first-party50 third-party

Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseQ3 43SL3-S
Portrait
7.5Good
7.5Good
Sports & Action
5.0Fair
7.5Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
5.5Fair
8.5Excellent✓ wins
Landscape
8.0Excellent
8.0Excellent
Travel
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
6.5Good✓ wins
Vlogging
3.0Limited
5.5Fair✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Q3 43

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 130, 80, 92

  • Resolution

    60.3 MP vs 24.6 MP — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Face, Eye

  • Codecs

    Adds ProRes

  • Weight

    743 g vs 768 g — lower is better

  • EVF magnification

    0.79 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose

SL3-S

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 141.2, 108, 82.7

  • ISO max (native)

    200,000 vs 100,000 — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    30 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better

  • Internal RAW video

    Only SL3-S supports it

  • In-body stabilization (IBIS)

    Only SL3-S supports it

  • Card slots

    2 vs 1 — higher is better

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B

  • Microphone jack (3.5mm)

    Only SL3-S supports it

Both cameras share

  • ISO min (native)Both 50
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 60 fps
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing
  • EVF resolutionBoth 5,760,000

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Q3 43

Pros

  • Unique 43mm view
  • 60MP
  • Premium compact

Cons

  • Fixed lens
  • Expensive
  • Niche focal length

SL3-S

Pros

  • 6K open-gate video
  • 30fps electronic burst
  • 24.6MP full-frame
  • CFexpress plus SD

Cons

  • Lower resolution than SL3
  • Large body
  • Premium price

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Q3 43 and SL3-S at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

Q3 43
SL3-S
Resolution
60.3 MP2.5× more
24.6 MP
Sensor type
Full-frame BSI CMOS
Full-frame BSI CMOS
Sensor size
36 x 24 mm
36 x 24 mm
AA filter
No
No
Q3 43
SL3-S
Aperture
f/2
Focal length (35mm equiv.)
43 mm
Q3 43
SL3-S
Processor
Maestro Series processor with L2 Technology
Maestro IV
Q3 43
SL3-S
ISO min (native)
50
50
ISO max (native)
100,000
200,000+1 stop
ISO max (expanded)
100,000
200,000
Q3 43
SL3-S
Shutter type
Electronic + mechanical shutter
Mechanical focal-plane + electronic shutter
Max mechanical speed
1/2000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for video, Q3 43 or SL3-S?

SL3-S scores 8.5/10 versus 5.5/10 for Q3 43 — 6K video for oversampled 4K.

What's the resolution difference between the Q3 43 and SL3-S?

Q3 43 is 60.3 MP and SL3-S is 24.6 MP, so the Q3 43 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Q3 43 and SL3-S have in-body image stabilization?

Q3 43 does not have IBIS, while SL3-S has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Q3 43 or the SL3-S?

Q3 43 reaches 15 fps electronic. SL3-S reaches 30 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Q3 43 and SL3-S?

Q3 43 weighs 743 g and SL3-S weighs 768 g, so the Q3 43 is 25 g lighter.

Do the Q3 43 and SL3-S record 4K video?

Q3 43: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p. SL3-S: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p.

Are the Q3 43 and SL3-S weather sealed?

Q3 43: Yes. SL3-S: Yes.

How much does each cost?

Q3 43 launched at $5,995 and SL3-S at $5,295. The SL3-S is $700 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way Q3 43 vs SL3-S vs X comparison.

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