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 priceReleased Nov 2025
Leica
SL (Typ 601)
Original L-mount full-frame mirrorless that launched Leica's SL system before SL2/SL3.
$7,450
Launch priceReleased Oct 2015
Q3 Monochrom is 10 years newer.
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Wins
Q3 Monochrom
Wins
SL (Typ 601)
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AQ3 Monochrom has higher ISO max (native) (200,000 vs 25,600)
- AQ3 Monochrom has higher Resolution (60.3 MP vs 24 MP)
- AQ3 Monochrom has lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
- BSL (Typ 601) has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 4 fps)
- BSL (Typ 601) has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
Q3 Monochrom
130 × 80 × 92 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
SL (Typ 601)
147 × 104 × 39 mm
847 g (1.87 lb / 29.88 oz)
Q3 Monochrom is 17mm narrower and 24mm shorter than SL (Typ 601) but it is also 53mm thicker.
Q3 Monochrom is 104 g lighter than SL (Typ 601).
Depth (front-to-back): 92mm Q3 Monochrom · 39mm SL (Typ 601)
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Q3 Monochrom
130 × 80 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
SL (Typ 601)
147 × 104 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Q3 Monochrom
130 × 92 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
SL (Typ 601)
147 × 39 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Q3 Monochrom
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
SL (Typ 601)
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Q3 Monochrom: mount data unavailable
SL (Typ 601)
✓ more lensesLeica L
80+
native lenses available
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
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Q3 Monochrom
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 130, 80, 92
ISO max (native)
200,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
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
Weight
743 g vs 847 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
SL (Typ 601)
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 147, 104, 39.2
AA filter
Only SL (Typ 601) supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 4 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only SL (Typ 601) supports it
In-body stabilization (IBIS)
Only SL (Typ 601) supports it
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Microphone jack (3.5mm)
Only SL (Typ 601) supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Q3 Monochrom
Pros
- ✓60MP monochrome sensor
- ✓Summilux 28mm f/1.7
- ✓8K video
- ✓IP52 sealed compact
Cons
- –Monochrome only
- –Fixed lens
- –Very expensive
SL (Typ 601)
Pros
- ✓First Leica SL body
- ✓24MP full-frame
- ✓Rugged build
- ✓L-mount foundation
Cons
- –Heavy
- –Slow AF by modern standards
- –Superseded by SL2/SL3
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Q3 Monochrom and SL (Typ 601) at major authorized retailers.
Leica Q3 Monochrom
Leica SL (Typ 601)
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, Q3 Monochrom or SL (Typ 601)?
SL (Typ 601) scores 9.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Q3 Monochrom — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the Q3 Monochrom and SL (Typ 601)?
Q3 Monochrom is 60.3 MP and SL (Typ 601) is 24 MP, so the Q3 Monochrom captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Q3 Monochrom and SL (Typ 601) have in-body image stabilization?
Q3 Monochrom does not have IBIS, while SL (Typ 601) has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Q3 Monochrom or the SL (Typ 601)?
Q3 Monochrom reaches 15 fps electronic. SL (Typ 601) reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Q3 Monochrom and SL (Typ 601)?
Q3 Monochrom weighs 743 g and SL (Typ 601) weighs 847 g, so the Q3 Monochrom is 104 g lighter.
Do the Q3 Monochrom and SL (Typ 601) record 4K video?
Q3 Monochrom: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p. SL (Typ 601): 4K up to 60p.
Are the Q3 Monochrom and SL (Typ 601) weather sealed?
Q3 Monochrom: Yes. SL (Typ 601): Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 350 shots (CIPA) for the Q3 Monochrom and 640 shots for the SL (Typ 601), giving the SL (Typ 601) the edge.
How much does each cost?
Q3 Monochrom launched at $6,795 and SL (Typ 601) at $7,450. The Q3 Monochrom is $655 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Q3 Monochrom vs SL (Typ 601) vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Leica press materials.