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
Released Nov 2025
Leica
SL3-S
Fast 24.6MP L-mount hybrid with 6K open-gate video, 30fps burst, and 5-axis stabilization.
$5,295
Released Jan 2025
Q3 Monochrom is 9 months newer.
Wins
Q3 Monochrom
Wins
SL3-S
4 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AQ3 Monochrom has higher Resolution (60.3 MP vs 24.6 MP)
- 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)
- BSL3-S has higher Max video bit rate (200 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Q3 Monochrom
130 × 80 × 92 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
SL3-S
141 × 108 × 83 mm
768 g (1.69 lb / 27.09 oz)
Q3 Monochrom is 11mm narrower and 28mm shorter than SL3-S but it is also 9mm thicker.
Q3 Monochrom is 25 g lighter than SL3-S.
Depth (front-to-back): 92mm Q3 Monochrom · 83mm SL3-S
Sensor size, to scale
Q3 Monochrom
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
SL3-S
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Q3 Monochrom: mount data unavailable
SL3-S
✓ 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
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
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only SL3-S supports it
In-body stabilization
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
Headphone jack (3.5mm)
Only SL3-S supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 50
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 200,000
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
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
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
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, Q3 Monochrom or SL3-S?
SL3-S scores 8.5/10 versus 5.5/10 for Q3 Monochrom — 6K video for oversampled 4K.
What's the resolution difference between the Q3 Monochrom and SL3-S?
Q3 Monochrom is 60.3 MP and SL3-S is 24.6 MP, so the Q3 Monochrom captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Q3 Monochrom and SL3-S have in-body image stabilization?
Q3 Monochrom does not have IBIS, while sL3-S has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Q3 Monochrom or the SL3-S?
Q3 Monochrom reaches 15 fps electronic. SL3-S reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Q3 Monochrom and SL3-S?
Q3 Monochrom weighs 743 g and SL3-S weighs 768 g, so the Q3 Monochrom is 25 g lighter.
Do the Q3 Monochrom and SL3-S record 4K video?
Q3 Monochrom: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p. SL3-S: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the Q3 Monochrom and SL3-S weather sealed?
Q3 Monochrom: Yes. SL3-S: Yes.
How much does each cost?
Q3 Monochrom launched at $6,795 and SL3-S at $5,295. The SL3-S is $1,500 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.