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
TL2
Unibody aluminum APS-C L-mount body with 24MP sensor and minimalist touch-first design.
$1,950
Launch priceReleased Jul 2017
Q3 Monochrom is 8.3 years newer.
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Wins
Q3 Monochrom
Wins
TL2
3 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 24.2 MP)
- AQ3 Monochrom has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 2,360,000)
- AQ3 Monochrom has lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
- BTL2 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
TL2
134 × 69 × 33 mm
399 g (0.88 lb / 14.07 oz)
Q3 Monochrom is 4mm narrower than TL2 but it is also 11mm taller and 59mm thicker.
Q3 Monochrom is 344 g heavier than TL2.
Depth (front-to-back): 92mm Q3 Monochrom · 33mm TL2
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
TL2
134 × 69 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
TL2
134 × 33 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Q3 Monochrom
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
TL2
23.6 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
371 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Q3 Monochrom: mount data unavailable
TL2
✓ 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 24.2 MP — higher is better
EVF resolution
5,760,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
ISO min (native)
50 vs 100 — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Face, Eye
Weather sealing
Only Q3 Monochrom supports it
Codecs
Adds ProRes
Reasons to choose
TL2
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 69, 33
AA filter
Only TL2 supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only TL2 supports it
In-body stabilization (IBIS)
Only TL2 supports it
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Microphone jack (3.5mm)
Only TL2 supports it
Headphone jack (3.5mm)
Only TL2 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Burst (electronic) — Both 15 fps
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
- ✓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
TL2
Pros
- ✓Beautiful unibody design
- ✓24MP APS-C
- ✓L-mount
- ✓4K video
Cons
- –Touch-first controls polarizing
- –No EVF built-in
- –Discontinued line
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Q3 Monochrom and TL2 at major authorized retailers.
Leica Q3 Monochrom
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Q3 Monochrom or TL2?
Q3 Monochrom scores 8.0/10 versus 3.5/10 for TL2 — 60.3MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the Q3 Monochrom and TL2?
Q3 Monochrom is 60.3 MP and TL2 is 24.2 MP, so the Q3 Monochrom captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Q3 Monochrom and TL2 have in-body image stabilization?
Q3 Monochrom does not have IBIS, while TL2 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Q3 Monochrom or the TL2?
Q3 Monochrom reaches 15 fps electronic. TL2 reaches 15 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Q3 Monochrom and TL2?
Q3 Monochrom weighs 743 g and TL2 weighs 399 g, so the TL2 is 344 g lighter.
Do the Q3 Monochrom and TL2 record 4K video?
Q3 Monochrom: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p. TL2: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Q3 Monochrom and TL2 weather sealed?
Q3 Monochrom: Yes. TL2: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 350 shots (CIPA) for the Q3 Monochrom and 640 shots for the TL2, giving the TL2 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Q3 Monochrom launched at $6,795 and TL2 at $1,950. The TL2 is $4,845 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Q3 Monochrom vs TL2 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Leica press materials.