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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

vs
Alpha 7 IV

Sony

Alpha 7 IV

33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.

$2,499

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

Q3 Monochrom is 4 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

Q3 Monochrom

LandscapePortrait

Wins

5categories

Alpha 7 IV

PortraitWildlife

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Q3 Monochrom wins 2 categories·Alpha 7 IV wins 3 categories
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
  • AQ3 Monochrom has higher ISO max (native) (200,000 vs 51,200)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 4 fps)
  • AQ3 Monochrom has lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)

Key specs at a glance

Q3 MonochromAlpha 7 IV
Resolution60.3 MP33 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max200,00051,200
Burst15 fps10 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBISNo5.5-stop
Weight743 g658 g
Battery350 shots580 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Q3 Monochrom front view

Q3 Monochrom

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

Alpha 7 IV front view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 × 80 mm

658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)

Q3 Monochrom is 1mm narrower and 16mm shorter than Alpha 7 IV but it is also 12mm thicker.

Q3 Monochrom is 85 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.

Depth (front-to-back): 92mm Q3 Monochrom · 80mm Alpha 7 IV

Back view, to scale

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

Q3 Monochrom back view

Q3 Monochrom

130 × 80 mm

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7 IV back view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

Q3 Monochrom top view

Q3 Monochrom

130 × 92 mm

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7 IV top view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 80 mm

Sensor size, to scale

Q3 Monochrom

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

Alpha 7 IV

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Q3 Monochrom: mount data unavailable

Alpha 7 IV

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 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 MonochromAlpha 7 IV
Portrait
7.5Good
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
5.0Fair
6.5Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
5.5Fair
7.5Good✓ wins
Landscape
8.0Excellent✓ wins
7.5Good
Travel
4.5Fair
7.0Good✓ wins
Wildlife
5.5Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Vlogging
3.0Limited
8.0Excellent✓ wins

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 51,200 — higher is better

  • ISO min (native)

    50 vs 100 — lower is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Face, Eye

  • Resolution

    60.3 MP vs 33 MP — higher is better

  • EVF resolution

    5,760,000 vs 3,686,400 — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    15 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds ProRes

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7 IV

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8

  • Max video bit rate

    600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Bird, Insect, Car/Train…

  • Burst (mechanical)

    10 fps vs 4 fps — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I

  • AA filter

    Only Alpha 7 IV supports it

  • Internal RAW video

    Only Alpha 7 IV supports it

  • In-body stabilization (IBIS)

    Only Alpha 7 IV supports it

Both cameras share

  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 60 fps
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing
  • TouchscreenBoth support touchscreen
  • Wi-FiBoth support wi-fi

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

Alpha 7 IV

Pros

  • 33MP — more detail for cropping and print
  • 10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
  • Full-size HDMI port
  • 759 phase-detect AF points

Cons

  • 4K 60p requires Super35 crop
  • 10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
  • Complex menu system

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Q3 Monochrom and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

Q3 Monochrom
Alpha 7 IV
Resolution
60.3 MP+83%
33 MP
Sensor type
Full-frame monochrome BSI CMOS
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Sensor size
36 x 24 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
No
Yes
Q3 Monochrom
Alpha 7 IV
Aperture
f/1.7
Focal length (35mm equiv.)
28 mm
Q3 Monochrom
Alpha 7 IV
Processor
Maestro Series processor with L2 Technology
BIONZ XR
Q3 Monochrom
Alpha 7 IV
ISO min (native)
50−50 less
100
ISO max (native)
200,000+2 stops
51,200
ISO max (expanded)
200,000
204,800
Q3 Monochrom
Alpha 7 IV
Shutter type
Electronic + mechanical shutter
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/2000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/8000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for vlogging, Q3 Monochrom or Alpha 7 IV?

Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for Q3 Monochrom — Fully articulating screen — see yourself while filming.

What's the resolution difference between the Q3 Monochrom and Alpha 7 IV?

Q3 Monochrom is 60.3 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Q3 Monochrom captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Q3 Monochrom and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?

Q3 Monochrom does not have IBIS, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Q3 Monochrom or the Alpha 7 IV?

Q3 Monochrom reaches 15 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Q3 Monochrom and Alpha 7 IV?

Q3 Monochrom weighs 743 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 85 g lighter.

Do the Q3 Monochrom and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?

Q3 Monochrom: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.

Are the Q3 Monochrom and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?

Q3 Monochrom: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 350 shots (CIPA) for the Q3 Monochrom and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.

How much does each cost?

Q3 Monochrom launched at $6,795 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $4,296 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way Q3 Monochrom vs Alpha 7 IV vs X comparison.

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

Product images courtesy of Leica and Sony press materials.