Leica
Q3
Full-frame fixed 28mm f/1.7 premium compact for documentary and travel.
$5,995
Launch priceReleased May 2023
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 is 7.6 years newer.
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Wins
Q3
Wins
SL (Typ 601)
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AQ3 has higher ISO max (native) (100,000 vs 25,600)
- AQ3 has higher Resolution (60.3 MP vs 24 MP)
- AQ3 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
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 is 17mm narrower and 24mm shorter than SL (Typ 601) but it is also 53mm thicker.
Q3 is 104 g lighter than SL (Typ 601).
Depth (front-to-back): 92mm Q3 · 39mm SL (Typ 601)
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Q3
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
130 × 92 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
SL (Typ 601)
147 × 39 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Q3
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: 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
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 130, 80, 92
ISO max (native)
100,000 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
Pros
- ✓60MP full-frame
- ✓Summilux 28mm lens
- ✓Built like a tank
- ✓Unique aesthetic
Cons
- –Fixed lens
- –Very expensive
- –No interchangeable system
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 and SL (Typ 601) at major authorized retailers.
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 or SL (Typ 601)?
SL (Typ 601) scores 9.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Q3 — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the Q3 and SL (Typ 601)?
Q3 is 60.3 MP and SL (Typ 601) is 24 MP, so the Q3 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Q3 and SL (Typ 601) have in-body image stabilization?
Q3 does not have IBIS, while SL (Typ 601) has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Q3 or the SL (Typ 601)?
Q3 reaches 15 fps electronic. SL (Typ 601) reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Q3 and SL (Typ 601)?
Q3 weighs 743 g and SL (Typ 601) weighs 847 g, so the Q3 is 104 g lighter.
Do the Q3 and SL (Typ 601) record 4K video?
Q3: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p. SL (Typ 601): 4K up to 60p.
Are the Q3 and SL (Typ 601) weather sealed?
Q3: Yes. SL (Typ 601): Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 350 shots (CIPA) for the Q3 and 640 shots for the SL (Typ 601), giving the SL (Typ 601) the edge.
How much does each cost?
Q3 launched at $5,995 and SL (Typ 601) at $7,450. The Q3 is $1,455 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Q3 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.