Leica
Q3
Full-frame fixed 28mm f/1.7 premium compact for documentary and travel.
$5,995
Launch priceReleased May 2023
Leica
SL2
47MP L-mount body before the SL3 generation.
$5,895
Launch priceReleased Nov 2019
Q3 is 3.6 years newer.
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Wins
Q3
Wins
SL2
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AQ3 has higher ISO max (native) (100,000 vs 25,600)
- AQ3 has lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
- BSL2 has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 4 fps)
- BSL2 has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
- BSL2 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 350 shots)
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
SL2
138 × 98 × 88 mm
720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)
Q3 is 8mm narrower and 18mm shorter than SL2 but it is also 4mm thicker.
Q3 is 23 g heavier than SL2.
Depth (front-to-back): 92mm Q3 · 88mm SL2
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Q3
130 × 80 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
SL2
138 × 98 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
SL2
138 × 88 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Q3
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
SL2
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Q3: mount data unavailable
SL2
✓ 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
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
Resolution
60.3 MP vs 47.3 MP — higher is better
EVF magnification
0.79 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
SL2
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
AA filter
Only SL2 supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 4 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only SL2 supports it
In-body stabilization (IBIS)
Only SL2 supports it
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Microphone jack (3.5mm)
Only SL2 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
SL2
Pros
- ✓47MP
- ✓L-mount
- ✓Leica quality
Cons
- –Superseded
- –Heavy
- –Expensive
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Q3 and SL2 at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, Q3 or SL2?
SL2 scores 9.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Q3 — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the Q3 and SL2?
Q3 is 60.3 MP and SL2 is 47.3 MP, so the Q3 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Q3 and SL2 have in-body image stabilization?
Q3 does not have IBIS, while SL2 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Q3 or the SL2?
Q3 reaches 15 fps electronic. SL2 reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Q3 and SL2?
Q3 weighs 743 g and SL2 weighs 720 g, so the SL2 is 23 g lighter.
Do the Q3 and SL2 record 4K video?
Q3: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p. SL2: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Q3 and SL2 weather sealed?
Q3: Yes. SL2: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 350 shots (CIPA) for the Q3 and 640 shots for the SL2, giving the SL2 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Q3 launched at $5,995 and SL2 at $5,895. The SL2 is $100 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Q3 vs SL2 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Leica press materials.