Leica
Q3
Full-frame fixed 28mm f/1.7 premium compact for documentary and travel.
$5,995
Launch priceReleased May 2023
Pentax
K-3 Mark III
APS-C DSLR flagship with optical viewfinder and weather sealing.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Apr 2021
Q3 is 2.1 years newer.
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Wins
Q3
Wins
K-3 Mark III
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 25.7 MP)
- AQ3 has lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
- BK-3 Mark III has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 4 fps)
- BK-3 Mark III 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
K-3 Mark III
138 × 98 × 88 mm
520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)
Q3 is 8mm narrower and 18mm shorter than K-3 Mark III but it is also 4mm thicker.
Q3 is 223 g heavier than K-3 Mark III.
Depth (front-to-back): 92mm Q3 · 88mm K-3 Mark III
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Q3
130 × 80 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
K-3 Mark III
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
K-3 Mark III
138 × 88 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Q3
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
K-3 Mark III
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
2.4× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Q3: mount data unavailable
K-3 Mark III
✓ more lensesPentax K
70+
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 25.7 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
EVF magnification
0.79 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
K-3 Mark III
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 4 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only K-3 Mark III supports it
In-body stabilization (IBIS)
Only K-3 Mark III supports it
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Microphone jack (3.5mm)
Only K-3 Mark III supports it
Headphone jack (3.5mm)
Only K-3 Mark III 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
K-3 Mark III
Pros
- ✓Optical viewfinder
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓IBIS in DSLR
Cons
- –DSLR system declining
- –APS-C
- –Limited video
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Q3 and K-3 Mark III at major authorized retailers.
Pentax K-3 Mark III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, Q3 or K-3 Mark III?
K-3 Mark III scores 10.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Q3 — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the Q3 and K-3 Mark III?
Q3 is 60.3 MP and K-3 Mark III is 25.7 MP, so the Q3 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Q3 and K-3 Mark III have in-body image stabilization?
Q3 does not have IBIS, while K-3 Mark III has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Q3 or the K-3 Mark III?
Q3 reaches 15 fps electronic. K-3 Mark III reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Q3 and K-3 Mark III?
Q3 weighs 743 g and K-3 Mark III weighs 520 g, so the K-3 Mark III is 223 g lighter.
Do the Q3 and K-3 Mark III record 4K video?
Q3: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p. K-3 Mark III: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Q3 and K-3 Mark III weather sealed?
Q3: Yes. K-3 Mark III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 350 shots (CIPA) for the Q3 and 640 shots for the K-3 Mark III, giving the K-3 Mark III the edge.
How much does each cost?
Q3 launched at $5,995 and K-3 Mark III at $1,999. The K-3 Mark III is $3,996 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Q3 vs K-3 Mark III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Leica and Pentax press materials.