Leica
Q3
Full-frame fixed 28mm f/1.7 premium compact for documentary and travel.
$5,995
Released May 2023
Ricoh
GR III
Street photography icon with 24.24MP APS-C, 28mm equivalent GR lens, 3-axis SR, and snap-focus in a pocket body.
$899
Released Mar 2019
Q3 is 4.2 years newer.
Wins
Q3
Wins
GR III
3 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AQ3 has higher Burst (electronic) (15 fps vs 4 fps)
- BGR III has lower Weight (257 g vs 743 g)
- AQ3 has higher Resolution (60.3 MP vs 24.24 MP)
- AQ3 has lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
- AQ3 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (350 shots vs 200 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Q3
130 × 80 × 92 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
GR III
109 × 62 × 33 mm
257 g (0.57 lb / 9.07 oz)
Q3 is 21mm wider, 18mm taller, and 59mm thicker than GR III.
Q3 is 486 g heavier than GR III.
Depth (front-to-back): 92mm Q3 · 33mm GR III
Sensor size, to scale
Q3
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
GR 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.
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
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264, ProRes
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 130, 80, 92
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
Burst (electronic)
15 fps vs 4 fps — higher is better
Resolution
60.3 MP vs 24.24 MP — higher is better
ISO min (native)
50 vs 100 — lower is better
Animal / bird AF
Only Q3 supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal
Reasons to choose
GR III
Codecs
Adds MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, MOV
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 109.4, 61.9, 33.2
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC UHS-I
Weight
257 g vs 743 g — lower is better
In-body stabilization
Only GR III supports it
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 100,000 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Burst (mechanical) — Both 4 fps
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓Card slots — Both 1
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
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
GR III
Pros
- ✓Pocketable APS-C
- ✓28mm equivalent GR lens
- ✓3-axis sensor-shift SR
- ✓Snap focus street shooting
Cons
- –Fixed lens
- –No built-in EVF
- –Full HD video only
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Q3 or GR III?
Q3 scores 8.0/10 versus 2.5/10 for GR III — 60.3MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the Q3 and GR III?
Q3 is 60.3 MP and GR III is 24.24 MP, so the Q3 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Q3 and GR III have in-body image stabilization?
Q3 does not have IBIS, while gR III has in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Q3 or the GR III?
Q3 reaches 15 fps electronic. GR III reaches 4 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Q3 and GR III?
Q3 weighs 743 g and GR III weighs 257 g, so the GR III is 486 g lighter.
Do the Q3 and GR III record 4K video?
Q3: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p. GR III: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Q3 and GR III weather sealed?
Q3: Yes. GR III: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 350 shots (CIPA) for the Q3 and 200 shots for the GR III, giving the Q3 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Q3 launched at $5,995 and GR III at $899. The GR III is $5,096 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.