Leica
Q3
Full-frame fixed 28mm f/1.7 premium compact for documentary and travel.
$5,995
Released May 2023
Ricoh
GR IIIx
GR III with a tighter 40mm equivalent GR lens for a natural street, travel, and documentary perspective.
$999
Released Sep 2021
Q3 is 1.7 years newer.
Wins
Q3
Wins
GR IIIx
3 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AQ3 has higher Burst (electronic) (15 fps vs 4 fps)
- BGR IIIx has lower Weight (262 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 IIIx
109 × 62 × 35 mm
262 g (0.58 lb / 9.24 oz)
Q3 is 21mm wider, 18mm taller, and 57mm thicker than GR IIIx.
Q3 is 481 g heavier than GR IIIx.
Depth (front-to-back): 92mm Q3 · 35mm GR IIIx
Sensor size, to scale
Q3
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
GR IIIx
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 IIIx
Codecs
Adds MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, MOV
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 109.4, 61.9, 35.2
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC UHS-I
Weight
262 g vs 743 g — lower is better
In-body stabilization
Only GR IIIx 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 IIIx
Pros
- ✓40mm equivalent GR lens
- ✓Pocketable APS-C
- ✓3-axis 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 IIIx?
Q3 scores 8.0/10 versus 2.5/10 for GR IIIx — 60.3MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the Q3 and GR IIIx?
Q3 is 60.3 MP and GR IIIx is 24.24 MP, so the Q3 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Q3 and GR IIIx have in-body image stabilization?
Q3 does not have IBIS, while gR IIIx has in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Q3 or the GR IIIx?
Q3 reaches 15 fps electronic. GR IIIx reaches 4 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Q3 and GR IIIx?
Q3 weighs 743 g and GR IIIx weighs 262 g, so the GR IIIx is 481 g lighter.
Do the Q3 and GR IIIx record 4K video?
Q3: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p. GR IIIx: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Q3 and GR IIIx weather sealed?
Q3: Yes. GR IIIx: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 350 shots (CIPA) for the Q3 and 200 shots for the GR IIIx, giving the Q3 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Q3 launched at $5,995 and GR IIIx at $999. The GR IIIx is $4,996 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.