Leica Q3 vs OM System OM-3

The Leica Q3 and the OM System OM-3 are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in May 2023 and February 2025. The Q3 is a fixed lens compact, while the OM-3 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a full frame (Q3) and a Four Thirds (OM-3) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 60.3 megapixels, whereas the OM System provides 20.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Leica Q3		OM System OM-3
Fixed lens compact camera		Mirrorless system camera
28mm f/1.7		Micro Four Thirds lenses
60.3 MP – Full Frame sensor		20.2 MP – Four Thirds sensor
8K/30p Video		4K/60p Video
ISO 50-100,000		ISO 80-25,600 (80 - 102,400)
Electronic viewfinder (5760k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1840k dots		3.0" LCD – 1640k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Swivel touchscreen
15 shutter flaps per second		6 shutter flaps per second
Lens-based stabilization		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
350 shots per battery charge		590 shots per battery charge
130 x 80 x 93 mm, 743 g		139 x 89 x 46 mm, 496 g

Check Q3 price at
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Check OM-3 price at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica Q3 and the OM System OM-3? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Leica Q3 and the OM System OM-3 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The OM-3 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the Q3 is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the OM System OM-3 is notably larger (19 percent) than the Leica Q3. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the Q3 has a lens built in, whereas the OM-3 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the OM-3 and their specifications in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the Q3 gets 350 shots out of its Leica BP-SCL6 battery, while the OM-3 can take 590 images on a single charge of its OM System BLX-1 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Leica Q3	130 mm	80 mm	93 mm	743 g	350	Y	May 2023	US$ 5 999	amazon.com
2.		OM System OM-3	139 mm	89 mm	46 mm	496 g	590	Y	Feb 2025	US$ 1 999	amazon.com
3.		Leica M Typ 240	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	500	Y	Sep 2012	US$ 6 949	ebay.com
4.		Leica M Typ 262	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	400	Y	Nov 2015	US$ 5 195	ebay.com
5.		Leica M10	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Jan 2017	US$ 6 599	ebay.com
6.		Leica M10-P	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Aug 2018	US$ 7 999	ebay.com
7.		Leica M11	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	640 g	700	Y	Jan 2022	US$ 8 999	amazon.com
8.		Leica Q2	130 mm	80 mm	92 mm	718 g	370	Y	Mar 2019	US$ 4 999	amazon.com
9.		Leica SL3	141 mm	108 mm	85 mm	854 g	320	Y	Mar 2024	US$ 6 999	amazon.com
10.		Olympus E-M1 II	134 mm	91 mm	67 mm	574 g	440	Y	Sep 2016	US$ 1 999	ebay.com
11.		Olympus E-M1 III	134 mm	91 mm	69 mm	580 g	420	Y	Feb 2020	US$ 1 799	ebay.com
12.		OM System OM-1	135 mm	92 mm	73 mm	599 g	520	Y	Feb 2022	US$ 2 199	ebay.com
13.		OM System OM-1 II	135 mm	92 mm	73 mm	599 g	500	Y	Jan 2024	US$ 2 399	amazon.com
14.		OM System OM-5 II	125 mm	85 mm	50 mm	414 g	310	Y	Jun 2025	US$ 1 199	amazon.com
15.		Sony A1 II	136 mm	97 mm	83 mm	743 g	520	Y	Nov 2024	US$ 6 499	amazon.com
16.		Sony RX1R III	113 mm	68 mm	88 mm	498 g	300	Y	Jul 2025	US$ 5 099	amazon.com
17.		Zeiss ZX1	142 mm	93 mm	46 mm	800 g	250	n	Sep 2018	US$ 5 999	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica Q3 features a full frame sensor and the OM System OM-3 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the OM-3 is 74 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 2.0. The sensor in the Q3 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the OM-3 offers a 4:3 aspect.

With 60.3MP, the Q3 offers a higher resolution than the OM-3 (20.2MP), but the Q3 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.79μm versus 3.34μm for the OM-3) due to its larger sensor. However, the OM-3 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 8 months) than the Q3, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Leica Q3 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the Q3 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 47.6 x 31.6 inches or 121 x 80.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 38.1 x 25.3 inches or 96.8 x 64.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 31.8 x 21.1 inches or 80.7 x 53.6 cm. The corresponding values for the OM System OM-3 are 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the Q3, the OM-3 has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (80MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Leica Q3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 50 to ISO 100000. The corresponding ISO settings for the OM System OM-3 are ISO 80 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-102400.

In terms of underlying technology, the Q3 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the OM-3 uses a Stacked BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Leica Q3	Full Frame	60.3	9528	6328	8K/30p	25.4	14.7	3216	96
2.		OM System OM-3	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/60p	23.4	13.7	1852	78
3.		Leica M Typ 240	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	1080/25p	24.0	13.3	1860	84
4.		Leica M Typ 262	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	none	24.8	13.7	2478	90
5.		Leica M10	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	24.4	13.2	2133	86
6.		Leica M10-P	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	25.1	14.1	2739	93
7.		Leica M11	Full Frame	60.3	9528	6328	none	26.3	14.8	3376	100
8.		Leica Q2	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/30p	26.4	13.5	2491	96
9.		Leica SL3	Full Frame	60.3	9520	6336	8K/30p	25.4	14.8	3295	97
10.		Olympus E-M1 II	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.7	12.8	1312	80
11.		Olympus E-M1 III	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.3	13.1	1356	76
12.		OM System OM-1	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/60p	23.4	13.4	1553	77
13.		OM System OM-1 II	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/60p	23.4	13.6	1749	78
14.		OM System OM-5 II	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.4	13.7	1889	78
15.		Sony A1 II	Full Frame	49.8	8640	5760	8k/30p	25.4	14.8	3363	97
16.		Sony RX1R III	Full Frame	60.2	9504	6336	4K/30p	25.4	14.9	3417	97
17.		Zeiss ZX1	Full Frame	37.4	7488	4992	4K/30p	25.2	14.1	2759	94
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the Q3 provides a higher video resolution than the OM-3. It can shoot video footage at 8K/30p, while the OM System is limited to 4K/60p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the Q3 offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the OM-3 (5760k vs 2360k dots). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Leica Q3 and OM System OM-3 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Leica Q3	5760	n	3.0 / 1840	tilting	Y	1/2000s	15.0/s	n	Y
2.		OM System OM-3	2360	n	3.0 / 1640	swivel	Y	1/8000s	6.0/s	n	Y
3.		Leica M Typ 240	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	n
4.		Leica M Typ 262	optical	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	n
5.		Leica M10	optical	n	3.0 / 1037	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0/s	n	n
6.		Leica M10-P	optical	n	3.0 / 1037	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	n	n
7.		Leica M11	optical	n	3.0 / 2333	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.5/s	n	n
8.		Leica Q2	3680	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	n	Y
9.		Leica SL3	5760	Y	3.2 / 2333	tilting	Y	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	Y
10.		Olympus E-M1 II	2360	n	3.0 / 1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	18.0/s	n	Y
11.		Olympus E-M1 III	2360	n	3.0 / 1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	18.0/s	n	Y
12.		OM System OM-1	5760	n	3.0 / 1640	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
13.		OM System OM-1 II	5760	n	3.0 / 1640	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
14.		OM System OM-5 II	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
15.		Sony A1 II	9437	n	3.2 / 2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	30.0/s	n	Y
16.		Sony RX1R III	2360	n	3.0 / 2360	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	n	n
17.		Zeiss ZX1	6221	n	4.3 / 2765	fixed	Y	1/1000s	3.0/s	n	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Leica Q3 and the OM System OM-3 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the Q3 and the OM-3 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras support UHS-II cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica Q3 and OM System OM-3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Leica Q3	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
2.		OM System OM-3	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
3.		Leica M Typ 240	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Leica M Typ 262	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Leica M10	Y	- / -	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
6.		Leica M10-P	Y	- / -	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
7.		Leica M11	Y	- / -	-	-	-	3.2	Y	-	Y
8.		Leica Q2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	-	Y	-	Y
9.		Leica SL3	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
10.		Olympus E-M1 II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
11.		Olympus E-M1 III	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
12.		OM System OM-1	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
13.		OM System OM-1 II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
14.		OM System OM-5 II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
15.		Sony A1 II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
16.		Sony RX1R III	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
17.		Zeiss ZX1	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	3.1	Y	Y	Y

It is notable that the OM-3 has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings by attaching an external microphone. The Q3 does not feature such a mic input.

Both the Q3 and the OM-3 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The Q3 replaced the earlier Leica Q2, while the OM-3 does not have a direct predecessor. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Leica and OM System websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Leica Q3 or the OM System OM-3 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Advantages of the Leica Q3:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (60.3 vs 20.2MP) with a 77% higher linear resolution.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (8K/30p vs 4K/60p).
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (5760k vs 2360k dots).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.79x vs 0.69x).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1840k vs 1640k dots).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (15 vs 6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the OM-3 requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (130x80mm vs 139x89mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in May 2023).

Reasons to prefer the OM System OM-3:

• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (590 versus 350) out of a single battery charge.
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 8 months) more recently.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the Q3 is the clear winner of the match-up (14 : 9 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica Q3 and the OM System OM-3 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Prime Lens Compact Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the Q3 and the OM-3 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Leica Q3	5/5	..	4.5/5	..	..	4.5/5	May 2023	US$ 5 999	amazon.com
2.		OM System OM-3	..	..	..	86/100	..	..	Feb 2025	US$ 1 999	amazon.com
3.		Leica M Typ 240	4/5	..	..	..	4/5	..	Sep 2012	US$ 6 949	ebay.com
4.		Leica M Typ 262	..	..	..	..	..	..	Nov 2015	US$ 5 195	ebay.com
5.		Leica M10	4.5/5	..	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	US$ 6 599	ebay.com
6.		Leica M10-P	..	..	3/5	..	..	4/5	Aug 2018	US$ 7 999	ebay.com
7.		Leica M11	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2022	US$ 8 999	amazon.com
8.		Leica Q2	..	..	4.5/5	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Mar 2019	US$ 4 999	amazon.com
9.		Leica SL3	..	..	4.5/5	..	..	4.5/5	Mar 2024	US$ 6 999	amazon.com
10.		Olympus E-M1 II	5/5	+ +	5/5	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	US$ 1 999	ebay.com
11.		Olympus E-M1 III	5/5	..	5/5	83/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2020	US$ 1 799	ebay.com
12.		OM System OM-1	5/5	..	..	87/100	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2022	US$ 2 199	ebay.com
13.		OM System OM-1 II	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2024	US$ 2 399	amazon.com
14.		OM System OM-5 II	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2025	US$ 1 199	amazon.com
15.		Sony A1 II	..	..	..	..	..	..	Nov 2024	US$ 6 499	amazon.com
16.		Sony RX1R III	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jul 2025	US$ 5 099	amazon.com
17.		Zeiss ZX1	3/5	..	..	83/100	4/5	4/5	Sep 2018	US$ 5 999	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

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