Leica’s been pushing the monochrome philosophy since 2012, and the company just doubled down on that commitment with the Q3 Monochrom. This is the second black-and-white-only iteration in the Q series, following the Q2 Monochrom from 2020, and it does something most camera makers won’t: deliberately rejecting color in pursuit of absolute image purity. For those willing to embrace the constraint, this one’s for you.
A Sensor Built for Shadows
The Q3 Monochrom doesn’t just convert color images to grayscale in post but captures brightness data exclusively through a 60MP full-frame sensor with no Bayer filter or low-pass filter. This architectural choice delivers sharper images with better dynamic range and tonal depth compared to any camera shooting color and converting later. The sensor leverages Leica’s Triple Resolution Technology, allowing photographers to shoot at 60MP, 36MP, or 18MP depending on file size needs, while the ISO range stretches from 100 all the way to 200,000. That upper limit outpaces the standard Q3’s max ISO of 100,000, which speaks to the low-noise advantages of ditching color filtration altogether.
Paired with Leica’s Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH lens, the camera excels in challenging light. The fixed focal length might seem limiting, but digital zoom presets simulate 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 90mm perspectives, plus there’s a macro mode that focuses as close as 17cm. The setup records 8K monochrome video at 30fps or 4K at 60fps, which opens up interesting possibilities for filmmakers working in black and white.
The Monochrome Aesthetic Refined
Design-wise, the all-metal body is finished in matte black with gray engravings rather than the usual yellow or red markings, and the iconic red Leica Dot is also conspicuously absent. The leatherette covering borrows texture from the M-series rather than the standard Q3, giving it a more tactile, old-school feel.
The body retains the Q3’s 5.76MP OLED viewfinder and tilting touchscreen, along with the IP52 weather sealing that protects against dust and splashes. One notable technical change is that the monochrome sensor lacks the phase-detection layer found in the color Q3, so autofocus relies solely on contrast detection.
Content Credentials and Connectivity
The Q3 Monochrom also introduces Content Credentials technology to the Q series — a first for this line. Images carry a digital signature compliant with the Content Authenticity Initiative, providing tamper-proof verification of origin and edits.
Connectivity includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, and micro HDMI, with seamless integration into the Leica FOTOS app for mobile workflows. The camera also inherits the updated user interface from the SL3, which separates photo and video functions with distinct color schemes and intuitive menu navigation. Leica’s rolling out this UI to the standard Q3 and Q3 43 via firmware update later this year, but the Q3 Monochrom gets it out of the box.
Spec Sheet
Model: Leica Q3 Monochrom
Sensor: 60MP BSI-CMOS (monochrome, no Bayer filter)
Lens: Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH (fixed)
ISO Range: 100–200,000
Resolution Options: 60MP, 36MP, 18MP
Video: 8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps (monochrome)
Viewfinder: 5.76MP OLED
Display: Tilting touchscreen
Autofocus: Contrast-detection
Weather Sealing: IP52
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, micro HDMI
Weight: TBD
Price: $7,790
Pricing & Availability
The Leica Q3 Monochrom is available now at Leica’s website for $7,790. That’s a $1,055 premium over the standard Q3. Optional accessories include a handgrip with wireless charging, a red filter, and various carrying straps.
Recap
Leica Q3 Monochrom Camera
The Leica Q3 Monochrom is a black-and-white-only camera with a 60MP sensor that ditches the color filter entirely, delivering sharper images and better low-light performance than any camera that shoots color and converts later.
