The Leica Q3 already stands out as one of the most premium compact cameras on the market. Now, Leica appears ready to launch a Q3 Monochrom, stripping away color to focus purely on black-and-white photography with no Bayer filter in sight.
Leica Q3 Monochrom could launch on November 20
According to new reports, Leica will unveil the Q3 Monochrom this Thursday, November 20. The move isn’t unexpected after all, Leica released Monochrom versions of both the Q2 and M11. So this new iteration feels more like a continuation than a surprise.
No official specs have leaked yet, but Leica’s past approach offers a strong clue about what’s coming.
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What’s likely to change in the Q3 Monochrom
The core specs will likely stay the same as the standard Q3: a 60.3 MP full-frame sensor, 28mm f/1.7 Summilux lens, Maestro IV processor, and 5.76M-dot EVF. But as with previous Monochrom models, Leica is expected to remove the Bayer color filter, allowing the sensor to capture true black-and-white images.
The change reduces light loss and improves image quality at high ISOs an area where previous Monochrom models excelled. For example, the M11 Monochrom delivers clean images even at ISO 200,000, thanks to its direct-luminance sensor design.
Design-wise, Leica typically removes the red logo and tweaks the leather texture on its Monochrom models. Expect the same understated aesthetic here.
Why the Q3 Monochrom could appeal to purists
Without a color filter array, the Q3 Monochrom won’t offer color photography at all. That’s a deal-breaker for some but for others, it’s exactly the point. You get higher sharpness, reduced noise, and a shooting experience built entirely around light, shadow, and texture.
Here’s what we expect from the Q3 Monochrom:
- 60MP full-frame monochrome sensor
- No Bayer filter for maximum light sensitivity
- 28mm f/1.7 Summilux lens
- Maestro IV processor
- 8K video and 120Hz EVF
- Subtle design updates (no red dot)
A niche camera with a focused vision
Monochrome cameras aren’t for everyone but that’s what makes them special. If the Leica Q3 Monochrom follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, it won’t just be a Q3 with a different sensor. It’ll be a tool built for photographers who see in contrast, not color.
