Fujifilm X100VI vs Leica Q3

The Fujifilm X100VI and the Leica Q3 are two enthusiast cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2024 and May 2023. Both the X100VI and the Q3 are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on an APS-C (X100VI) and a full frame (Q3) sensor. The Fujifilm has a resolution of 39.8 megapixels, whereas the Leica provides 60.3 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Fujifilm X100VI		Leica Q3
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
35mm f/2.0		28mm f/1.7
39.8 MP – APS-C sensor		60.3 MP – Full Frame sensor
6.2K/30p Video		8K/30p Video
ISO 125-12,800 (64 - 51,200)		ISO 50-100,000
Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (5760k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1620k dots		3.0" LCD – 1840k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Tilting touchscreen
11 shutter flaps per second		15 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		Lens-based stabilization
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
450 shots per battery charge		350 shots per battery charge
128 x 75 x 55 mm, 521 g		130 x 80 x 93 mm, 743 g

Check X100VI price at
amazon.com
Check Q3 price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X100VI and the Leica Q3? 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

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X100VI and the Leica Q3 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The X100VI 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 Leica Q3 is notably larger (8 percent) than the Fujifilm X100VI. Moreover, the Q3 is substantially heavier (43 percent) than the X100VI. 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.

Concerning battery life, the X100VI gets 450 shots out of its Fujifilm NP-W126S battery, while the Q3 can take 350 images on a single charge of its Leica BP-SCL6 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm X100VI	128 mm	75 mm	55 mm	521 g	450	Y	Feb 2024	EUR 1 799	amazon.com
2.		Leica Q3	130 mm	80 mm	93 mm	743 g	350	Y	May 2023	EUR 5 999	amazon.com
3.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	148 mm	94 mm	91 mm	740 g	400	Y	Sep 2016	EUR 6 499	ebay.com
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	141 mm	83 mm	46 mm	495 g	350	Y	Jan 2016	EUR 1 799	ebay.com
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	141 mm	83 mm	46 mm	497 g	440	Y	Oct 2019	EUR 1 899	amazon.com
6.		Fujifilm X-T2	133 mm	92 mm	49 mm	507 g	340	Y	Jul 2016	EUR 1 699	ebay.com
7.		Fujifilm X-T3	133 mm	93 mm	59 mm	539 g	390	Y	Sep 2018	EUR 1 499	ebay.com
8.		Fujifilm X-T4	135 mm	93 mm	64 mm	607 g	500	Y	Feb 2020	EUR 1 799	ebay.com
9.		Fujifilm X-T5	130 mm	91 mm	64 mm	557 g	580	Y	Nov 2022	EUR 1 999	amazon.com
10.		Fujifilm X100V	128 mm	75 mm	53 mm	478 g	420	Y	Feb 2020	EUR 1 499	ebay.com
11.		Leica M Typ 240	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	500	Y	Sep 2012	EUR 6 199	ebay.com
12.		Leica M11	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	640 g	700	Y	Jan 2022	EUR 8 349	amazon.com
13.		Leica Q2	130 mm	80 mm	92 mm	718 g	370	Y	Mar 2019	EUR 4 799	amazon.com
14.		Leica SL3	141 mm	108 mm	85 mm	769 g	320	Y	Mar 2024	EUR 6 799	amazon.com
15.		Sony A7C II	124 mm	71 mm	63 mm	514 g	540	Y	Aug 2023	EUR 2 399	amazon.com
16.		Sony A6700	122 mm	69 mm	64 mm	493 g	570	Y	Jul 2023	EUR 1 699	amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The X100VI was launched at a markedly lower price (by 73 percent) than the Q3, which puts it into a different market segment. 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. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have 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 Fujifilm X100VI features an APS-C sensor and the Leica Q3 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the Q3 is 135 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 60.3MP, the Q3 offers a higher resolution than the X100VI (39.8MP), but the Q3 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.79μm versus 3.04μm for the X100VI) due to its larger sensor. However, the X100VI is a somewhat more recent model (by 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 pixel-units. 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 Fujifilm X100VI are 38.6 x 25.8 inches or 98.1 x 65.4 cm for good quality, 30.9 x 20.6 inches or 78.5 x 52.3 cm for very good quality, and 25.8 x 17.2 inches or 65.4 x 43.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Fujifilm X100VI has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 64-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica Q3 are ISO 50 to ISO 100000 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the X100VI is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the Q3 uses a CMOS imager. The X100VI uses Fujifilm's X-Trans layout of photosites, while the Q3 employs the more common Bayer array.

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.		Fujifilm X100VI	APS-C	39.8	7728	5152	6.2K/30p	24.3	14.1	2397	86
2.		Leica Q3	Full Frame	60.3	9528	6328	8K/30p	25.4	14.7	3216	96
3.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	Medium Format	51.1	8256	6192	1080/30p	25.4	14.1	2977	96
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.7	13.0	1608	80
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/30p	24.1	13.6	1968	84
6.		Fujifilm X-T2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	23.8	13.1	1653	81
7.		Fujifilm X-T3	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/60p	24.0	13.4	1853	83
8.		Fujifilm X-T4	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/60p	24.1	13.6	1995	84
9.		Fujifilm X-T5	APS-C	39.8	7728	5152	6.2k/30p	24.3	13.9	2264	86
10.		Fujifilm X100V	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/30p	24.2	13.6	1996	84
11.		Leica M Typ 240	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	1080/25p	24.0	13.3	1860	84
12.		Leica M11	Full Frame	60.3	9528	6328	none	26.3	14.8	3376	100
13.		Leica Q2	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/30p	26.4	13.5	2491	96
14.		Leica SL3	Full Frame	60.3	9520	6336	8K/30p	25.4	14.8	3295	97
15.		Sony A7C II	Full Frame	32.7	7008	4672	4K/60p	25.4	14.7	3237	96
16.		Sony A6700	APS-C	25.6	6192	4128	4K/120p	24.3	14.0	2329	86
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the Q3 provides a better video resolution than the X100VI. It can shoot movie footage at 8K/30p, while the Fujifilm is limited to 6.2K/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under review 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 X100VI (5760k vs 3690k dots). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Fujifilm X100VI and Leica Q3 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.		Fujifilm X100VI	3690	n	3.0 / 1620	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	Y
2.		Leica Q3	5760	n	3.0 / 1840	tilting	Y	1/2000s	15.0/s	n	Y
3.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	optional	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	n
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	2360	n	3.0 / 1620	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0/s	n	n
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	3690	n	3.0 / 1620	tilting	Y	1/8000s	8.0/s	n	n
6.		Fujifilm X-T2	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	full-flex	n	1/8000s	8.0/s	n	n
7.		Fujifilm X-T3	3690	n	3.0 / 1040	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	11.0/s	n	n
8.		Fujifilm X-T4	3690	n	3.0 / 1620	swivel	Y	1/8000s	15.0/s	n	Y
9.		Fujifilm X-T5	3690	n	3.0 / 1840	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	15.0/s	n	Y
10.		Fujifilm X100V	3690	n	3.0 / 1620	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	n
11.		Leica M Typ 240	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	n
12.		Leica M11	optical	n	3.0 / 2333	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.5/s	n	n
13.		Leica Q2	3680	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	n	Y
14.		Leica SL3	5760	Y	3.2 / 2333	tilting	Y	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	Y
15.		Sony A7C II	2360	n	3.0 / 1037	swivel	Y	1/4000s	10.0/s	n	Y
16.		Sony A6700	2360	n	3.0 / 1037	swivel	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	Y
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 Fujifilm X100VI and the Leica Q3 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.

Both the X100VI and the Q3 have built-in prime lenses. The X100VI has a 35mm f/2.0 optic and the Q3 offers a 28mm f/1.7 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Fujifilm provides more tele-photo reach than the Leica. The Q3 offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the X100VI and the Q3 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 Fujifilm X100VI and Leica Q3 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.		Fujifilm X100VI	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
2.		Leica Q3	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
3.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	-	3.1	Y	-	Y
6.		Fujifilm X-T2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
7.		Fujifilm X-T3	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
8.		Fujifilm X-T4	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
9.		Fujifilm X-T5	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
10.		Fujifilm X100V	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
11.		Leica M Typ 240	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Leica M11	Y	- / -	-	-	-	3.2	Y	-	Y
13.		Leica Q2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	-	Y	-	Y
14.		Leica SL3	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
15.		Sony A7C II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
16.		Sony A6700	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	YES	3.2	Y	Y	Y

It is notable that the X100VI has a microphone port, which is missing on the Q3. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Both the X100VI and the Q3 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The Q3 replaced the earlier Leica Q2, while the X100VI followed on from the Fujifilm X100V. Further information on the features and operation of the X100VI and Q3 can be found, respectively, in the Fujifilm X100VI Manual (free pdf) or the online Leica Q3 Manual.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Fujifilm X100VI and the Leica Q3? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Reasons to prefer the Fujifilm X100VI:

• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 222g or 30 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (450 versus 350) on a single battery charge.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 3.1).
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (73 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 8 months after the Q3).

Advantages of the Leica Q3:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (60.3 vs 39.8MP), which boosts linear resolution by 23%.
• 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 6.2K/30p).
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (5760k vs 3690k dots).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.79x vs 0.44x).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1840k vs 1620k dots).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (15 vs 11 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/1.7 vs f/2.0).
• Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in May 2023).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the Q3 is the clear winner of the contest (14 : 7 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. 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 Fujifilm X100VI and the Leica Q3 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Prime Lens Compact Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the X100VI or the Q3. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major 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.		Fujifilm X100VI	5/5	+ +	4.5/5	..	..	4.5/5	Feb 2024	EUR 1 799	amazon.com
2.		Leica Q3	5/5	..	4.5/5	..	..	4.5/5	May 2023	EUR 5 999	amazon.com
3.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	..	..	4.5/5	85/100	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	EUR 6 499	ebay.com
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	..	+	..	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	EUR 1 799	ebay.com
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	4/5	+	4/5	85/100	4/5	..	Oct 2019	EUR 1 899	amazon.com
6.		Fujifilm X-T2	5/5	+ +	..	86/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2016	EUR 1 699	ebay.com
7.		Fujifilm X-T3	5/5	+ +	4.5/5	88/100	5/5	5/5	Sep 2018	EUR 1 499	ebay.com
8.		Fujifilm X-T4	5/5	+ +	5/5	88/100	5/5	5/5	Feb 2020	EUR 1 799	ebay.com
9.		Fujifilm X-T5	5/5	+ +	4.5/5	90/100	4.5/5	..	Nov 2022	EUR 1 999	amazon.com
10.		Fujifilm X100V	5/5	+ +	4.5/5	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2020	EUR 1 499	ebay.com
11.		Leica M Typ 240	4/5	..	..	..	4/5	..	Sep 2012	EUR 6 199	ebay.com
12.		Leica M11	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2022	EUR 8 349	amazon.com
13.		Leica Q2	..	..	4.5/5	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Mar 2019	EUR 4 799	amazon.com
14.		Leica SL3	..	..	4.5/5	..	..	4.5/5	Mar 2024	EUR 6 799	amazon.com
15.		Sony A7C II	4/5	..	4/5	87/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2023	EUR 2 399	amazon.com
16.		Sony A6700	4.5/5	+	4.5/5	88/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2023	EUR 1 699	amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Check X100VI price at
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Check Q3 price at
amazon.com

Other camera comparisons

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