I’ve been testing the Sony RX1R III and Leica Q3 for three weeks

Summary

Testing the Leica Q3 and Sony RX1R III reveals these luxury compact, full-frame, fixed-lens cameras are not practical for most users despite their impressive image quality. The Sony, priced over $5,000 with a 35mm f/2 lens, and the Leica, over $7,000 with a 28mm f/1.7 lens, are difficult to hold and lack features like flip screens or interchangeable lenses. While the Sony offers better autofocus and image output, alternatives like the Sony A7CR provide similar sensors and more versatility for less money, suggesting these cameras appeal more as luxury items than functional tools.

Key points

• Leica Q3 and Sony RX1R III are expensive, fixed-lens, full-frame compact cameras.
• Both cameras offer excellent image quality but are criticized for impracticality and limited features.
• The Sony RX1R III has better autofocus and image output compared to the Leica Q3.
• More practical alternatives exist, making these cameras comparable to luxury goods rather than value-driven tools.