The Art of Speed
At Leica and in Formula 1®, teams of engineers work with the utmost precision for months to achieve that decisive fraction of a second. This shared passion for precision and technology has given rise to the Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition – a tribute to the art of speed.
This special edition features handcrafted carbon fibre parts, non-slip Microvelour and official F1® branding. With a focal length of 43 mm, it captures even the most adrenaline-fuelled moments as faithfully as the human eye perceives them.
Born from German engineering. Driven by the spirit of racing.
Official Formula 1® Special Edition
Handcrafted carbon-fibre elements
Camera and accessories set
Unmistakable Down to the Last Detail
From the engraved top plate and matching lens cap to the rope strap bearing both brands’ logos: the F1® and Leica details incorporated into the material give this exclusive special edition a distinctive character all of its own.
F1® Form Factor
The Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition features motorsport-inspired materials in areas that are particularly important for touch: the body is covered in black Microvelour for a grip on the housing similar to that found on racing steering wheels. Additionally, carbon-fibre parts, which are specially manufactured in Germany, have been fitted to the hand grip, thumb rest and soft-release button. Not only were the carbon fibres precisely shaped for this purpose, the intricate surface finish also creates an elegant link to the world of motor racing.
Focus Comes in Colour
The high-visibility colours on the racing steering wheel play a vital role in helping you track hand movements, even when you’re only seeing them out of the corner of your eye. This allows you to keep your focus on the race. This special edition incorporates the same principle for the soft-release button and the right-hand function button in the thumb rest, both of which are finished in Formula 1® red to ensure every grip is spot on. This lets you keep your focus on the subject.
The ‘Formula 1®’ Leica Look
As part of this special edition, a matching rendering has also been developed to create a holistic racing experience. The exclusive ‘Formula 1®’ Leica Look captures the atmosphere of the racetrack and brings it directly into the finished image, with greater contrast and saturation. This look can be transferred to the camera via the Leica FOTOS App and applied immediately. This effect can be applied to JPEGs, which can then be transferred to a smartphone via the app in a matter of seconds and shared straight away.
No Compromises on Technology
The Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition is based on the Leica Q3 43 model. It retains the original model’s outstanding image quality and intuitive operation, combining them with an exclusive design inspired by the world of motorsport.
Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition
| Sensor | 60 MP CMOS full-frame sensor |
| Processor | Leica Maestro series (Maestro IV) |
| Video | Recording up to 8K |
| Dimensions | 130 x 80.3 x 97.6 mm |
| Lens | Leica APO-Summicron 43 f/2 ASPH. |
| Focus range | 60 cm to ∞ | Macro setting: 26.5 cm to 60 cm |
| Autofocus | Fast hybrid AF combining contrast measurement, depth mapping and phase detection |
| Aperture | f/2 to f/16 in 1/3 EV increments |
Top Performance at a Glance
Developed specifically for the Leica Q3 43, the fast APO-Summicron 43 f/2 ASPH. is part of the legendary family of Leica APO lenses, which are renowned for producing exceptionally sharp, high-contrast images.
At the maximum aperture of f/2, subjects are isolated from the background with a harmonious bokeh effect, even in low light. The built-in macro mode captures close-up subjects with impressive detail. Despite its sophisticated design featuring seven aspherical surfaces, the lens retains the compact form factor for which the Leica Q series is renowned.
Sensor with Triple Resolution Technology
The Leica Q3 43’s full-frame sensor enables you to select 60, 36 or 18 megapixels at any time in either JPEG or DNG format. Regardless of the selected resolution, the camera always utilises the entire sensor area. The ISO range of 50 to 100,000 provides flexibility in challenging lighting conditions.
Processing is handled by the Maestro IV chip with L² technology. This ensures the camera runs quickly and reliably, even at the highest resolution for both stills and video.
Always Ready in a Flash
Developed specifically for the Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition, the wireless charging hand grip is a striking design feature inspired by motorsport. Instead of the classic leatherette covering, the hand grip is made of carbon fibre for greater camera control. This is particularly useful when shooting with one hand; a wrist strap can also be attached for added security.
The Arca-Swiss mount enables quick mounting of the camera on a tripod, while the grip can be removed at any time. Thanks to the integrated charging function, the camera starts charging as soon as it is placed on the Drop XL Wireless Charger charging pad.
The F1 FORMULA 1 logo, F1 logo, F1, FORMULA 1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula 1 company.
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Technical Data
| Designation | Leica Q3 43 |
| Camera type | Digital 35 mm compact camera |
| Dimensions | 130 x 80,3 x 97,6 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 772g/688 g (with/without battery) |
| Material | Full metal housing: magnesium die-cast, leather covering, protection type IP52 |
| Buffer memory | 8 GB |
| Sensor size | CMOS-Sensor, 62,39 MP/60,3 MP (total/effective) |
| Storage medium | UHS-II (recommended), UHS-I, SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card |
| Operating conditions | 0 °C to +40 °C |
| Interfaces | ISO accessory shoe with additional control contacts for Leica flash units, HDMI jack Type D, USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C up to 10 Gbps |
| Tripod thread | A 1/4 DIN 4503 (1/4”) with stainless steel in the basen |
| Processor | Leica Maestro series (Maestro IV) |
| Filter | RGB color filter, UV/IR filter, no low-pass filter |
| File formats | Photo: DNG™ (raw data), DNG + JPG, JPG (DCF 2.0, Exif 2.31) Video: MOV |
| Image resolution | DNG™ 9520 x 6336 Pixel (60,3 MP) 7404 x 4928 Pixel (36,5 MP) 5288 x 3518 Pixel (18,6 MP) JPG |
| File size | DNG™: approx. 70 MB, depending on resolution and image content JPG: depending on resolution and image content Video: max. length: 29 min |
| Color depth | DNG™: 14 Bit JPG: 8 Bit |
| Color space | Foto: sRGB |
| Video Resolution | C8K (17:9) 8192 x 4320 8K (16:9) C4K (17:9) 4K (16:9) Full HD (16:9) |
| Video frame rate/bit rate | MOV C8K (recording to SD) 29,97 fps C8K 4:2:0 / 10 Bit h.265 L-GOP 300 Mbps 25,00 fps C8K 4:2:0 / 10 Bit h.265 L-GOP 300 Mbps 24,00 fps C8K 4:2:0 / 10 Bit h.265 L-GOP 300 Mbps 23,98 fps C8K 4:2:0 / 10 Bit h.265 L-GOP 300 Mbps MOV C8K (HDMI output without HLG/L-Log and without recording to SD) MOV C8K (HDMI output with HLG/L-Log or during recording to SD) MOV 8K (recording to SD) MOV 8K (HDMI output without HLG/L-Log and without recording to SD) MOV 8K (HDMI output with HLG/L-Log or during recording to SD) MOV C4K MOV 4K MOV FHD MOV FHD Slow Motion MOV FHD ProRes MP4 8K MP4 4K MP4 FHD |
| Lens | |
| Designation | Leica APO-Summicron 43 f/2 ASPH., 11 lenses in 8 segments, 7 aspherical lens areas |
| Lens filter thread | E49 |
| Digital zoom | Optionally approx. 1.4x (equivalent to 60 mm), approx. 1.7x (equivalent to 75 mm), approx. 2.0x (equivalent to 90 mm), approx. 2.8x (equivalent to 120 mm), or approx. 3.5x (equivalent to 150 mm) |
| Image stabilization | Visual compensation system for photos and video recordings |
| Aperture range | F2 to F16 in 1⁄3 EV increments |
| Viewfinder/LCD panel | |
| Viewfinder (EVF) | Resolution: 5,760,000 dots, 120 fps, magnification: 0.79x at aspect ratio: 4:3 / 0.76x at aspect ratio: 3:2, frame coverage: 100%, exit pupil position: 20.75 mm, setting range -4/+2 dpt, with eye sensor for automatic switchover between viewfinder and LCD panel, time delay 0.005 s |
| LCD panel | 3” TFT LCD, approx. 1,843,200 dots, 384 ppi, aspect ratio 3:2, touch panel |
| Shutter | |
| Shutter type | Mechanical central shutter or optional electronic shutter |
| Shutter speeds | Mech. shutter: 120 s to 1⁄2000 s Electro. shutter function: 1 s to 1⁄16000 s Flash Synchronization: up to 1⁄2000 s |
| Shutter button | Two-stage (1st stage: Activation of the camera electronics including autofocus and exposure metering, 2nd stage: Taking the picture) |
| Self-timer | Delay time: 2 s or 12 s |
| Drive Mode | Single, Interval Shooting, Exposure Bracketing
Continuous shooting: Continuous - 7 fps / 14 bit, Continuous - 9 fps / 12 bit, Continuous - 15 fps / 12 bit: |
| Focusing | |
| Focus range | 60 cm to ∞ Macro setting: 26.5 cm to 60 cm |
| Focus mode | Automatic or manual With manual setting: optional magnifying glass function (Auto Magnification) and edge marking (Focus Peaking) available as focus assist |
| Autofocus system | Hybrid-AF due to combination of contrast metering, depth mapping, and phase comparison metering with AF metering points in the sensor. |
| Autofocus modes | Intelligent AF (autonomously selects AFs and AFc), AFs, AFc, AF setting can be saved, optional Touch AF |
| Autofocus metering methods | Spot (can be shifted), Field (can be shifted and scaled), Multi-Field, Zone (can be shifted), Eye/Face/Body Detection, Eye/Face/Body + Animal Detection, Tracking |
| Autofocus metering fields | 315 |
| Exposure | |
| Exposure metering | TTL (exposure metering through the lens), with working aperture |
| Metering principle | Exposure metering is done by the image sensor for all exposure metering methods (in Live View mode and in rangefinder mode) |
| Exposure metering methods | Spot, Center-Weighted, Highlight-Weighted, Multi-Field |
| Exposure modes | Program AE mode (P) Aperture-priority mode (A): manual aperture setting Shutter-priority mode (S): manual shutter-speed setting Manual (M): manual setting for shutter speed and aperture Various fully automated variants (Scene Mode): AUTO, Sport, Portrait, Landscape, Night Portrait, Snow/Beach, Fireworks, Candlelight, Sunset, Digiscoping |
| Exposure compensation | ±3 EV in 1/3 EV increments |
| Automatic bracketing | 3 or 5 frames, graduations between shoots up to 3 EV, in 1/3 EV increments additional optional exposure compensation: up to ±3 EV |
| ISO sensitivity range | Photo: Auto ISO 100 to ISO 100 000 Manual ISO 50 to ISO 100 000 Video: |
| White balance | Automatic (Auto), default (Daylight, Cloudy, Shadow, Tungsten, Flash), manual metering (Gray card), manual color temperature settings (Color Temperature, 2000 K to 11500 K) |
| Flash | |
| Flash unit connector | Via the accessory shoe |
| Flash sync time | 1/2000 s, slower shutter speeds available, automatic changeover to TTL linear flash mode with HSS-compatible Leica system flash units if sync time is undercut |
| Flash exposure metering | Using center-weighted TTL pre-flash metering with Leica flash units (SF 26, SF 40, SF 58, SF 60, SF 64) or with system compatible flash units, remote controlled flash SF C1 |
| Flash exposure compensation | SF 40: ±2 EV in 1/2 EV increments SF 60: ±2 EV in 1/3 EV increments |
| Equipment | |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| USB Audio | New supported USB audio products by RØDE: VideoMic GO II, VideoMic NTG, Wireless GO II, Wireless ME and compatible USB microphones |
| Speaker | Mono |
| WLAN | WLAN function for connecting to the Leica FOTOS app. The Leica app is available from the Apple App Store™ or the Google Play Store™. EU/US/CN: 2,4 GHz 5 GHz Access point + client mode: JP: 5 GHz Client mode: Maximum output (e.i.r.p.): <14 dBm, encryption method: WLAN-compatible WPA™/WPA2™/WPA3™ |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0 LE: Channel 0–39 (2402–2480 MHz), maximum output (e.i.r.p.): 10 dBm |
| GPS | Not available everywhere due to country-specific legislation; can be added via the Leica FOTOS app. Data is written to Exif header of the picture files. |
| Menu languages | English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean |
| Power supply | |
| Rechargeable battery (Leica BP-SCL6) | Lithium-ion rechargeable battery, rated voltage: 7.2 V (DC); capacity: 2200 mAh (min.), 350 shots (based on CIPA standard, with All Displays Auto Off = 5 s); manufacturer: Panasonic Energy (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Made in China |
| Charger (Leica BC-SCL4) | Input: AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz, 0.25 A, automatic switchover; output: DC 8.4 V 0.85 A; manufacturer: Salom Electric (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., Made in China |
| Charging via USB | During operation: 9 V/3 A (min. 27 W) With camera switched off: 5 V/1500 mA (2.5 W or greater) |
| Wireless Charging | Optimal performance with 9 V chargers (10 W Charging Pad required) |
| Rated values for input voltage/power | 7.2 V 2.3 A (battery), 5 V 3.0 A / 9 V 2.5 A (USB) |
