Leica Q3 Monocrom

Q3 Monochrom: Versatility in Black & White

Bringing monochrome-only imaging to the beloved all-in-one Q3 platform, the Leica Q3 Monochrom is a multimedia camera with a unique mixture of versatility and decisiveness. Distinguished by its black-and-white-only 60MP full-frame sensor and a newly styled body design, the Q3 Monochrom retains the other key assets of the series, including a fixed 28mm f/1.7 lens, 8K video recording, a high-res EVF and LCD, and intuitive, streamlined operation.
 
Full-Frame Sensor and Maestro IV Processor
 
60MP Black & White BSI CMOS Sensor

Taken from the M11 Monochrom, the Q3 Monochrom features the same 60MP full-frame CMOS sensor that has been modified to solely record black-and-white imagery. By removing the color filer array (CFA), the sensor only records monochromatic imagery using luminance values for enhanced clarity, depth, and resolution. By omitting this CFA, the Q3 Monochrom also achieves a higher sensitivity range (compared to color-enabled Q3 cameras) of ISO 100-200000.

This high-resolution sensor features a back-illuminated (BSI) design that offers improved noise performance and faster readout speeds, which benefits both photo and video applications. The higher resolution suits more detail-oriented applications, like landscape and architectural subjects, and the noise-reduction benefits of the BSI design improve clarity and sharpness when working in low-light conditions with higher ISOs.

The added resolution of the 60MP sensor also enables unique digital zoom capabilities to simulate working with different focal length lenses: a 1.25x crop simulates a 35mm focal length, a 1.8x crop simulates a 50mm focal length, a 2.7x crop simulates a 75mm focal length, and a 3.2x crop simulates a 90mm focal length.
 
Triple Resolution Technology

Also like the M11 and other Q3-series cameras, the 60MP sensor in the Q3 Monochrom enables the use of Triple Resolution Technology. This unique pixel binning process allows photographers to select 60MP, 36MP, or 18MP output, with each resolution making use of the full sensor area and providing rich 14-bit imagery and a wide dynamic range.
 
Maestro IV

The Maestro IV processor, along with 8GB of buffer memory, suits the multimedia-intended use of the Q3 Monochrom and enables speedy performance when shooting stills or recording video. The faster processing also benefits using Triple Resolution Technology, helps achieve a wider sensitivity range from ISO 100-200000, allows continuous shooting up to an impressive 15 fps, and facilitates smooth operation when working with the EVF and LCD.
 
Leica Content Credentials + Content Authenticity Initiative

The Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) is a collaborative effort initiated by Adobe in partnership with various other organizations, including The New York Times and Leica. Its primary goal is to develop a standard for digital content attribution.
 
In the Q3 Monochrom, this technology shows up as Leica Content Credentials. By using a secure processing chip, the camera will encrypt image metadata at the point of capture. This information can then be independently verified and even appended to when using compatible applications, such as Adobe Photoshop. Viewers can then verify the provenance of the image and confirm the veracity of the image. The aim is to give viewers more confidence in the images they are looking at and provide creators with another way to maintain credits.