Nikon Z8 vs Leica Q3

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon Z8 and the Leica Q3, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Both cameras were introduced in May 2023. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon Z8 over Leica Q3.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica Q3 over Nikon Z8.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon Z8 has a 3.2" screen with 2,100k dot resolution and Leica Q3 has a 3.0" screen with 1,843k dot resolution. Both have Tilting screens. Tilting screen makes cameras very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting. Both models feature touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

Viewfinder

Nikon Z8 has a built-in 0.5" Electronic (OLED) viewfinder with 3,690k dot resolution and Leica Q3 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 5,760k dot resolution. They both have 100% coverage.

Nikon Z8 features a 45.7 megapixel Full Frame Stacked CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 858 mm². Its native ISO range is 64 - 25,600 and expands to 32 - 102,400 in boosted mode. Leica Q3 features a 60.3 megapixel Full Frame BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 576 mm². Its native ISO range is 50 - 100,000.

Nikon Z8 has Stacked CMOS sensor. The key feature of such sensor is its three-dimensional structure, which consists of multiple layers of semiconductor material and circuitry stacked on top of each other. This allows the sensor to have dedicated layers for image capture and signal processing. This separation allows for faster data readout, reducing rolling shutter effects and enabling high-speed shooting and video recording. It is also more power-efficient.

Leica Q3 has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Nikon Z8 is equipped with EXPEED 7 processor and can take pictures up to 8256 x 5504 resolution. Leica Q3 is equipped with Maestro IV processor and can take pictures up to 9520 x 6336 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 36.5 MP: 7404 x 4928, 18.6 MP: 5288 x 3518 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

No Low-Pass Filter

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on either of the cameras. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in image stabilization (6 stops of compensation in Nikon Z8). On Nikon Z8 it means that you are still getting vibration reduction when it is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

Built-in Wi-Fi

Cameras have built-in Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac/b/g/n 2.4/5 GHz on Nikon Z8) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

Bluetooth

Nikon Z8 and Leica Q3 have built-in Bluetooth (version 5 on Nikon Z8) which lets you to connect the camera to a smartphone or a dedicated remote control device. This allows you to remotely trigger the camera, adjust settings and controls remotely through a paired mobile app. While Wi-Fi is generally faster for transferring larger files, Bluetooth can be used for small, selective transfers, it can provide real-time information about your camera's battery status, memory card capacity, and other key settings directly on your paired smartphone or smartwatch.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in Bluetooth.

NFC on Leica Q3

Leica Q3 has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB Type-C inputs for data transfer and battery charging. Nikon Z8 has a Full Size HDMI and Leica Q3 has a Micro HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon Z8 comes with EN-EL15c battery pack with battery life of 330 shots and Leica Q3 comes with BP-SCL6 battery pack with battery life of 350 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon Z8 has two card slots - one for CFexpress Type B / XQD and one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II). Leica Q3 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Nikon Z8 has Electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/32000 sec on Nikon Z8, and up to 1/16000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/2000 sec with mechanical shutter on Leica Q3. Nikon Z8 can shoot continuously up to 30.0 fps. Leica Q3 can shoot continuously up to 15.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon Z8 has Hybrid phase-detection/contrast AF system with 493 focusing points and Leica Q3 has 315 focusing points. Nikon Z8 has detection range from -9 to +19 EV. The ability to focus at as low as -9 EV is a feature exclusive to top-tier professional cameras.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon Z8 ranges from -3 to +17 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon Z8 and ±3 range on Leica Q3. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon Z8 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Leica Q3.

Flash

Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe to Nikon Z8 and via Shoe Mount to Leica Q3. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon Z8 and 1/500 sec on Leica Q3.

Nikon Z8 body has dimensions of 144 x 119 x 83 mm (5.67 x 4.69 x 3.27") and Leica Q3 body has dimensions of 130 x 80 x 93 mm (5.12 x 3.15 x 3.66"). Nikon Z8 weighs 910 g (2.01 lb / 32.10 oz) and Leica Q3 weighs 743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz).

Nikon Z8

Leica Q3

144 mm

119 mm

130 mm

80 mm

119 mm

80 mm

83 mm

93 mm