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That’s huge money, albeit for two quality products.
Put simply, I wouldn’t choose one camera over the other based on size and weight alone.
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Both cameras are capable of photo and video recording, but the GFX100RF handles better for video.
It includes mic in and headphone out ports, while the Q3 has neither.
Neither is particularly grippy, but both cameras are similarly comfortable to use for extended periods.
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
However, I wouldn’t describe either wide-angle lens as a specialist portraiture optic.
Two other advantages of the Q3’s f/1.7 lens are its light-gathering capabilities andthe fact that it’s stabilized.
I also adore the handling of the Q3’s lens.
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
That gives the Q3 the edge for macro, but again neither are macro specialist lenses.
So while I love the way the GFX100RF’s compact lens feels, for shooting I prefer the Q3.
Both lenses do a superb job of handling distortion, too.
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The Q3 is slightly less prone to less flare, but that’s a close call.
However, the Fujifilm GFX100RF ups the bar with its larger medium-format sensor and 102MP resolution.
(That said, the Q3 offers8K30p video, the GFX100RF just4K).
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Note there’s theLeica Q3 43variant too with 43mm lens.
However, a wide lens makes perfect sense for pixel-rich cameras like these.
They both feature a handy digital crop mode to emulate different focal lengths, accessible via a dedicated control.
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Likewise, the GFX100RF emulates 36mm, 50mm and 63mm focal lengths.
Going one step further, the GFX100RF includes an aspect ratio dial.
In reality, both models are more than enough camera for reportage photography.
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Cost aside, what about the design and performance of each camera?
Both are incredibly capable for everyday, street and reportage photography.
It also boasts class-leading detail.
It’s premium in its own way particularly that stunning f/1.7 stabilized lens.
Considering the two incredible cameras just as they are, give me the Q3.
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The Leica Q3 with its lens set to f/1.7(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
That same composition with the Fujifilm GFX100RF and its lens set to f/4, its maximum aperture(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The Leica Q3 with its lens set to f/1.7(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
That same composition with the Fujifilm GFX100RF and its lens set to f/4, its maximum aperture(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The Leica Q3 with its lens set to f/1.7(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
That same composition with the Fujifilm GFX100RF and its lens set to f/4, its maximum aperture(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The Leica Q3 has an excellent handle on lens flare, which is virtually absent here(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The same scene with the GFX100RF – note the slight flare above the sun(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
At f/1.7 and a 1/3 sec shutter speed, I could set the Q3 to ISO 50 for a clean and sharp night image(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The GFX100RF on the other hand need a shutter speed of 1/75sec and ISO 3200 to get a sharp image using the maximum f/4 aperture. It’s still clean, but the Q3 is the better of the two for handheld night images(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The kind of detailed scene that the Fujifilm GFX100RF is perfect for. Detail is sharp from center to edges(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Dynamic range impresses in this backlit scene taken with the GFX100RF(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The standard color profile is a little punchier and contrasty than the Leica Q3’s(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Skin tones are generally spot on(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Where the Q3 loses a little detail in the sunlit arches on the left, the GFX100RF holds more(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Detail from 60.3MP files is superb, though not to the same level as the 102MP GFX100RF. Also, looking closely at the corners, the detail is a twinge softer in the Q3 image.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
In the same detailed scene, the Q3 has a more powerful 90mm crop mode to focus in on details(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
There’s less detail in the sky of this scene, where the GFX100RF shows a little more blue(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
I find the Q3’s standard color profile to be a little more natural and restrained than the GFX100RF’s contrasty look.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Detail in shadows is evident in the Q3’s standard profile. Of course, it’s possible to select a muted GFX100RF color profile for a similar look.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
We’ve lost a little detail in the highlights here. However, this is a straight out of camera JPEG, and more detail can be recovered in the DNG RAW file.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)