Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition

Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition — Key Specs & Highlights

The Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition is a special edition of the Leica Q3 43, created with Formula 1 as part of a licensing partnership. Technically it is identical to the Q3 43: the same APO-Summicron 43 f/2 ASPH. lens and 60 MP sensor. The difference is the finish, with genuine carbon fibre parts, red accents and a dedicated 'Formula 1' Leica Look.

• Genuine carbon fibre: handgrip shell, thumb rest and soft-release inlay, made and tested in Germany.
• Wireless charging handgrip with a carbon fibre shell, included in the set.
• Racing-inspired details: black Microvelour covering modelled on a racing steering wheel, red-rimmed soft-release button, F1 logo on the top plate and lens cap.
• 'Formula 1' Leica Look: higher contrast and richer saturation, exclusive to this camera.
• APO-Summicron 43 f/2 ASPH.: Leica's first apochromatic lens in the Q series.
• 60 MP full-frame BSI sensor with Triple Resolution (60, 36 or 18 MP), hybrid autofocus and 8K video.

A Leica Q3 43 with a Formula 1 finish

The Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition is the first camera from the licensing partnership between Leica Camera and Formula 1. Underneath, it is the Leica Q3 43 you may already know. Sensor, lens, autofocus and video are unchanged. What changes is everything you touch: the grip, the thumb rest, the shutter release and the body covering.
The edition was unveiled at the Leica Store and Leica Gallery in Los Angeles, presented by Formula 1 presenter Ariana Bravo and 2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button.
 

Carbon fibre where you hold the camera

Carbon fibre has not traditionally been used on Leica cameras. In motor racing it is the standard material, because it is light and very rigid. On the Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition, genuine carbon fibre sits exactly at the points where you hold and operate the camera: the shell of the wireless charging handgrip, the thumb rest and the inlay of the soft-release button.
All carbon fibre parts are manufactured and tested in Germany. The visible weave catches the light differently as you move the camera, so the texture is something you see as well as feel.
 

Details taken from a racing steering wheel

The body is covered in black Microvelour, a non-slip material with a texture modelled on racing steering wheels. The red accents come from the same source. On a Formula 1 steering wheel, controls are colour-coded so the driver finds them without looking. On the camera, the soft-release button has a red rim and one of the two function buttons on the thumb rest is red as well.
An F1 logo appears on the top plate and on the lens cap. The set includes a rope strap carrying both the Leica and Formula 1 logos, and comes in custom-designed packaging with a red inlay.
 

The 'Formula 1' Leica Look

Leica developed a dedicated 'Formula 1' Look for this camera. It renders images with higher contrast and richer saturation, aimed at the colour and atmosphere of the paddock and the track. The Look is available exclusively on the Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition, via the Leica FOTOS App.
You apply the Look while shooting, so the effect is already visible in the viewfinder instead of appearing only in post-processing. The same app transfers your photos and videos to your phone.
 

Why 43mm suits the paddock

The APO-Summicron 43 f/2 ASPH. gives an angle of view close to how the human eye naturally sees a scene. 43mm is the diagonal of a full-frame sensor: not as wide as the standard Q3's 28mm, and without the compression of a telephoto lens. Around the paddock and the track, that makes it easy to stay close to people and atmosphere without zooming or searching for a framing.
APO stands for apochromatic. The lens brings different wavelengths of light into focus at the same point, which keeps colour fringing low and images sharp at f/2. Its 11 elements in 8 groups include 7 aspherical surfaces. A built-in macro mode brings the minimum focusing distance down to 27cm.
 

Sensor, autofocus and video: the same as the Q3 43

The 60 MP full-frame BSI sensor uses Triple Resolution Technology, so you can choose to record at 60, 36 or 18 megapixels. With that much resolution available, you can also crop digitally to 60, 75, 90 or 120mm equivalents. The hybrid autofocus combines phase detection, contrast AF and subject recognition. Video goes up to 8K at 30p, 4K at 60p and Full HD at 120fps.
The 5.76 MP OLED viewfinder, the tiltable 1.84 MP touchscreen and IP52 protection against dust and light rain all carry over from the Q3 43. The Formula 1 Edition is compatible with Leica Q3 and Q3 43 accessories.
 

Q3 43 or Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition?

If image quality and handling are what matter to you, both cameras perform identically. The Formula 1 Edition adds the carbon fibre handgrip and thumb rest, the red-accented controls, the Microvelour covering, the exclusive 'Formula 1' Look, the branded rope strap and the special packaging. The standard Q3 43 has a dark grey leatherette and no handgrip in the box.
 

Tip from our store

Leica Looks are applied to the JPEG file. Shoot DNG + JPEG and you get the 'Formula 1' rendering straight out of the camera, while keeping a neutral DNG for editing later.
 

What's in the box:

• Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition
• Wireless charging handgrip with carbon fibre shell
• Thumb rest with carbon fibre and red function button
• Rope strap with Leica and Formula 1 logos
• Lithium-ion battery (BP-SCL6)
• USB-C cable
• Lens hood
• Lens cap with F1 logo
• Hot shoe cover
• Quick start guide

Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition — Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the Leica Q3 43 and the Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition?

Only the design and the included accessories. The Formula 1 Edition adds carbon fibre parts, red-accented controls, a Microvelour covering, an F1 logo, a branded rope strap and the exclusive 'Formula 1' Leica Look. Sensor, lens, autofocus and video are identical.

Is the carbon fibre on the Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition real?

Yes. The handgrip shell, thumb rest and soft-release inlay are made from genuine carbon fibre, manufactured and tested in Germany.

What is the 'Formula 1' Leica Look?

A colour rendering with higher contrast and richer saturation, developed for this camera. It is available only on the Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition via the Leica FOTOS App, and is visible in the viewfinder while you shoot.

How much does the Leica Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition cost?

The recommended retail price is €8,500 including VAT. The camera is available from 21 October 2026.

Can I use Leica Q3 accessories with the Formula 1 Edition?

Yes. The Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition is compatible with Leica Q3 and Q3 43 accessories.

Is the Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition weather sealed?

Yes, it is IP52-rated against dust and light spray water, the same as the Q3 and Q3 43.