Leica Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition Costs $9,950, With Carbon Fibre Trim and an F1 Look
The special edition marks the start of a licensing partnership between Leica and Formula 1, and Leica has not said how many will be made.
Leica announced the Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition on October 20, a $9,950 special version of its fixed-lens compact camera that launches a licensing partnership between Leica Camera and Formula 1 (Stock Titan, Leica press release). It is on sale at Leica stores, Leica's online store and specialist retailers.
What is different about this edition
The camera underneath is the standard Leica Q3 43, with a 43mm APO-Summicron f/2 ASPH lens and a full-frame sensor that can shoot at 60, 36 or 18 megapixels. The imaging hardware is unchanged, and at 772g with battery the edition weighs the same as the regular model (Fstoppers).
| Leica Q3 43 Formula 1 Edition | Details |
|---|---|
| Price (US) | $9,950 |
| Lens | APO-Summicron 43mm f/2 ASPH (fixed) |
| Sensor output | 60, 36 or 18MP |
| Weight | 772g with battery |
| Additions | Carbon fibre wireless-charging handgrip, thumb rest, soft release button with carbon inlay, microvelour body, red accents, F1 logos on top plate and lens cap |
| In the box | Co-branded rope strap, presentation packaging with red inlays |
| Exclusive feature | "Formula 1" colour look via the Leica FOTOS app |
| Production run | Not announced |
The one functional difference is the colour look. Leica says the Formula 1 look, a higher-contrast, more saturated rendering, is available only on this camera through its Leica FOTOS app (Amateur Photographer).
Pricing and availability
The $9,950 US price is confirmed on Leica's US store. PetaPixel reported UK and European prices of 7,300 pounds and 8,500 euros; those figures were not confirmed by other outlets. Leica's release gives October 20 as the start of availability, while some outlets say October 21, likely the day orders opened.
Several outlets call the camera a limited edition, but Leica has not said how many units it will build, so do not assume the run is small until Leica confirms it. Against the standard Q3 43's current US price, the F1 Edition costs roughly $2,200 more (CameraDecision).
The bigger story: a licensing partnership
The edition is the first product from a new licensing partnership between Leica and Formula 1, which lets Leica put the series branding on products. Leica has not described any other planned products, so it is too early to say whether this camera is a one-off or the first of several.
Who this is for
At nearly $10,000 for a camera whose optics and sensor match the standard model, the Formula 1 Edition is aimed at collectors and fans of the sport more than at photographers choosing on image quality. The wireless-charging grip and exclusive look add some practical interest, but the premium is mainly for the branding and the finish. Leica has not announced Indian pricing or availability.
What to watch next
A production number, regional prices and ship dates, and any further products under the Formula 1 licence.
