The Leica Q3 Monochrom is a 60MP full-frame monochrom camera that features a single memory card slot that is compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II / UHS-I) memory cards.
When shooting movies the Leica Q3 Monochrom is capable of recording at bitrates of up to 600 Mbps depending on the recording format. This is around 75 MB/s so you'll want to use an SDXC UHS-II card that is V90 rated to fully utilize its video capabilities.
We would recommend the faster UHS-II SDXC memory cards if you wish to shoot continuous bursts. We also recommend formatting these in-camera before first use.
Recommended UHS-II SDXC Cards for Photographers & Videographers
Our top 10 recommended UHS-II SDXC cards based on speed and reliability for the Leica Q3 Monochrom camera are:
| UHS-II Card | Max Write Speed | Max Read Speed | Video Speed Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delkin Devices BLACK | 250 MB/s | 300 MB/s | V90 |
| Delkin Devices Power | 250 MB/s | 300 MB/s | V90 |
| Angelbird AV PRO SD (MK2) | 280 MB/s | 300 MB/s | V90 |
| Nextorage NX-F2PRO | 299 MB/s | 300 MB/s | V90 |
| SanDisk Extreme Pro | 300 MB/s | 300 MB/s | V90 |
| Sony SF-G Tough | 299 MB/s | 300 MB/s | V90 |
| Lexar Professional GOLD 2000X | 260 MB/s | 300 MB/s | V90 |
| OWC Atlas Ultra | 250 MB/s | 300 MB/s | V90 |
| Lexar Professional GOLD 1800x | 210 MB/s | 280 MB/s | V60 |
| Nextorage NX-F2SE Series | 100 MB/s | 280 MB/s | V60 |
FAQs
How many images can be stored on a 256GB card?
The Leica Q3 Monochrom can store approximately 3650 L-DNG images or 4250 L-JPG images on a 256GB card.
How many minutes of video can be recorded on a 256GB card?
When recording in 4k 60fps at 600 Mbps you will be able to record approximately 56 minutes of video with the Leica Q3 Monochrom and a 256GB memory card.
Is there a maximum record length for video?
Yes. The Leica Q3 Monochrom has a maximum single video recording length of 29 minutes.
Is a V90 rated UHS-II SDXC card required for video?
You will need a V90 rated card if you are shooting with a biterate of 600 Mbps. For 400 Mbps and lower a V60 card would be fine.
Are CFexpress Type B cards supported?
No. The Leica Q3 Monochrom only supports SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I / UHS-II) memory cards. CFexpress Type B cards will not physically fit the camera.
What is the difference between UHS-I and UHS-II memory cards?
UHS-II offers much faster speeds (up to 312 MB/s) compared to UHS-I (up to 104 MB/s). This is possible via a second row of pins and two data lanes for simultaneous upstream and downstream data transfer. The extra row of pins are visible on the back of UHS-II cards. Both card types are backward compatible, but a UHS-II card will only operate at UHS-I speeds in a camera that only supports UHS-I cards.
What is the difference between SDHC and SDXC memory cards?
SDHC cards are formatted using the FAT32 file system which is limited to a maximum file size of 4GB. So when recording video clips, the clip will be split every 4 GB but playback with the camera will be seamless. SDXC cards use the exFAT file system which supports a maximum file size of 16 exabytes (EB), so video clips will not be split. SDHC cards support capacities of between 4-32GB and SDXC cards support 64GB-2TB.
Where can you find the Leica Q3 Monochrom specifications?
Full specifications for the Leica Q3 Monochrom can be found on Leica's website.
