New Leica Q3-Series Firmware Update

credits: Leica

Leica has released firmware version 4.1 for the Q3, Q3 Monochrom, and Q3 43, with the update mostly focusing on autofocus behaviour, playback improvements, and a few smaller workflow fixes. Compared to some of Leica’s bigger firmware releases, this one is more about refining how the cameras behave during everyday use rather than adding major new features.

One of the biggest changes is in playback mode, where portrait-oriented photos will now display properly in full-screen view instead of appearing smaller inside the frame. Leica has also added a new setting that limits focus peaking so it only activates when manually focusing with the MF ring, which should make the display feel a bit cleaner during autofocus shooting. The currently selected autofocus mode is now also shown directly in the top status bar, making it easier to quickly check AF settings while shooting.

Autofocus tracking behaviour has also been adjusted slightly. The tracking frame now changes colour depending on detection status, with green indicators showing confirmed focus, while subject tracking itself stays inactive until the camera actually detects a person or animal. Leica has also removed the warning message that previously appeared when powering on the camera with a BP-SCL4 battery installed. Leica updated the colour matrices embedded in DNG files as well, which should improve colour rendering in third-party editing software that uses those embedded profiles. The update also fixes a bug that could occasionally freeze the cameras when switching between profiles with different Leica FOTOS connection settings enabled. Firmware 4.1 is available through Leica’s download section and can be installed either through the Leica FOTOS app or directly via SD card.

You can download the update on Leica’s website here