Concept: A no-compromises, full-frame Leica built specifically for overlanders, expedition photographers, and anyone who refuses to leave their photography gear behind when the tarmac ends.
Think Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato, but distilled into a camera: same DNA as the standard Q3 (60MP sensor, 28mm f/1.7 Summilux, Maestro IV processor), but completely re-engineered for dust, mud, vibration, -20°C nights in the desert, and 40°C days in the jungle.
Exterior Design – Pure Rally Vibe
- Body color options:
– “Terra Matte” (deep military olive green with black ceramic coating)
– “Arancio Sterrato” (burnt Lamborghini orange with matte clearcoat)
– “Grigio Lynx (satin gunmetal) - Leica red dot is raised, anodized red aluminum, slightly proud of the body like a rally number plate.
- All edges are protected by thick, replaceable rubber-armor bumpers in black or sand color (they screw off if you want the clean look back at camp).
- Top plate has integrated “roof rails” – two machined aluminum bars with multiple 1/4-20 and ARRI-style locating pins for mounting LED light bars, Rode Wireless GO, Insta360 modules, or even a tiny Pelican case for spare batteries.
- Bottom has a titanium skid plate with drainage channels and GoPro-style fingers for direct mounting to roof racks, roll cages, or motorcycle handlebars without any adapter.
Ruggedness Specs (Real, Not Marketing BS)
- IP68 (submersible 3m for 60 min – yes, you can rinse the Sahara dust off under a tap)
- Drop-tested to 2.5 m onto concrete (with bumpers installed)
- Operating temperature –20°C to +50°C
- Sensor dust cleaning now uses a stronger ultrasonic system + physical shutter curtain that closes when lens cap is on (no more dust spots after 10,000 km of corrugated roads).
Overland-Specific Upgrades
- Battery: Dual BLX-1 batteries (same as OM-1) in a new extended grip → 1,100 shots per charge or 4–5 days of heavy use without charging. Grip has a built-in 10,000 mAh power bank output (USB-C PD 45W) so it can charge your phone or Starlink Mini when the camera is off.
- Optional solar lid: carbon-fiber top plate that swaps in 60 seconds and adds 100–150 shots per day of direct sun (perfect for roof-rack mounting).
- Lens: Same APO-Summilux 28mm f/1.7, but now with a built-in, tool-free drop-in protective filter (clear or ND) that lives inside the “rally hood” – a square aluminum hood with carbon slats that looks badass and stops rocks/roost from hitting the front element.
- New “Overland Mode”: one-button activation that sets:
– IBIS to Max Performance (8.5 stops custom-tuned for vibration)
– Auto ISO ceiling 25,600 with stronger noise reduction
– GPS + GLONASS + Galileo logging at 1 Hz (full GPX tracklog embedded in every file)
– Intervalometer preset for 10-second timelapses (sunset to stars in one click)
– Electronic shutter only (silent for wildlife camps).
Extra Touches That Make It Feel Special
- Strap lugs accept 50 mm wide expedition straps (Peak Design, Think Tank, or custom leather).
- Hotshoe has weather-sealed auxiliary power pins – plug in the optional “Rally Light Bar” (two 1000-lumen LEDs with red night-vision mode).
- Engraved top plate: “Q3 TERRA – 1 of 999 (limited run, because Leica).
- Comes in a Pelican 1500 case with laser-cut foam that has space for two spare batteries, solar lid, rally light bar, and a bottle opener (because overlanding).
Price? If Leica actually built this tomorrow it would be €9,800–10,500 depending on color. Worth every euro when you’re on a pan in Botswana at magic hour and your camera isn’t fogged, dusty, or dead.
Want me to generate proper renderings of this exact spec (Terra Matte + roof rails + skid plate + orange version)? I can do photorealistic images in a couple minutes. Just say the word.