Would you trust your best eSign software to a panda? That’s what the makers of PandaDoc are hoping for, so let’s take a look at one of the best Adobe Sign alternatives online to see what makes it tick.

• You can try PandaDoc by clicking here

PandaDoc: Pricing & plans

• Various subscription tiers, including a generous free one, a bespoke option, and a free trial

PandaDoc is a subscription-based service with four tiers and a free 14-day trial. There’s also a free eSign version free free version which has features other services make you pay for. There are no limits to the number of signatures you can collect, or documents you can send. You can set up a payment system (via credit card, PayPal or ACH) once a document is signed, and also gain access to a mobile app to manage it all on the go.

The cheapest paid subscription is called ‘Essentials’. For $29 a month or $228 a year, you gain additional tools such as the ability to create templates to speed up your work, get real-time tracking of when documents are received, opened and signed, including analytics. You can also create documents and add any kind of media onto them, including images and video, and gain access to round the clock tech support.

‘Business’ is priced at $59 monthly or $588 for the year. With it, you get CRM, Zapier and Salesforce integration, a content library, so you can easily reuse the same media across multiple documents, custom branding, the ability to create forms, and send documents in bulk.

Finally, there's ‘Enterprise', which is a more tailor-made tier, featuring SSO support, team workspaces, notarisation, and API capabilities. A custom tier means a custom price, so if you need more power than what’s available above, you’ll have to contact PandaDoc directly and discuss your requirements with them.

• Pricing & plans: 4/5

PandaDoc: Signatures

• The process of creating or uploading your signature is the same as its competitors - it’s just not as front and centre as the others

Creating an account involves giving PandaDoc your email address, name, phone number, and a handful of details about your business or company. All the usuals, then. You’ll find PandaDoc is much more than an eSignature service. So much so in fact, that unlike many of its competition, it doesn’t even ask you to create your own signature as you set up your account. Instead, you need to find that feature in the ‘Profile settings’.

The process is pretty much the same as any other, as PandaDoc lets you choose from one of four cursive fonts. You can draw directly with your mouse or trackpad (always fun), or upload a signature you already made. One touch of originality: the font and drawn options offer you the choice of black, blue, and red. This is also the section where you can add a stamp, although PandaDoc doesn’t help you create it for you.

• Signatures: 4/5

PandaDoc: Signing documents

• You need to import a file from the document creation section to be able to sign it - it’s a little convoluted, but it works, and it works well

The main focus of PandaDoc is on the creation of documents and templates. But what if you just need to fill in an existing document, sign it, or simply upload it to send to others?

To do so, you need to choose to create a new document by clicking on the big green button top right of the interface, which can admittedly feel a little counterintuitive. This feature lets you create a document from scratch or import an existing one from your computer or from some of the best cloud storage services - Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or Box online storage service.

Once the file is fully uploaded, PandaDoc will analyse and find fields contained within it. Such automatic detection isn’t perfect, but more often than not, it’ll find most of them, taking but minutes to fix the rest. A most welcome timesaver. All the tools you need to add more fields and edit existing ones can be found in the sidebar to the right.

You’re able to invite people to sign the document, or use the online collaboration tools to work together on edits. Once you’re ready, you can send the file to others via email or by copying the link. If you need to sign it yourself, use the signature you set up by clicking on the signature field on your document, and choose ‘Accept and sign’. It’s as simple as that. 

• Signing documents: 4.5/5

PandaDoc: Building templates

• An amazing array of tools at your disposal to create highly complex documents - or truly simple ones of course, depending on your needs

PandaDoc’s biggest asset is the ability to create documents from scratch, rather than uploading pre-existing ones. Those tools we mentioned make this a breeze. You’ve got a few sample documents you could use to get the ball rolling, or start with a blank slate instead. At the very least, those ready-made templates give you an idea of what’s achievable with PandaDoc, and every part of these files remain fully editable, as you’d expect.

And what you have here is one of the best DTP software tools offered by an eSign platform. A vastly powerful page layout designer with all the complexity that entails. You’re just as easily free to add videos, images, and background graphics as you are to build a really simple text document. We really liked that level of flexibility, it offers a lot of uses. 

The sidebar is divided into tabs, organising your tools into categories. There’s plenty going on here, so it’s worth looking at what you can expect to see. 

Content is for general blocks and fillable fields, Recipients determines who gets to fill in and sign the document, and Variables lets you quickly pre-fill forms with data PandaDoc already knows about you and your other recipients. The Content Library is where you’ll find and re-use existing content, Design is for choosing and customising a theme for text formatting. Workflow allows you to monitor document progress from creation to signing and payment), and Apps is where you’ll get (programs designed to ease your workflow, such as sending payment requests or determining profit margins.

During our own tests, we found this to be a fantastic toolkit - comprehensive and easy to use. And if you don’t already have access to dedicated DTP software, it’s great to find one here. Overall, this is one panda that does a lot more than look cute and chew bamboo. 

• Building templates: 4.5/5

DocuSign: Scorecard

Should I buy...?

Buy it if...

You need to sign documents, and create others from scratch with a high level of detail, bring collaborators in, and send them to recipients to fill in, sign, and make payments. 

Don't buy it if...

You only need is a service to sign docs, and have no need for impressive editing tools if the files you work on have already been created elsewhere.

PandaDoc: Alternatives

For alternatives to PandaDoc, check out our DocuSign review, signNow review, and Sign.Plus review. 

Leica Q3: Two-minute review

New compact cameras are a rarity in 2023 because of how good the best camera phones have become, but those that succeed in offering a different user experience to phones (and to the best mirrorless cameras) are still proving popular. The Fujifilm X100V – another contender for the title of best compact camera – is always on backorder, and the Leica Q3 surpasses that camera, for those who can afford it.

In one sense, calling the Q3 a premium compact camera is a stretch, because it's equal in size to a mid-range full-frame mirrorless camera like the Panasonic Lumix S5 II. However, the Q3 is in this category because its lens is built in. And what a lens it is. 

The built-in Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH is my new favorite lens, period. Its exquisite design offers a tactile shooting experience – an attribute that I believe will become increasingly important to help dedicated cameras stand out from the best camera phones instead – but tucked away is access to the camera’s modern features. These include Leica’s best autofocus yet, which reliably tracks human subjects, although its performance is still some way behind the best autofocus systems on the market.

There’s also a first for a Leica camera – a tilt touchscreen. For low-angle shooting and discreet waist-level reportage and documentary photography, the new design is a godsend. The tilt design is poorly implemented – it’s clunky and tricky to pull out, especially if a leather case is in place – but I don’t mind that, because it’s like Leica wants you to keep the screen flush in the body, only offering you the tilt if you really need it. 

Comprehensive upgrades over the Leica Q2 / Leica Q2 Monochrom include a higher-resolution 60.3MP full-frame sensor, which has phase-detection autofocus built in and is capable of recording 8K / 30p videos. This is some top-tier modern tech, in a Leica – a brand that’s commonly perceived as being rather conservative when it comes to embracing the latest innovations. 

That bump in resolution from the Leica Q2’s 47MP offers more cropping potential from the 28mm focal-length lens – indeed, the Q3 has a dedicated digital crop mode that emulates 35mm, 50mm, 75mm and now the 90mm focal length. Combine that crop with the wide f/1.7 aperture and you can get a flattering perspective for portraits. 

The normal focus distance range is 30cm to infinity, but if you engage the macro focusing mode, the range instead covers 17cm up to 30cm. I’ve been able to get some decent looking macro images using the Q3’s minimum 17cm macro focus distance, especially when digitally cropping to 90mm. 

Leica is an exclusive brand, and while the Q3 is much cheaper than a Leica M11 with 28mm lens, it’s still out of reach for most people thanks to its $5,995 / £5,300 / AU$9,790 list price. On the one hand I wish it were cheaper; but on the other perhaps I don’t, because my wallet would be in danger – the Leica Q3 is the most desirable everyday camera I’ve had in my hands. 

Leica Q3: Price and release date

• $5,995 / £5,300 / AU$9,790
• Wireless charging handgrip is an optional extra

Is the Leica Q3 good value? It’s relative: a low-cost Leica doesn’t exist, and the Q3 is the most expensive compact camera available. However, if you compare it to other Leica cameras, especially considering the quality of its design and the features on offer, for me it’s the most compelling red dot camera yet. 

That said, the cost of a Leica doesn’t end with the camera purchase and optional extras are equally extravagant. You’ll probably want a leather case, and the new wireless charging handgrip HG-DC1 costs $195 / £170 / AU$390, though you can probably get away without buying an additional battery or brass-finish thumb grip.

• Price score: 4/5

Leica Q3: Specs

Leica Q3: Design

• Incredible lens
• Minimalist layout and modern controls
• New tilt touchscreen

I could start by listing all the design elements of the Leica Q3, but it’s more appropriate to describe how it feels to use the camera. Put simply, when it’s in the hand the Q3 puts a smile on your face. It’s premium in every way, with a stripped-back layout that while modern and minimalist offers a tactile shooting experience that feels distinctly old-school.

Visually you’re drawn to the Q3’s built-in lens first. It’s adorned with external markings for focus distances and aperture settings, and ridged control rings that presumably are compatible with optional follow focus mechanisms for smooth manual-focus filmmaking. 

All three control rings – the aperture ring, focus ring, and macro focusing ring – are buttery smooth, robust, and have the perfect amount of resistance. Manual focusing is a joy thanks to the grip on the underside of the lens, and I might have let out a little laugh in delight at the macro focus design.

Turn the lens to macro focusing and the lens elements shift to reduce the minimum focus distance from 30cm to 17cm, revealing a new set of external markings for macro focus distances. It’s just a gorgeous bit of design. 

The manual control of the lens feels so good it’s addictive, and beyond the infinity focus marking is a secret weapon – Leica’s best autofocus yet, which is unlocked via a tiny button on that manual focus grip on the underside of the lens. Again, it’s a wonderfully understated design: the Q3 has very capable autofocus, but it encourages manual focusing first. 

All the other controls around the camera are equally high-quality and satisfyingly tactile; the clicked shutter speed dial, the on/off switch with threaded shutter for an (optional) cable release, the pop-up diopter adjustment button for the viewfinder, and the battery release lever with backup lock. 

I love how simple Leica makes the customization of the Q3’s buttons – press and hold a button in until the quick menu appears on screen. The Q3 proves that minimalist camera design can still offer a versatile shooting experience. 

The Q3 could be a more comfortable camera to hold. There’s no grip to speak of as such, just a curved indentation for your thumb. It’s fine for light use, but over longer periods you may wish for a chunkier handgrip, and Leica offers one in the shape of the optional HG-DC1.

Both the viewfinder and touchscreen have received a bump in resolution, with the viewfinder now sporting a decent 5.76m-dot resolution and 120fps refresh rate. The on-screen touch function feels slick, and the quick touch menu navigates sensibly, with sliders for exposure controls such as ISO that includes an auto ISO shortcut. 

I have mixed feelings about the new tilt design of the touchscreen. As mentioned, it’s poorly implemented, sticking out from the body and being outright tricky to grip and pull out. It also sits flush inside a leather case, making it impossible to grip from its underside. 

Still, it would transform the shooting experience for street photography, right? Well, not for me. Somehow I didn’t find myself naturally wanting to shoot from the hip with the Q3, and if I did it was more discreet to keep the screen tucked away anyway. However, design aside, the tilt design is super-useful for other scenarios like macro photography.

After years of using the latest and greatest cameras, I’ve come to appreciate how important it is to enjoy the experience; only then will you naturally and consistently want to pick a camera up. If I owned a Leica Q3, it would be at my side at every opportunity.

• Design score: 5/5

Leica Q3: Features & performance

• Single SD UHS-II card slot only
• Phase detection autofocus is Leica’s best yet
• Image stabilization is only okay

There are some mightily impressive and possibly over-the-top features in the Leica Q3, but in reality many of the headline features are for light use only. Take the top continuous shooting speed of 15fps. This is only available when using the electronic shutter, where you’ll notice rolling shutter in fast moving subjects, and focus is locked to the first frame. 

For optimum performance, using the mechanical shutter (which avoids rolling shutter) and with continuous autofocus, you’re limited to 4fps, which is the more practical setting, and the one I kept the Q3 on for the majority of this review. 

I ran a few tests to check how robust the buffer is for high-speed shooting, taking 15fps bursts for as long as the Q3 would allow recording to a flagship UHS-II memory card. Raw + JPEG sequences were limited to 22 frames, while JPEG bursts topped out at 40 frames. 

Recording the highest available quality 4K 60p All-I video continuously to that same memory card saw recording stop after 2.5 minutes, which appeared to be the card’s limit for a single take. The Q3 can also record internally to an external SSD connected via the USB-C port for extended recording times. 

Image stabilization is an important feature in a high-resolution camera like the Q3 because it minimizes the adverse impact of camera shake on photo quality and determines just how watchable handheld videos are. The Q3’s lens-based stabilization for photos can’t match the more effective in-body image stabilization found elsewhere in other high-end cameras. The minimum shutter speed at which I could consistently get sharp handheld shots was around 1/15 sec, while electronic stabilization for video is only okay. 

The Q3 is equipped with Leica’s fastest and most accurate phase-detection autofocus to date. Human tracking autofocus is for the most part sticky, and generally results in sharp focus on subjects. The hit rate for sharp focus on the eyes in shallow depth of field closeup portraits was decent too – numerous other autofocus systems miss the mark more often, and focus on eyebrows instead of eyes, but the Q3 is a solid performer. Animal lovers are likely to be disappointed by the animal tracking autofocus performance, though, which is less reliable than human autofocus. 

So, despite some killer-looking features, the Q3 is not a heavy-use or action camera, but an everyday companion.

• Features and performance score: 4/5

Leica Q3: Image and video quality

• Super-sharp wide-angle fixed lens
• Class-leading sensor resolution gives lots of cropping potential
• Lovely Leica DNG raw file colors

If you’re going to be reliant on a single lens, it might as well be the divine Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH, which is one of the best multi-purpose everyday optics available. 

Its uncropped 28mm field of view is similar to that of a smartphone’s main camera, while paired with the 60.3MP sensor, the Q3 has a maximum 3x digital crop (approx) that emulates the 90mm focal length and has a respectable 6MP resolution. 

The digital crop doesn’t change depth of field and perspective, but using it as a framing guide can in turn affect the physical distance you choose from your subject, which then does affect those things. For example, 28mm is not a flattering focal length for portraits, but if you choose the 75mm digital crop you can then move further away from your subject, which produces a more flattering perspective. 

I’ve been able to get some decent telephoto-looking wildlife photos with the digital crop set to 90mm paired with the maximum f/1.7 aperture. The Q3 offers a sensible digital crop backup: if you shoot in raw format, that digital crop is only a guide (and remains a guide in editing software), and only when you select the editor’s crop tool is the entire image area is revealed, and can be recovered. If you shoot digital crops in JPEG only, the full image area cannot be recovered.

I’ve shot almost all the images for this review in both Leica’s DNG raw format and JPEG format simultaneously. Raw files are compatible with all raw photo editors, and when editing with Adobe CC photo editors like Lightroom or Camera Raw, colors are vibrant and true to life. I’m a big fan of Leica DNG colors. 

If you leave the Q3’s in-camera JPEG processing to its standard setting, colors are usually muted compared to raw files, and in general show an ever so slight yellow tinge. That said, standard JPEG processing often reveals greater visible dynamic range and always a notably sharper image, so it’s sensible to record both file formats simultaneously. 

Selecting macro mode changes the maximum aperture from f/1.7 to f/2.8, and is a nice bonus to the lens, expanding its versatility. The Q3 can also shoot extremely sharp 8K video, provided there’s not too much camera movement. 

In low light where it’s necessary to bump ISO, I’ve been happy to use up to ISO 6,400 where detail still looks pretty clean, despite the presence of image noise that appears like a fine grain.   

• Image and video quality score: 5/5 

Should you buy the Leica Q3?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Leica Q3: Also consider

If you’re looking for alternative premium compact options, here are two cameras to consider… 

How I tested the Leica Q3

• Seven days of moderate use
• Numerous everyday scenarios 

I had the Leica Q3 for around a week, and it was with me for most of that time. I’ve pulled it out to grab snapshots of my family, it’s accompanied me on city walks during the day and night, and I’ve also used it to explore the natural landscape, macro and wildlife worlds. Put simply, I’ve done all manner of everyday photography with it.

I’ve made sure to use both the Q3’s manual and automatic features extensively – regularly switching between manual focus and the new phase-detection autofocus with human and animal detection. I’ve composed images using the tilt touchscreen and improved EVF, and tried different shutter speeds to see how effective the image stabilization is.

Finally, I’ve shot photos and video sequences at length to see how robust the buffer performance is, if any overheating occurs, and how durable the battery life is. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2023

60-second review

The InnoCN 48Q1V is undoubtedly one of the best business monitors available in the market, but it may not be feasible for everyone due to its requirements. Nonetheless, if you have ample physical desk space, a powerful computer, and compatible applications, you'll be rewarded with an unparalleled visual experience that sets the standard for monitors. Despite facing stiff competition from other alternatives such as OLED TVs and reasonably priced 48-inch monitors like the Gigabyte Aorus FO48U, the InnoCN 48Q1V remains one of the best business monitors out there.

Pricing and Availability

The suggested retail price for the 48Q1V is $1499.99, but Amazon sells it right now for $1299.99, and you get a free 13.3-inch portable OLED monitor, the 13K1F. You can buy the monitor on Amazon Germany and Amazon France, although availability was patchy at the time of writing. Unfortunately, no luck for potential UK-based customers; InnoCN confirmed that the 48Q1V should be listed on its website imminently. The TV is covered by a a one-year (365 days) warranty service, which is paltry compared to some competitors.

Design

The first thing you will notice with this screen is how big it is: a 48-inch monitor is just about the maximum an average person can assemble; once completed, it measures around 107 x 75 x 26cm, the latter measurement accounting for the base. 

Fortunately, InnoCN made it simple with an easy-to-assemble stand and socle, limited vertical tilt movement (up to 15 degrees), and no height adjustment/swivel, which is unsurprising given its size. The power supply unit is integrated, so there is no separate power brick to carry over.

InnoCN says that all monitors should come with a 200x200 VESA mount, but I couldn’t find mine, which is a minor annoyance, especially if you didn’t plan to use it.

There are two 14-inch strips of multi-colored LED lights on each side of the display that sync with the content on the screen to significant effect, similar to Philips’ Ambilight; shame that there are no lights on the top and bottom edges to provide more excellent immersive experience. These can be tweaked via the OSD (onscreen display) and synced with audio or video.

The bezel on OLED displays tends to be very thin, and this is the case for the 48Q1V for the top and side ones, whereas the bottom bezel transforms into a mini soundbar, the presence of which may divide opinions given that it clashes with the minimalist aesthetics of the display; behind the gray fabric are hidden three speakers. Note that there’s an actual switch on the right-hand side of the bezel; functional if you don’t have the remote around and want to switch off the monitor.

The 48Q1V is sturdily built, given its size, with no apparent aesthetic or design flaws: Metal and glass are the primary materials used. However, we’d expect better when it comes to the remote control.

Features

One of the headline features of the InnoCN is its 138Hz refresh rate which is particularly useful for gaming, where fluidity and responsiveness are as crucial as screen resolution and image quality. Also on the checklist is support for AMD’s Freesync technology, a 1ms response time plus a 178-degree viewing angle.

When it comes to connectors, the 48Q1V offers a full-size DisplayPort 1.4 connector, three HDMI 2.1 ports (none of which support Arc), a USB Type-C connector, three HDMI 2.1 connectors, and audio out should you want to connect your headset. 

A few things to note: the connectors are rear-facing rather than down-facing; why does it matter? Because it makes wall mounting a bit more complicated. There are also no fat USB ports, so if you want to plug in an Amazon Firestick, you must have an accessible power socket nearby. 

I half-expected InnoCN to drop in KVM or docking station functionality to add to its productivity credentials; both are sadly missing. Yes, you can power your laptop (up to 65W power delivery) using the Type-C connector, but you would still need to use standard USB ports on the host client to get things done. 

You cannot connect any peripherals to it. Still, since it offers PiP/PbP (picture in picture, picture by picture), you can connect two devices (PC, smartphone, tablet, etc.) and use them simultaneously, a boon for multi-tasking or productivity use cases.

There’s no wireless technology built-in: no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or screencasting; this is not an intelligent monitor, so there is no Google Assistant or other intelligent assistant. On the one hand, that’s a valid strategy as it removes the need for software support which can be a pain, especially after the first year of ownership (hello security updates). On the other hand, InnoCN could easily offer it as a freebie; a Fire TV stick 4K costs only around $30.

Performance

For a detailed analysis of how an OLED monitor differs from a traditional LCD one, check out the excellent article written by our TechRadar colleagues on the matter. The InnoCN is a perfect example of how a properly tuned OLED can deliver best-in-class visual performance under the right conditions. A test sample of different use cases (movie, productivity, etc.) highlighted the salient features of the 48Q1V.

Thanks to the LG panel, the display produced true blacks (as the pixels get switched off), rather than the washout gray that we’re accustomed to with LCD, as well as more prosperous, more vibrant colors, something that creatives (as well as film aficionado) will appreciate. As a side note, InnoCN 48Q1V provides individual profile (or color calibration report) pages for each monitor; every single one, it claims, achieves a 100% sRGB color gamut coverage and 98.5% for the more demanding DCI-P3 one, the golden standard for anyone serious about finding the best monitor for video editing or the best monitor for photo editing.

Perfect blacks also mean a higher contrast ratio, translating into a more vivid and lifelike experience; you get more details and uniform lighting across the entire display without the risk of bleeding associated with other non-OLED shows.

I am a casual gamer (think Nintendo Switch), so I didn’t push the display to its limits with fast-paced, high-adrenaline games, but its 138 Hz refresh rate should reduce any blur and tear, assuming that the client PC supports that.

As for the sound, the 2.1 system hidden under the fabric (two 10W drivers and a 20W bass) delivers some surprisingly good aural experience that I haven’t experienced on any other traditional PC monitor. Could it be the best audio I’ve heard from a PC display? Probably. Using the 48Q1V as a day-to-day display means that you will sit much closer to it and experience audio delivery differently than if you were seated on a couch a couple of meters away. I couldn’t detect any distortion regardless of the volume in my limited, non-scientific testing (a wide range of Youtube video content).

A few words on the remote control: it is one of the weaker points of this product. It is poorly constructed (with cheap plastic) and poorly designed: the volume up is on the left side, which is counterintuitive and against basic conventions. It offers limited functionality and requires you to point to the bottom left of the screen to get it to work correctly.

Last but not least, the OSD (On Screen Display) feature was complete and complex, more prosperous than most OSDs I’ve encountered before, thanks to its extra features. You can only access it via the remote control, and despite having a few quirks, it was a relatively straightforward experience.

Should you buy the InnoCN 48Q1V?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also Consider

The first obvious choice is the Gigabyte Aorus FO48U, one of the first 48-inch OLED monitors launched in 2021. Our sister publication Tomshardware gave it an outstanding rating (9/10), saying the OLED panel is unmatched. Its contrast and color are stunning, and it has a KVM switch. Back then, it retailed for $1,499. Right now, it almost costs half that.

Then there’s also the popular LG C2, a TV rather than a monitor. It is far cheaper, often selling for less than $1,000, and is a smart TV. It doesn’t have PiP, power delivery, fast refresh rate, or ports the 48Q1V offers. On the plus side, though, being a TV, you can get even bigger panels should you want to.

Other 48-inch OLED displays include the Acer Predator CG48, the LG 48GQ900-B Ultragear, the BenQ MOBIUZ EX480UZ, and the ASUS ROG Swift PG48UQ. Like the 48Q1V, they all use an LG panel but cost closer to $1,500.

• Looking for a desk to put your monitor on? Check out our guide to the best standing desk