Leica’s SL3-S is its newest camera, an upgrade of its pro-grade full-frame system
Leica has announced its latest mirrorless camera, which is officially “the fastest Leica system camera ever built”.The full frame Leica SL3-S the sister model to last year’s resolution powerhouse, the Leica SL3. But where its bigger brother is all about the muscle, the Leica SL3-S is a more refined camera that doubles down on speed.
The SL3-S boasts a brand new, back-side illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor. Its native resolution is 24.6MP, but it can produce 48MP and 96MP photographs via the magic of pixel shift multi-shot.
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But where the SL3 with its 60mp sensor is mainly for still photography, the SL3-S is optimized for speed: its 24mp sensor can shoot video at 6K with 12-bit raw footage, and it can capture stills at up to 30fps with continuously tracking autofocus.The SL3-S’s newfound video chops mean it supports open-gate 6K (5952 x 3968 resolution) recording of its full 3:2 sensor at up to 30fps, or up to 60fps in 4K, and it can record directly to an SSD via USB-C connection.
The SL3-S also has a small joystick to navigate menus and manipulate the active focus area, plus a simple set of Play, Fn, and Menu buttons on the rear. It includes a monochrome OLED display on the top plate that shows exposure information, a feature that’s not included on many mirrorless cameras.
While it doesn’t have an especially high-resolution sensor for stills, it makes up for that with speed and focusing ability. The SL3-S has 779 phase-detect autofocus points, more than double the SL3’s 315 points. It also has improved object detection and tracking focus, and it shoots fast enough to enable 48- and 96-megapixel high-res multi-shot composites without a tripod.
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The camera body uses magnesium alloy and aluminum components finished in black, and is wrapped in a textured black leatherette. Most full-frame cameras advertise some level of dust and splash protection, but Leica goes further than others and obtained IP54 certification for protection against dust and moisture ingress. You’ll need to make sure to use a sealed lens when using the camera in rough weather.
Leica’s SL mirrorless line is sealed, but the camera also works with L-mount lenses from Panasonic Lumix, Sigma, and third parties like Venus Laowa, and not all of those are fully protected from the elements.
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The camera body’s gently sloping lines and rounded handgrip make it comfortable to handhold. Leica eschews a sculpted indentation for the grip, however, instead opting for a shallower interior that creates a ledge and trough in which to rest your fingers and grab onto the camera. It doesn’t feel quite as secure in one hand as a grip with a finger rest, but is fine with lighter lenses.