Introduction
The Leica SL3 (Kind 5404) is a 35mm full-frame interchangeable lens mirrorless digicam designed to enchantment to each stills photographers and videographers. It includes a a 60.3 megapixel CMOS sensor with no optical low go filter, the latest-generation Maestro IV picture processor, C8K/30p, C4K/60p and 1080/120p video recording, a brand new hybrid section, object and distinction detection AF system with clever topic recognition together with animals, and steady taking pictures as much as 15fps. This new mannequin for 2024 additionally presents an expanded sensitivity vary of ISO 50-100,000, prolonged battery life, a 5.76m-dot OLED digital viewfinder with 120fps refresh charge and 0.76x magnification, a tilting 3.2”, 2.33m-dot touchscreen LCD display, and a 1.28” high show LCD. It moreover presents an IP54-rated weather-sealed magnesium-alloy development, in-body picture stabilisation value as much as 5 stops of compensation, wi-fi, Bluetooth and GPS connectivity, and twin UHS-II SD and CFexpress sort B reminiscence card slots. The really useful retail worth of the Leica SL3 is £5,920 within the UK and it’s obtainable in black. It’s designed and made in Germany.
Ease of Use
The Leica SL3 makes use of precisely the identical 60 megapixel full-frame BSI (BackSide-Illuminated) CMOS sensor that was initially developed for the flagship M11 rangefinder digicam, which presents a 21% improve on the decision supplied by 2019’s 47.3 megapixel SL2 mannequin.
Together with the newest technology Maestro IV picture processor, this permits the Sl3 to output 14-bit RAW information with a claimed dynamic vary of as much as 15 stops, present an intensive ISO vary of 50-100,000, and shoot 60 megapixel photographs at 5fps with steady AF/AE.
It additionally has a particular IR + UV reduce filter in entrance of the sensor which corrects even essentially the most indirect rays of incident gentle and a brand new color filter array that provides extra pure color replica than earlier SL-system cameras.
While 60 megapixels will undoubtedly be an enormous draw for potential house owners of this digicam, Leica have additionally sensibly supplied two smaller 36 and 18 megapixel modes which assist keep away from a few of the processing and storage challenges of the the 60 megapixel mode whereas additionally boosting the burst taking pictures buffer occasions.
So the SL3 will be set to document 60, 36 or 18 megapixel DNG Uncooked photographs with 14-bit shade and 15-stop dynamic vary utilizing the complete sensor space, one thing that Leica have dubbed “Triple Decision Expertise”.
Auto-focusing on this new SL-series digicam has taken an enormous leap forwards, because it now incorporates a hybrid AF system that features section detection in addition to distinction detection pixels., offering larger pace and higher precision when focusing and monitoring objects.
Apparently, it moreover employs Panasonic’s object-based depth from defocus system to construct up a depth map of the scene to additional improve the AF.
The AF Modes embody Spot / Discipline / Multi-Discipline / Zone / Monitoring /Eye-, Face-Physique-Detection / Eye-, Face-, Physique-, Animal-Detection – we’re nonetheless unsure why animal detection is not separate?
In one other first for the SL-series, the SL3 advantages enormously from the addition of clever topic recognition. It is a fairly easy system by fashionable requirements that solely recognises the eyes, faces and our bodies of individuals plus animals, however at the least it is a good begin that works nicely in observe.
Leica digicam have by no means been notably famend for his or her blistering steady taking pictures charges, and the SL3 is definitely no exception to that rule.
Whereas on paper it presents as much as 15fps bursts, the fact is that the main target and publicity are locked on the first body till you drop right down to a somewhat extra pedestrian 5fps, which is somewhat disappointing when some equally priced mirrorless cameras can shoot at comparable pace with AF/AE.
The buffer is 90 pictures at 5fps for DNG RAW, although, so you possibly can at the least shoot for a very long time earlier than that charge slows down.
The SL3 has each a mechanical shutter that gives speeds between 60min to 1/8000sec and an digital shutter that runs from 60sec to 1/16000sec, with a Hybrid choice additionally obtainable that mechanically switches between them. Flash synchronization is on the market as much as 1/200sec.
It is necessary to notice that this digicam doesn’t have the particular multishot mode discovered on the earlier SL2 and SL2-S fashions, which was undoubtedly an ideal characteristic for detail-hungry still-life and panorama photographers.
Leica informed us that the brand new sensor makes it tough to help this characteristic, and it’ll solely be applied if buyer suggestions calls for it by way of a potential future firmware replace – so begin petitioning them now!
This is not only a digicam for stills, as Leica have included 8K video recording for the second time ever on any of their fashions, following on from final yr’s Q3 digicam.
DCI 8K recording is supported at as much as 30p with 4:2:0 10-bit shade when recording internally or at 8-bit when recording externally by way of the full-size HDMI 2.1 Kind A port.
In case you solely want 4K recording, that is supplied at as much as 60p with 4:2:2 10-bit shade internally or externally, whereas Full HD runs as much as 120p for gradual movement playback.
Different key video options embody ProRes recording at 1080/60p, Leica’s L-Log profile, LUT compatibility, a 3.5mm stereo jack microphone socket and a devoted timecode interface.
The 40MB/s wi-fi knowledge switch is as much as 10x sooner than the earlier SL2, which does not sound notably astonishing till you realise {that a} full decision 60-megapixel DNG file will be transferred to the Leica FOTOS app in a mere 2 seconds!
In case you choose a wired connection, there is a new Leica cable obtainable that is 3x sooner than the earlier model, which signifies that it takes lower than 1 second to switch a 60mp DNG file.
Commendably you may also now use any USB-C cable with Android and newer iOS units – you don’t want to make use of the Leica one – however be sure to make use of a USB 3 model.
The brand new USB-C port can be utilized to cost the digicam by way of a powerbank, helpful for extending the battery life when out and about. Speaking of which, the SL3 makes use of a brand new battery, the 2200mAh BP-SCL6, which has a CIPA-rated lifespan of 260 pictures per cost.
The SL3 can be nonetheless suitable with the BP-SCL4 battery that was used within the SL2, though the digicam would not help larger burst taking pictures charges than 2fps and video recording is proscribed to full HD.
The superb digital viewfinder is strictly the identical because the one discovered on the earlier SL2, with 5.76 megapixels of decision, 0.76x magnification and both a battery-conserving 60fps or a easy 120fps refresh charge for extra real looking movement rendering.
One other necessary characteristic that first made it is debut on the Q3 however which we have not seen earlier than on an SL-series Leica digicam is the newly tilting 3-inch LCD touchscreen.
This will now be moved each upwards and downwards to swimsuit working from a wide range of taking pictures positions, somewhat than mounted in place as on the earlier SL fashions, which makes waist-level and overhead taking pictures a lot simpler.
The decision has additionally been elevated barely from 2.1M dots on the SL2 to 2.33M dots on the SL3.
The brand new display does somewhat spoil the in any other case refined aesthetics of the SL3, nonetheless, because it juts out from the rear of the digicam, interrupting the sleek strains. Nonetheless, that is in the beginning a photographic software, somewhat than an costly decoration, so we are able to maybe overlook this slight faux-pas on Leica’s half.
It has additionally necessitated a restructuring of the controls on the rear of the digicam. As an alternative of the vertical row of three buttons to the left of the LCD display, as per the SL2, the Play, Perform and Menu buttons have been moved to the suitable of the display.
A brand new Leica Look makes its debut on the SL3 – Leica Everlasting (ETN) – which joins the 5 different current Appears to be like and supplies extra distinction and saturation. You’ll be able to see examples of all of them within the Picture High quality part.
The Leica SL3 is one other extremely strong, black-bodied digicam that’s hand-made in Wetzlar, Germany. This new model is just a little lighter and extra compact than its predecessors, although, weighing in at 769g with out a battery versus 838g for the SL2, and measuring 5.2mm narrower and three.0mm shorter than the SL2.
It is outfitted with Leica’s L-mount, which permits round 150 totally different lenses to be utilised, in case you put money into particular adapters. Leica have 15 lenses L-mount lenses starting from from 14mm to 560mm, with 84 native lenses obtainable within the L-mount alliance from the likes of Sigma and Panasonic.
It needs to be mentioned upfront that the SL3 shouldn’t be essentially the most transportable choice ever. That is partly as a result of it’s been common from two strong items of aluminium with a central magnesium alloy portion sandwiched in its midst – so we had been very grateful for the padded strap that is provided within the field.
Whereas the rock-solid construct high quality may be very reassuring, it’s not the best journey digicam for lugging round for a whole day on a metropolis break, particularly with a bag filled with L-mount lenses as nicely.
We’re informed that the SL3 is each mud and water-proof to the extent of being IP54 rated, so it could apparently face up to water spray from each path however falls in need of being absolutely waterproof.
The SL3 has a -10 to +40 temperature assure, however Leica informed us that it could work in a lot colder/hotter temps too (-40 to +70).
Although we have questioned the sheer heft of the digicam, the robustness of the construct high quality is so reassuringly strong that, offering the interior electronics maintain up, the SL3 may certainly final years of use – which we’d definitely need it to at this worth.
The handgrip is sufficiently big to wrap 4 fingers round, whereas your thumb mechanically brushes up in opposition to the management dial – or as Leica refers to it, ‘click on wheel’ – which is peeking out on the again.
In case you’re in search of a taking pictures mode dial, then chances are you’ll be considerably confused, as a result of the SL3 would not have one. As an alternative it’s a must to press the press wheel in after which scroll by the same old PASM choices to vary the taking pictures mode.
The truth that the SL3 options a big postage stamp sized top-plate standing show window is an actual plus in operation. It’s actually useful in not being distracted by having to in any other case refer again to the bigger display on the rear of the digicam, and thus take your eye off your topic for even longer.
Over on the left of the top-plate sees the addition of a second unmarked management dial which by default units the ISO pace, making it even simpler than earlier than to manage the important thing publicity settings.
One of many different huge adjustments on this now mannequin in contrast with its predecessor is the adoption of a push-button On/Off management instead of the SL2’s extra typical change.
Not solely do you now push a button to show the digicam on somewhat than transfer a change, it additionally has a two-part operation when the digicam is on, the place an extended press turns it off and a short-press prompts the standby mode, rushing up entry to the digicam with out adversely affecting the battery life.
There’s additionally a standing ring across the energy button which is illuminated blue to point that the digicam is turned on and flashes inexperienced when the battery is being recharged. Quite cleverly, once you maintain the digicam as much as your eye, the illuminated ring is mechanically turned off in order that it would not distract you in any manner.
The SL3 is a really customisable digicam, with no fewer than 8 software program buttons, 6 {hardware} buttons and three dials that may be configured to fit your explicit manner of working, to not point out the 6 consumer profiles for stills and 6 extra for video which can be obtainable.
Cleverly, a purple shade code for photograph and yellow for video is used all through the interface to obviously delineate every taking pictures mode.
Leica make the daring declare which you can setup the digicam and by no means have to make use of the principle menu, one thing that we discovered to be largely true as soon as you have initially setup the digicam and ironed out any operational kinks.
Leica have spent the final 2 years engaged on a brand new digital UI which makes its debut on the SL3. Specializing in the important parts, there are actually 5 menu gadgets somewhat than 6 and eight standing display/management heart tiles somewhat than 12, with a measurement adjustment improve by 15%, all in response to buyer suggestions.
The digital interface has additionally seen a whole icon redesign, with a model new household of clearer “Leicons” supposed to be clearer and extra cohesive than the earlier icon set. Leica say that each icon and each structure has been refined to reinforce the general consumer expertise.
Additional usability enhancements embody a a number of delete choice, the flexibility to customise on-screen icons throughout reside view, new Quickaccess features throughout reside view so that you simply don’t want to enter the menu, optimized contact management with gestures, and a UI that mechanically tilts from panorama to portrait once you change the orientation of the digicam.
Leica have additionally signalled that the brand new UI can be rolled out on future cameras and different Leica divisions, though beforehand launched cameras in all probability will not profit from it as that will require a model new firmware model.
New equipment embody a hand-grip with leather-based wrist-strap (Multifunctional Handgrip HG-SCL7), an Elk leather-based carrying strap that’s simpler to make use of than Peak Design, a twin battery charger outfitted with USB-C, and a DC coupler which will be inserted into the digicam’s battery slot to make sure a steady energy provide by way of USB-C.
Picture High quality
The entire pattern photographs on this assessment had been taken utilizing the 60 megapixel JPEG setting, which leads to a median picture measurement of round 31Mb.
The SL3 digicam produces noise-free JPEG photographs from ISO 50 all the way in which as much as ISO 3200, with important noise first showing at ISO 6400. The sooner settings of 12,500 and 25,000 show various noise, however they’re nonetheless positive to make use of for making smaller prints and net photographs. It’s best to keep away from utilizing the quickest ISO 50,000 and 100,000 settings if potential.
The vary of Movie Types and Leica Appears to be like is just a little restricted in quantity, however does let you apply results in-camera for JPEGs and Uncooked information (Leica Appears to be like solely).
This digicam proved to very succesful in low-light, with the utmost shutter pace of 30 seconds and the Bulb mode permitting you to seize sufficient gentle in all conditions.
Noise
There are 12 ISO settings obtainable on the Leica SL3 working from ISO 50-100,000. Listed here are some 100% crops which present the noise ranges for every ISO setting, with JPEG on the left and RAW on the suitable.
JPEG
RAW
ISO 50
ISO 50
ISO 100
ISO 100
ISO 200
ISO 200
ISO 400
ISO 400
ISO 800
ISO 800
ISO 1600
ISO 1600
ISO 3200
ISO 3200
ISO 6400
ISO 6400
ISO 12500
ISO 12500
ISO 25000
ISO 25000
ISO 50000
ISO 50000
ISO 100000
ISO 100000
Movie Types
The Leica SL3 presents 5 totally different Movie Types which can be utilized to JPEGs solely.
Customary
Vivid
Pure
Monochrome
Monochrome Excessive Distinction
Leica Appears to be like
The Leica SL3 presents six totally different elective Leica Appears to be like which can be utilized to each JPEG and Uncooked information. Observe that you must switch them to the digicam by way of the Leica Fotos app with a view to use them.
Everlasting
Up to date
Basic
Blue
Selenium
Sepia
Pattern Photographs
It is a choice of pattern photographs from the Leica SL3 digicam, which had been all taken utilizing the 60 megapixel JPEG setting. The thumbnails beneath hyperlink to the full-sized variations, which haven’t been altered in any manner.
Pattern RAW Photographs
The Leica SL3 permits customers to seize RAW and JPEG format information. We have supplied some Leica RAW (DNG) samples so that you can obtain (thumbnail photographs proven beneath will not be 100% consultant).
Pattern Films & Video
It is a pattern 8K film on the high quality setting of 8192×4320 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please observe that this 10 second film is 380Mb in measurement.
It is a pattern 8K film on the high quality setting of 8192×4320 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please observe that this 16 second film is 610Mb in measurement.
It is a pattern 4K film on the high quality setting of 3840×2160 pixels at 60 frames per second. Please observe that this 16 second film is 804Mb in measurement.
It is a pattern 4K film on the high quality setting of 3840×2160 pixels at 60 frames per second. Please observe that this 21 second film is 1.06Gb in measurement.
It is a pattern 4K film on the high quality setting of 3840×2160 pixels at 60 frames per second. Please observe that this 12 second film is 602Mb in measurement.
Product Photographs
Conclusion
The brand new SL3 inherits all the important enhancements that Leica lately made on the Q3 mannequin – 60 megapixel sensor, Maestro IV picture processor, 8K video and hybrid auto-focus system – and moreover advantages from a serious refresh of the consumer interface, making it extra highly effective and even simpler to make use of than its predecessor.
The 60 megapixel decision and 8K video will certainly garner many of the headlines, however the incorporation of a tilting LCD display, extra refined UI and particularly the vastly improved hybrid auto-focus system are for us much more necessary components within the evolution of the SL-system.
Enterprise-wise, the standard M cameras nonetheless symbolize the most important portion of Leica’s turnover, then the compact Q-series fashions, and eventually the mirrorless SL, so it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if the brand new SL3 can improve each the SL-system’s share amongst Leica prospects and Leica’s wider standing inside the full-frame mirrorless market.
It definitely deserves to make an influence on each, being highly effective and competent sufficient to compete with its essential rivals, but nonetheless refreshingly pared-back and simple to know in an period of ever extra advanced merchandise.
It maybe goes with out saying that Leica have as soon as once more lavished a frankly horrifying consideration to element on the SL3, which boasts the same old impeccable construct high quality and a home made in Germany origin that goes some strategy to justifying its price-tag. Commendably, Leica have additionally chosen to not improve the launch worth of the SL3 over the SL2.
The Leica SL3 is a premium tackle a 35mm full-frame interchangeable lens digicam that delivers premium outcomes with absolutely the minimal of fuss – it is undeniably very “Leica”, however in the absolute best manner…
Scores (out of 5)
Design
4
Options
4.5
Ease-of-use
4.5
Picture high quality
4.5
Worth for cash
4
Fundamental Rivals
Listed beneath are a few of the rivals of the Leica SL3.
The EOS R5 has been the most popular full-frame digicam on the block ever since Canon pre-announced it again initially of 2020, because of its headline grabbing twin options of a forty five megapixel sensor and 8K video recording. We have seen it a number of occasions since then, however now we are able to lastly convey you our ultimate Canon R5 assessment, full with full-size pattern photographs and movies!
The Fujifilm GFX 100 II is a 100-megapixel, 8K video, 8-stop IBIS, 8fps steady taking pictures, medium-format monster that’s gentle sufficient to make use of all day, indoors and out. Discover out simply how good it’s by studying our in-depth Fujifilm GFX 100 II assessment, full with a gallery of full-size pattern JPEG / Uncooked photographs and movies…
The brand new Fuji GFX 50S II is essentially the most inexpensive medium-format ever launched – it is so low cost that it competes with high-end 35mm full-frame cameras just like the Sony Alpha 7R IV, Canon EOS R5 and Nikon Z7 II. However certainly there is a catch – is it simply too inexpensive for its personal good? Discover out now by studying our in-depth Fujifilm GFX 50S II assessment, full with full-size pattern photographs and movies…
The Leica SL2 is a brand new mirrorless digicam for professionals, providing a 47 megapixel full-frame sensor, 4K/60p video recording, 20fps burst taking pictures, a class-leading EVF, quick auto-focusing and a 3.2-inch touchscreen. Learn our in-depth Leica SL2 assessment now to seek out out what this £5,300 / $5,995 digicam is able to…
The Leica SL2-S is an impeccably constructed full-frame mirrorless digicam, providing a 24.6 megapixel BSI sensor, DCI 4K/60p video recording, 25fps burst taking pictures, a class-leading EVF, IBIS value 5.5 stops, ISO 100,000 and twin UHS-II SD reminiscence card slots. Learn our in-depth Leica SL2S assessment to seek out out what this £3,975 / $4,895 digicam is able to…
Because the religious successor to the favored D850 DSLR, the brand new Z8 full-frame mirrorless digicam may transform probably the most necessary merchandise that Nikon have ever launched. Learn our in-depth Nikon Z8 assessment, full with full-size pattern photographs and movies, to seek out out extra about this mirrorless marvel…
The Nikon Z9 is an expert stage, full-frame mirrorless digicam for photographers and videographers that includes a 45 megapixel stacked BSI sensor, 8K/30p and 4K/120p video recording, 30fps burst taking pictures and a dual-grip design. Learn our in-depth Nikon Z9 assessment full with full-size pattern photographs and movies to seek out out simply what this flagship digicam is able to…
Panasonic have loved a variety of success with their Micro 4 Thirds digicam vary, and now they’ve turned their consideration to the full-frame market with the discharge of the thrilling new Lumix S1R. It is a 47 megapixel full-frame mirrorless digicam with 187 megapixel excessive decision mode, class main digital viewfinder, 6-stop IBIS, and a strong weatherproof physique. Learn our in-depth Panasonic S1R assessment now to seek out out extra about this spectacular digicam…
The Sony A7R V full-frame digicam is a hybrid powerhouse that in some methods outperforms even the flagship Alpha 1 mannequin. Can this thrilling digicam actually meet the wants of all types of photographers? Learn our in-depth Sony A7R V assessment to seek out out…
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