Leica SL2 Mirrorless Camera Silver

Leica SL2 Mirrorless Camera Silver Summary

With a silver anodised top cap and bottom plate the Leica SL2 Mirrorless Camera Silver impresses with its’ classic look, which is reminiscent of silver M cameras or Leica R models. Leather armouring identical to the Leica M11 imbues a classy appearance that has always made Leica cameras so distinctive.

Despite its classic appearance the newly designed silver SL2 retains all of the same cutting-edge hybrid technology from the regular Black SL2, which includes improvements to usability alongside significant upgrades over the previous generation camera.

The full-frame body boasts a high resolution 47MP CMOS sensor, paired with the high-speed Maestro III processor for extremely effective stills and video capabilities. You can keep up with fast moving action with burst rates of  20fps and shoot handheld in low light environments thanks to a multi-axis in-body stabiliser.

Moviemakers can record internal video at up to 4K 60p as well as 4K at 30fps in 10bit (4:2:2), harnessing the 14+ stops of wide dynamic range for beautiful stabilised results. Leica has developed a dedicated Cine Mode, which converts the terminology of the camera to more familiar film industry terms, including T-stops and ASA.

A robust build with German Made quality delivers IP54 rated weather resistance, leather armouring and upgraded hardware such as the high-resolution EVF, resulting in a robust and user-friendly camera for working creators.

Key Leica SL2 Features

• New silver body styling
• 47 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor
• Maestro III processor
• In-body image stabilisation
• Streamlined design with new menus
• Improved ergonomics for streamlined shooting
• Leica Object Detection Autofocus
• Leica EyeRes® viewfinder with 5.7MP resolution
• IP54 rating
• Versatile tool for cinematographers with 4K at 30fps in 10bit (4:2:2) internal
• L-Mount bayonet with a huge range of L Mount Mirrorless Lenses
• Designed and crafted in Germany

Leica SL2 Mirrorless Camera Silver in More Detail

Evolved image quality

The SL2’s full-frame CMOS sensor features 47.3 megapixels and was designed to minimise stray light by using only two glass surfaces: an RGB filter and a UV/IR filter. This design enables the maximum amount of light to reach the sensor, contributing to the SL2’s incredible image performance in all lighting conditions. With an improved sensor, the new SL2 needed to be fitted with an upgraded processor. The new Maestro III processor is just that. Specifically developed for the SL2, this processor was made to capture fast-moving subjects and can do so at a consecutive exposure rate of up to 20 frames per second.

Effective in-body stabilisation

A brand-new addition to the SL2 is the new multi-axis in-body stabiliser, which allows you use slower shutter speeds and longer lenses without the use of a tripod. This adds to the SL2’s perfect portability, a key advantage unmatched by photography and cinematography equipment of this calibre.

Made for hybrid content creators

The SL2 is the first complete mirrorless system made to fully cater to both photography and videography professionals. A completely redesigned user interface menu allows you to switch between photo and video modes, giving instant access to only the relevant settings. All settings within video mode are video-specific, essentially making the SL2 two entirely separate cameras combined in a single body. Furthermore, Cine Mode allows you to change the exposure terminology to that used in the cinematography industry (ie: F-Stops turn to T-Stops, ISO to ASA).

The SL2 has the ability to shoot video in 4k resolution at 60 fps using the full sensor size, making it comparable to top-of-the-line cinema equipment and allowing you to screen footage at maximum resolution even on the biggest movie screens. At 30 fps, the SL2 is even capable of 5k resolution at a 4:3 ratio.

Both SD memory card slots of the SL2 are now UHS-II compatible. This enables 4K at 30fps in 10bit (4:2:2) to be recorded directly to the internal memory cards, without the need for an external recorder. This makes the SL2 particularly versatile when shooting on-location and on the go. In-built headphone and mic jacks are complemented by a fully-fledged HDMI connector should an external monitor be required, no adapter necessary.

Intelligent Autofocus

A significant milestone in technological advancement is brought to light in the SL2’s new autofocus. Set up with 225 autofocus metering fields and state-of-the-art face and body detection, getting a razor-sharp image of moving subjects has never been easier. Additionally to the classic AF-C and AF-S, the SL2’s iAF mode can be deployed to independently decide which AF mode best matches your needs.

There are now four fully customisable autofocus profiles. The Wildlife profile, for instance, caters to unpredictable movements and will automatically lower the autofocus’ depth-sensitivity responsiveness to account for subjects becoming obscured by their natural habitat.

Phenomenal lowlight performance

With a new, advanced sensor and improved processor, the SL2 takes it yet another step further in low-light performance. The ISO range of 50-50,000 covers an array of lighting scenarios and the 14-stop dynamic range allows you to push shadows without blowing out highlights in post-production.

Further to that, the SL2’s electronic viewfinder was made to excel in any kind of lighting condition. The improved EyeRes viewfinder was cast out of a combination of glass and metal and features a medium format like magnification and a 5.76-megapixel resolution, making it the most immersive electronic viewfinder on the market today. With the option to change the refresh rate of the EVF up to 120fps, even quick panning movements maintain a steady image.

The ability to turn off automatic noise-reduction allows you to fire off one long exposure after the other without delay between shots.

Intuitive handling

In addition to the newly separated menus for still and moving images, the SL2 features a completely redesigned menu interference which has been streamlined to three buttons to the rear (a design users of other Leica systems will be familiar with), and a further five fully customisable buttons to easily access your favourite functions.

The rear LCD monitor is 3.5 inches and has 2.1 megapixels. Gorilla glass makes the display resistant to fingerprints and scratches while allowing full touch controls for menu navigation and autofocusing.

Evolved design

The top and bottom plates of the SL2 are made of a single plate of machine-cut aluminium while the body is made of die-cast magnesium, putting longevity and durability at the heart of the design. The original SL’s leatherette has been used to cover the full extent of the body, improving the camera’s grip. A finger-recess on the front of the grip further enhances the camera’s ease of holding, additionally supported by a body that is lighter than its predecessor.

Sealed with an official IP54 rating, the SL2 can withstand water spray from all directions and can be used in extreme weather conditions of -10 to +40 degrees Celsius.

187 MP Multishot mode

In the SL2’s new Multishot mode, the camera records up to 8 frames and merges them together to create a super-high-resolution DNG file of 187 megapixels.

L mount lens compatibility

The SL lens catalogue currently features numerous lens choices, with focal lengths ranging from 16mm to 280mm. With the camera’s native L-Mount, its range of compatible lenses is further expanded by lenses in the Leica TL lens catalogue and a wide array of options from Panasonic and Sigma, as part of the L-Mount alliance.

Through specialised adapters, the SL2 can also mount over 70 Leica M lenses, 16 Leica S lenses, 51 Leica R lenses and the full range of Leica Cine lenses.

Alongside the release of the Silver camera body only is two kits, including the Leica SL2 Silver Kit with Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70 f/2.8 ASPH Lens and SL2 Silver with Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH and Leica M-Adapter L for truly classic Rangefinder optics.

Leica FOTOS App and firmware updates

The SL2 is fully compatible with the Leica FOTOS App for iOS and Android, allowing you to control the SL2 directly from your smartphone or using your device as a portable live screen.

With regular updates to the App as well as the camera’s native firmware, technological advances to your SL2 are guaranteed on a regular basis and backed by a team of support technicians.

What’s in the box

• Leica SL2 Camera Body Silver
• Charger
• Lithium-ion battery
• Carrying strap
• Body bayonet cover