Leica SL3-S Mirrorless Camera Body

Leica SL3-S Camera Summary

The next-generation Leica SL3-S is a powerful full-frame hybrid mirrorless camera, which provides advanced features for photography and videography enthusiasts and professionals. The camera is equipped with a new 24MP BSI full-frame CMOS sensor, which is paired with Leica’s most advanced Maestro IV processor. Together these core components deliver exceptional speed, higher image quality with wider native ISO settings, along with upgraded autofocus capabilities.

The new CMOS sensor provides enhanced autofocus performance compared to the previous model, with Leica’s next-gen hybrid AF system that combines PDAF, Contrast Detection, and Object Detection AF, with improved subject recognition and tracking.

For stills photography the SL3-S offers burst rates in AF-C 12 bit of up to 30fps, and Leica has included a hand-holdable Multi-shot Mode for either 48MP or 96MP stills output. For video content, the SL3-S features full-frame open gate recording at up to 6K 30fps, with internal recording options that include 4K at 60fps. Videographers can also record in RAW via full-sized HDMI at 5.9K 30fps and 4K 60fps to an external video recorder.

The SL camera body features comprehensive interfaces to support professional content creation, such as direct SSD recording, newly added CFexpress Type B or SD UHS II media, Timecode, HDMI Type A, and USB-C (10Gbps).

Known for being intuitive to use, the Leica SL3-S camera body boasts an optimised button layout, a customisable user interface, and a smaller, lighter body design. It does of course support the L-mount, with access to a huge range of lenses suitable for hybrid content creators working across various subjects, including studio work, weddings, events, and client videos. As the fastest Leica ever made the third-gen. SL3-S is also ideal for sports and action content.

The upgraded body features a 5.76M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder and a new tiltable 3.2-inch display with 2.3M dots for a brilliant user experience with clear previews and navigation. Additionally, the SL3-S is compliant with the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI), which is becoming more important in an age of AI-driven content creation, ensuring your work can be authenticated when required. This feature relies on a firmware update.

Key Leica SL3-S Features

• 24MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Sensor with impressive image quality and enhanced low-light performance
• Fast hybrid PDAF autofocus system capable of up to 30 fps with 12-bit AFC
• Open-gate video recording (6K, 30 fps / 4K, 60 fps)
• HDMI-RAW Video (5.9K, 30 fps / 4K, 60 fps)
• 48MP and 96MP High-Resolution Multi-Shot Mode
• Customisable controls and an intuitive Leica interface
• In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS) and the versatile L-mount system
• 5.76M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder and a tiltable 3.2-inch display with 2.3M dots
• Enhanced connectivity with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (MIMO)
• Supports SD UHS-II memory cards, CFexpress Type B, USB-C with SSD recording, HDMI 2.1 Type A, 3.5mm audio jack, and timecode interface
• Made in Germany to IP54 standards

Leica SL3-S Camera in More Detail

New 24MP sensor with multi-shot mode

The Leica SL3-S features a new 24MP BSI full-frame CMOS sensor that brings even better low-light performance and quicker operation. With an in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) system offering up to 5 stops of stabilisation, the camera helps you achieve sharp results even when shooting handheld in challenging lighting.

The sensor’s expanded ISO range has been expanded between ISO 50 to 200,000, which provides the flexibility to capture cleaner content in various shooting environments – from bright daylight to night time shooting.

The 24MP sensor excels in delivering accurate colour reproduction, capturing subtle nuances of tone, texture, and colour with even greater precision. Its dynamic range allows for impressive shadow recovery during post-processing, and it performs exceptionally well in low-light. Noise is well controlled, maintaining excellent detail even at higher ISOs, such as 3200, 12,500, or beyond. At these levels, the sensor produces a pleasing, film-like grain rather than harsh digital noise, making it a great choice for creators working in any lighting conditions.

Multi-shot mode

For those who require high-res detailed shots, the camera’s Multi-shot Mode allows for 48MP or 96MP stills to reveal finer image details, which can be captured handheld or with a tripod. JPG images are created in-camera by merging eight sensor-shifted RAW files into a single JPEG.

For greater flexibility, the individual RAW files can also be saved for post-processing. While this mode is best suited to static subjects like interiors, still life, cityscapes, and landscapes in calm conditions, it now supports handheld shooting, which is a useful upgrade over the SL2. The multi-shot setting is conveniently accessed via the drive mode menu, ensuring easy integration into the photographer’s workflow.

High-Speed PDAF System

Leica has included an advanced hybrid autofocus system in this generation camera, combining phase-detection autofocus (PDAF), contrast detection, and object detection AF. With far greater coverage at 779 PDAF points, the autofocus is faster, more precise, and versatile for limitless situations, even allowing photographers to burst at up to 30fps in continuous autofocus (AF-C) in 12-bit, or 7fps in mechanical shutter mode.

This system includes multiple AF modes such as spot, multi-field, zone, tracking, and eye and face-detection, ensuring you can capture your subject with ease, regardless of dynamic movement or the prevailing lighting conditions. AF tracking can be customised too, allowing users to save profiles tailored to specific situations like track runners, wildlife, or people.

Maestro IV Processor and Video Capabilities

The latest Maestro IV processor first seen in the SL3 and Leica Q3 43 powers the SL3-S, which supports fast and reliable operation for both photography and videography. It facilitates high-end video capabilities such as 5.8K ProRes 422HQ and 6K RAW video, as well as internal recording at 6K 4:2:0 10-bit and 4K 4:2:2 10-bit.

Additionally, the SL3-S features open-gate recording (full-frame), allowing video creators to capture the entire sensor area for more creative control in post-production for cropping to different formats, enhanced stabilisation, and visual effects. With a no-time-limit recording feature, the SL3-S is perfect for long-form content and longer duration filming. Log footage can be recorded with a LUT applied, providing a preview of how the graded footage will look.

Other benefits of the processor in the Leica SL3-S include:

• Rapid signal processing with efficient conversion of RAW files into high-quality images with speed and accuracy
• Enhanced colour reproduction with vibrant and true-to-life colours straight out of the camera
• 8GB buffer enables smooth and continuous shooting, even in faster-paced situations
• CFexpress Type B support results in greater speed for faster data writing and reduced workflow bottlenecks. This is especially noticeable with all forms of video recording available in-camera, aside from RAW recording.

Content Authenticity

Following its introduction in the Leica M11-P, the SL3-S is the first SL-System camera to integrate encrypted metadata that complies with the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI). Once activated, this adds an additional layer of security, ensuring that every photo is signed with Content Credentials that cannot be altered. This feature is essential in the age of AI-generated content, as it guarantees the authenticity of your digital images, with the option to track changes made throughout the editing process.

Comprehensive Connectivity

The upgraded camera body offers a variety of connectivity options to meet the needs of advanced hybrid content creators. It now supports CFexpress Type B and SD memory card slots, a 10Gbps USB-C port with charging support, and a full-size HDMI output for external recorder/monitors.

With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity via MIMO technology, users can also expect extremely stable and fast wireless data transfer, allowing for quicker uploads to cloud platforms such as Leica FOTOS and integrations with apps like Lightroom and Capture One photography software. The camera supports transfer speeds of up to 40MB/s, which equates to under 1 second per full resolution image transfer.

Leica FOTOS App

The Leica FOTOS app provides users with an efficient way to manage their content. With features now spanning Leica Looks, camera-to-cloud integration and tether preview, the app facilitates easy editing, sharing, and remote control. The app also allows transfer of media and quick firmware updates, ensuring your SL3-S stays up to date with the latest features.

For users who integrate team content the SL3-S supports camera-to-cloud functionality via Adobe frame.io, enabling proxy video uploads and seamless integration with Lightroom for cloud-based workflows. This feature allows creators to share, edit, and shoot with live updates from anywhere.

Design and Usability

The Leica SL3-S is designed with an updated button layout, tiltable display, and ergonomic grip, which ensure that it feels natural in the hand, while being easy to operate. The clear, intuitive menu system and touch interaction further streamline your shooting process, and the new menu adapts based on its orientation, making it equally usable whether held upright or tilted for overhead or low-angle shots. Additionally, the LCD has been upgraded as a flip screen with higher resolution, while Leica has managed to shave nearly 100g off the weight compared to the previous body.

L mount lens range

The L-Mount system originally developed by Leica is a future-proof lens mount that offers excellent compatibility with a wide range of models from Leica, Panasonic and Sigma amongst others. This collaboration has resulted in a comprehensive selection of high-performance lenses, catering to hybrid creators who work across photography and videography.

The recently released Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm F/2.8 lens and Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm F/2.8 are great examples, with both providing exceptional sharpness, fast autofocus, and unique character, ensuring your images and video have the professional quality expected from Leica glass.

What’s in the box

• Leica SL3-S mirrorless camera body
• Battery (BP-SCL6) 
• USB-C cable
• Carrying strap
• Quick-start guide