Leica has unveiled its latest full-frame mirrorless camera, the SL3-S, with 24 megapixel resolution and improved performance and video over its predecessor. SL2-S. In many ways it resembles a photocentric 60-megapixel SL3 introduced last Marchbut is aimed at hybrid users who shoot both photos and videos. In terms of characteristics, it resembles Panasonic. $2200 S5 IIX mirrorless camera and may use a similar sensor.
The L-mount SL3-S has a much beefier body than the Leica rangefinder cameras you might be used to. It offers front and rear dials for controlling key functions, as well as a pair of mode dials, a joystick and a few more buttons. However, it lacks some of the controls found in models like the S5 IIX, so you may need to go into the menu to change some settings.
Thankfully, the rear touchscreen is large and has a very high resolution (5.7 million dots), although it only tilts and doesn't fully rotate, which is unfortunate for a hybrid camera. The Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) offers a resolution of 5.76 million dots, which is good but a bit low compared to similarly priced competitors.
A key improvement is faster autofocus thanks to an updated 24-megapixel full-frame BSI CMOS sensor. This allows for continuous shooting at up to 30fps with continuous phase detection autofocus and fairly long shooting times thanks to support for fast CFexpress Type B memory cards. The company also promises 15 stops of dynamic range that will allow for fine tuning when shooting RAW files.
Another key new feature is on the video side, recording “open” 6K 3:2 (5952 x 3968 to be exact) or 10-bit RAW 5888 x 3312 (to an external recorder), as well as 4K 60p. . The SL3-S also supports ProRes recording to a USB-C device or CFexpress B cards. (It's unclear if RAW video recording is supported internally, although the spec is from the website B&H Photo Video shows that this is the case.) These video specifications are very close to the Panasonic S5 IIX, although the latter does not have a CFexpress card slot.
The Leica camera's main selling point is Leica's sharp (and expensive) lenses, although the SL3-S also offers glass from L-Mount partners Panasonic and Sigma. The only big advantage over the S5 IIx is the addition of a CFexpress card slot, but otherwise both models have similar specs—so whether this Leica red dot is worth the extra $3,100 is up to buyers to decide. The Leica SL3-S now retails for $5,295. B&H Photo Video and in other places.