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Introduction
The Leica SL3 (Sort 5404) is a 35mm full-frame interchangeable lens mirrorless digicam designed to attraction to each stills photographers and videographers. It contains 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 price and 0.76x magnification, a tilting 3.2”, 2.33m-dot touchscreen LCD display, and a 1.28” prime show LCD. It moreover presents an IP54-rated weather-sealed magnesium-alloy development, in-body picture stabilisation price 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 advisable retail value of the Leica SL3 is £5,920 within the UK and it’s out there 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 provided by 2019’s 47.3 megapixel SL2 mannequin.
Together with the newest era Maestro IV picture processor, this permits the Sl3 to output 14-bit RAW recordsdata with a claimed dynamic vary of as much as 15 stops, present an in depth ISO vary of 50-100,000, and shoot 60 megapixel photographs at 5fps with steady AF/AE.
It additionally has a particular IR + UV minimize filter in entrance of the sensor which corrects even probably the most indirect rays of incident mild and a brand new color filter array that provides extra pure color replica than earlier SL-system cameras.
While 60 megapixels will undoubtedly be a giant 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 instances.
So the SL3 could 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 a giant leap forwards, because it now incorporates a hybrid AF system that features section detection in addition to distinction detection pixels., offering larger velocity 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 / Area / Multi-Area / Zone / Monitoring /Eye-, Face-Physique-Detection / Eye-, Face-, Physique-, Animal-Detection – we’re nonetheless undecided 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 a minimum of it is a good begin that works nicely in follow.
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 truth is that the main focus and publicity are locked on the first body till you drop right down to a fairly extra pedestrian 5fps, which is fairly disappointing when some equally priced mirrorless cameras can shoot at related velocity with AF/AE.
The buffer is 90 pictures at 5fps for DNG RAW, although, so you may a minimum of shoot for a very long time earlier than that price 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 out there that routinely switches between them. Flash synchronization is obtainable as much as 1/200sec.
It is vital 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 function for detail-hungry still-life and panorama photographers.
Leica informed us that the brand new sensor makes it tough to assist this function, and it’ll solely be carried out if buyer suggestions calls for it through a doable 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 through the full-size HDMI 2.1 Sort 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 could be transferred to the Leica FOTOS app in a mere 2 seconds!
In case you want a wired connection, there is a new Leica cable out there that is 3x sooner than the earlier model, which implies that it takes lower than 1 second to switch a 60mp DNG file.
Commendably you can even now use any USB-C cable with Android and newer iOS gadgets – 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 through 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 appropriate with the BP-SCL4 battery that was used within the SL2, though the digicam does not assist larger burst taking pictures charges than 2fps and video recording is restricted to full HD.
The wonderful digital viewfinder is precisely 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 price for extra reasonable movement rendering.
One other vital function 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 may now be moved each upwards and downwards to go well with working from a wide range of taking pictures positions, fairly than fastened 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 fairly spoil the in any other case refined aesthetics of the SL3, nonetheless, because it juts out from the rear of the digicam, interrupting the graceful traces. Nonetheless, that is at the start a photographic device, fairly 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 correct of the display.
A brand new Leica Look makes its debut on the SL3 – Leica Everlasting (ETN) – which joins the 5 different present Seems to be and gives extra distinction and saturation. You possibly can see examples of all of them within the Picture High quality part.
The Leica SL3 is one other extremely stable, black-bodied digicam that’s hand-made in Wetzlar, Germany. This new model is slightly lighter and extra compact than its predecessors, although, weighing in at 769g with no 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 allows round 150 totally different lenses to be utilised, should you spend money on particular adapters. Leica have 15 lenses L-mount lenses starting from from 14mm to 560mm, with 84 native lenses out there within the L-mount alliance from the likes of Sigma and Panasonic.
It must be stated upfront that the SL3 will not be probably the most transportable choice ever. That is partly as a result of it’s been common from two stable items of aluminium with a central magnesium alloy portion sandwiched in its midst – so we have 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 complete day on a metropolis break, particularly with a bag stuffed with L-mount lenses as nicely.
We’re informed that the SL3 is each mud and waterproof to the extent of being IP54 rated, so it might probably apparently face up to water spray from each route however falls wanting being absolutely waterproof.
The SL3 has a -10 to +40 temperature assure, however Leica informed us that it might probably 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 stable that, offering the inner electronics maintain up, the SL3 might absolutely final years of use – which we’d definitely need it to at this value.
The handgrip is sufficiently big to wrap 4 fingers round, whereas your thumb routinely 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 on the lookout for a taking pictures mode dial, then you might be considerably confused, as a result of the SL3 does not have one. As an alternative it’s important to press the clicking wheel in after which scroll by means of the standard PASM choices to alter 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 velocity, making it even simpler than earlier than to regulate the important thing publicity settings.
One of many different large 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 swap.
Not solely do you now push a button to show the digicam on fairly than transfer a swap, it additionally has a two-part operation when the digicam is on, the place a protracted 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. Slightly cleverly, whenever you maintain the digicam as much as your eye, the illuminated ring is routinely turned off in order that it does not distract you in any approach.
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 specific approach of working, to not point out the 6 person profiles for stills and 6 extra for video which might be out there.
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 principally 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 components, there are actually 5 menu objects fairly than 6 and eight standing display/management middle tiles fairly 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 person expertise.
Additional usability enhancements embody a a number of delete choice, the power to customise on-screen icons throughout dwell view, new Quickaccess capabilities throughout dwell view so that you simply don’t want to enter the menu, optimized contact management with gestures, and a UI that routinely tilts from panorama to portrait whenever you change the orientation of the digicam.
Leica have additionally signalled that the brand new UI will likely 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 could be inserted into the digicam’s battery slot to make sure a steady energy provide through USB-C.
Picture High quality
All the pattern photographs on this assessment have been taken utilizing the 60 megapixel JPEG setting, which ends up in a median picture measurement of round 31Mb.
The SL3 digicam produces noise-free JPEG photographs from ISO 50 all the best way as much as ISO 3200, with important noise first showing at ISO 6400. The sooner settings of 12,500 and 25,000 show numerous noise, however they’re nonetheless superb to make use of for making smaller prints and internet photographs. You need to keep away from utilizing the quickest ISO 50,000 and 100,000 settings if doable.
The vary of Movie Kinds and Leica Seems to be is slightly restricted in quantity, however does mean you can apply results in-camera for JPEGs and Uncooked recordsdata (Leica Seems to be solely).
This digicam proved to very succesful in low-light, with the utmost shutter velocity of 30 seconds and the Bulb mode permitting you to seize sufficient mild in all conditions.
Noise
There are 12 ISO settings out there on the Leica SL3 operating 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 correct.
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 Kinds
The Leica SL3 presents 5 totally different Movie Kinds which might be utilized to JPEGs solely.
Normal
Vivid
Pure
Monochrome
Monochrome Excessive Distinction
Leica Seems to be
The Leica SL3 presents six totally different elective Leica Seems to be which might be utilized to each JPEG and Uncooked recordsdata. Notice that you want to switch them to the digicam through the Leica Fotos app so as to use them.
Everlasting
Up to date
Traditional
Blue
Selenium
Sepia
Pattern Photos
This can be a number of pattern photographs from the Leica SL3 digicam, which have 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 approach.
Pattern RAW Photos
The Leica SL3 allows customers to seize RAW and JPEG format recordsdata. We have supplied some Leica RAW (DNG) samples so that you can obtain (thumbnail photographs proven beneath should not 100% consultant).
Pattern Motion pictures & Video
This can be a pattern 8K film on the high quality setting of 8192×4320 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please word that this 10 second film is 380Mb in measurement.
This can be a pattern 8K film on the high quality setting of 8192×4320 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please word that this 16 second film is 610Mb in measurement.
This can be a pattern 4K film on the high quality setting of 3840×2160 pixels at 60 frames per second. Please word that this 16 second film is 804Mb in measurement.
This can be a pattern 4K film on the high quality setting of 3840×2160 pixels at 60 frames per second. Please word that this 21 second film is 1.06Gb in measurement.
This can be a pattern 4K film on the high quality setting of 3840×2160 pixels at 60 frames per second. Please word that this 12 second film is 602Mb in measurement.
Product Photos
Conclusion
The brand new SL3 inherits all the important enhancements that Leica just 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 significant refresh of the person 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 vital elements within the evolution of the SL-system.
Enterprise-wise, the normal M cameras nonetheless symbolize the largest portion of Leica’s turnover, then the compact Q-series fashions, and eventually the mirrorless SL, so will probably 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 affect on each, being highly effective and competent sufficient to compete with its predominant rivals, but nonetheless refreshingly pared-back and simple to know in an period of ever extra complicated merchandise.
It maybe goes with out saying that Leica have as soon as once more lavished a frankly scary consideration to element on the SL3, which boasts the standard impeccable construct high quality and a hand-crafted in Germany origin that goes some technique to justifying its price-tag. Commendably, Leica have additionally chosen to not improve the launch value 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 approach…
Rankings (out of 5)
Design
4
Options
4.5
Ease-of-use
4.5
Picture high quality
4.5
Worth for cash
4
Principal 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 firstly of 2020, due to its headline grabbing twin options of a forty five megapixel sensor and 8K video recording. We have seen it a number of instances since then, however now we are able to lastly carry you our closing Canon R5 assessment, full with full-size pattern images 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 mild 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 probably 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 absolutely 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 images 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 search 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 price 5.5 stops, ISO 100,000 and twin UHS-II SD reminiscence card slots. Learn our in-depth Leica SL2S assessment to search out out what this £3,975 / $4,895 digicam is able to…
Because the non secular successor to the favored D850 DSLR, the brand new Z8 full-frame mirrorless digicam might grow to be one of the crucial vital merchandise that Nikon have ever launched. Learn our in-depth Nikon Z8 assessment, full with full-size pattern images and movies, to search out out extra about this mirrorless marvel…
The Nikon Z9 is knowledgeable stage, full-frame mirrorless digicam for photographers and videographers that contains 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 images and movies to search out out simply what this flagship digicam is able to…
Panasonic have loved lots 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. This can be 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 search 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 search out out…
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