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Leica Announces SL3-S Hybrid Camera
16 January 2025
The Leica SL3-S integrates state-of-the-art technology to provide speed, flexibility and versatility, the company said. The SL3-S is also the first camera in the SL system to be equipped with content credentials technology in accordance with the Content Authenticity Initiative for photos.
The SL3-S features a new BSI CMOS full-frame sensor with 24-Mp native resolution, 48- and 96-Mp multi-shot modes and a new autofocus system. Within its all-metal body, Leica includes three focus technologies: the latest generation in phase detection AF, depth map (object detection AF) and contrast detection AF enable continuous shooting with the Leica SL3-S at up to 30 frames per second with full autofocus support, making it the fastest Leica system camera ever built.
It further features a dynamic range of up to 15 stops and an ISO range of 50 to 200,000. It has slots for CFexpress type B and UHS-II SD memory cards, a USB-C port for fast data transfer, tethering, SSD connection or power supply and a full-size HDMI 2.1 output for external LCD panels or recording devices. It also includes Bluetooth and WiFi with MIMO technology.
Leica announced the SL system in 2015, which combined photography and videography. With the full-frame system based on the L-Mount standard, Leica established itself in the world of professional audiovisual production. The latest version in the range of SL system cameras before the SL3-SD was the Leica SL3, launched in March 2024.
HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of the SL3-S include:
- 24-megapixel full-frame BSI CMOS sensor
- Maestro IV pProcessor with L2 technology
- Hybrid AF system with 779 points
- 3.2-inch 5.7m-dot tilting touchscreen LCD
- 5.76m-Dot 0.78x-Mag. EyeRes OLED EVF
- 6K open gate internal recording
- ISO 50-200,000, up to 30 fps shooting
- 6K, C6K, 4K, C4K & FHD 10-bit recording
- 5-axis image stabilization up to 5 stops
- CFexpress Type B & SD UHS-II card slots
SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications for the SL3-S include:
LEICA SL3-S SPECIFICATIONS Sensor 24-megapixel full-frame BSI CMOS sensor
Aspect Ratios: 3:2, 16:9, 17:9Bit Depth 14-bit Lens Mount L-Mount File Formats DNG, JPEG Storage Slot 1: CFexpress Type B
Slot 2: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)Viewfinder Built-in 5,760,000-dot OLED
21mm eye point
100% coverage
0.76x magnification
-4 to +2 diopter adjustmentMonitor 3.2-inch, 2,332,800-dot tilting touchscreen LCD Shutter Mechanical Shutter:
- 1/8000 to 30 Seconds
Electronic Shutter:
- 1/16000 to 60 SecondsFrame Rate Up to 30 fps at maximum resolution ISO 100 to 200,000 Autofocus Yes Live View Yes Image Stabilization 5-axis sensor shift Flash Shoe mount, no built-in flash
TTL
Maximum Sync Speed: 1/200 secondMovie
Internal Recording Modes:
Raw 10-Bit
- UHD 6K (5888 x 3312) at 23.98/25/29.97 fps
- 4128 x 2160 at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps
H.264/H.265 Long GOP/MP4 4:2:0 8/10-Bit
- UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps
- 1920 x 1080PsF at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps
H.264 ALL-Intra 4:2:2 10-Bit
- UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/47.95/48.00/50/59.94 fps
- 1920 x 1080PsF at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/47.95/48.00/50/59.94/100 fps
H.265 Long GOP/MOV 4:2:0 10-Bit
- 5952 x 3968 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97 fps
- 5888 x 3312 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97 fps
- 5952 x 3136 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97 fps
- 4096 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/47.95/48.00/50/59.94 fps
H.265 Long GOP 4:2:0 10-Bit
- 1920 x 1080PsF at 25/29.97 fps
ProRes 4:2:2
- 5792 x 3056 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97 fps
- 4096 x 2160 at 25/29.97/50/59.94 fps
- 1920 x 1080PsF at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps
External Recording Modes:
4:2:2 12-Bit via HDMI
- 5776 x 3056
No recording limitConnectivity 2.4-GHz MIMO WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0
HDMI out, 3.5mm headphone.mic in/out, USB-C in/out, USB-C data/power inPower Leica BP-SCL6 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, 7.2 VDC, 2200 mAh
315 shotsDimensions [not specified] Weight 4.72 lbs. PRICE, AVAILABILITY
Leica said the SL3-S is available now for $5,295. Adorama and B&H are both now accepting pre-orders.
NEW: Leica SL3-S
The new full-frame system camera with a 24-megapixel sensor, fast autofocus and enhanced video functions is now available.
Leica Camera AG launched the SL-System in 2015, combining photography and videography in a unique way right from the very start. With the full-frame system based on the L-Mount standard, Leica has firmly established itself in the world of professional audiovisual production. The latest version in the range of SL-System cameras is the Leica SL3, which was launched in March 2024. Like all Leica products, it fulfils the highest standards of image and production quality, setting new benchmarks for ease of use with its unique user interface. These values are now embodied in a new SL-System camera: the Leica SL3-S.
When developing this camera, the process centred on the high demands of professional photography and videography. In doing so, the key focus was on speed, flexibility and versatility. The result is a camera that combines the highest image quality for both photography and videography with optimum working speed and reliability. The Leica SL3-S integrates state-of-the-art technology into an outstanding design. It also offers numerous new functions that ensure a professional workflow for producing audiovisual content.
A new BSI CMOS full-frame sensor with 24-Mp native resolution, 48- and 96-Mp multi-shot modes and a new autofocus system form the core of the SL3-S. Securely protected by an IP54-certified solid all-metal body, Leica combines the strengths of three focus technologies here: the latest generation in phase detection AF, depth map (object detection AF) and contrast detection AF enable continuous shooting with the Leica SL3-S at up to 30 frames per second with full autofocus support. This makes the SL3-S the fastest Leica system camera ever built. Together with a dynamic range of up to 15 stops and the impressive ISO range of 50 to 200,000, the SL3-S delivers excellent-quality photos and videos in all shooting situations.
The SL3-S is also the first camera in the SL-System to be equipped with content credentials technology in accordance with the Content Authenticity Initiative for photos. If desired, each image can be signed with tamper-proof metadata, such as the camera model and author information, as well as creation and editing data. In order to prove authenticity with verifiable image content and to make edits transparent, the content credentials can be checked using freely available verification tools (verify.contentauthenticity.org).
The SL3-S records videos in a resolution of up to 6K and offers 3:2 open-gate recording, a feature that provides flexibility when creating video content for a wide variety of channels. For example, portrait format videos can be recorded in 4K, 9:16 without any loss of quality and the field of view in recorded material can also be determined retrospectively. The SL3-S records HDMI-Raw in 5.9K at 30 fps to external display recorders. What's more, thanks to the fast CFexpress type B interface, ProRes 4:2:2 HQ in 5.8K at 30 fps or C4K at 60 fps can also be internally recorded without any recording time limits. It is also possible to record directly to an external SSD hard drive via the USB-C interface, which further increases the flexibility of the SL3-S. A dedicated timecode interface enables professional synchronisation of image and sound on set. The Maestro IV processor with L2 technology effortlessly handles enormous amounts of data, resulting in images with superb colour rendering, high dynamic range and excellent noise behaviour in the L-Log colour space. This processor has been lauded internationally for its optimal quality.
The versatile interfaces and powerful connectivity of the SL3-S ensure a seamless professional workflow. It has slots for CFexpress type B and UHS-II SD memory cards, a USB-C port for fast data transfer, tethering, SSD connection or power supply and a full-size HDMI 2.1 output for external LCD panels or recording devices. In addition, Bluetooth and WiFi with MIMO technology enable fast, stable connection to the Leica FOTOS App, with which DNG images can be transferred in full resolution in a matter of seconds. As a certified Apple "Made for iPhone and iPad" accessory, the Leica SL3-S can be connected directly to Apple products using the supplied USB-C cable. Over the course of 2025, the Camera-to-Cloud function will also become available via Adobe frame.io, using which videos and photos can be uploaded directly from the camera to the Adobe frame.io cloud for further processing.
Thanks to the L-Mount, the SL3-S can be combined with the outstanding lenses for all Leica camera systems, as well as the broad range from super wide-angle lenses to super telephoto zoom lenses from the L-Mount alliance partners. Various Cine lenses can also be used via adapters, the special scales for which can be found in the video menu of the SL3-S. The lens bayonet mount ensures that the Leica SL3-S offers comprehensive system compatibility. In addition, the legendary Leica M-Lenses' full potential can be harnessed thanks to the special design of the image sensor and an external light sensor. Photographers and videographers benefit from the unrivalled imaging performance and compact design of the Leica M-Lenses together with the incredible features of the SL3-S. Image stabilisation of up to 5 stops integrated into the camera body further extends the range of applications for M-Lenses.
The EyeRes viewfinder of the Leica SL3-S is equipped with a painstakingly produced optical system of glass lenses. It displays the subject crystal clear at all times with up to 120 images per second and a resolution of 5.76 million pixels. Thanks to the live preview, it offers full control over the exposure and composition of shots even before the shutter is released. Another new feature of the SL3-S is the tilting 3.2-inch high-res touchscreen with a high-quality tilting mechanism, which makes it even easier to take photos and videos from different angles.
A further highlight is the interface, already familiar to users of the SL3. As with the SL3, the optimisations to the SL3-S include ergonomic and haptic features, as well as the user interface and menu navigation. The handle, button layout and overall camera design have been improved for even more intuitive handling. The clearly structured icon and menu design makes navigation even easier, with distinct sections for photo and video functions. The Cine mode has been tailored specifically to the needs of professional video production.
Freely assignable FN buttons and optimised touch interaction throughout the camera menu allow for intuitive and convenient operation. When taking photos and filming, the entire user interface of the SL3-S aligns itself in landscape or portrait format according to the camera position. The SL3-S is noticeably lighter and more compact than its predecessors and feels even better in the hand thanks to its optimised design. In addition, the complete range of accessories already available for the Leica SL3 are also compatible with the SL3-S.
The Leica SL3-S is now available worldwide in all Leica Stores, in the Leica Online Store and from specialised dealers. The recommended retail price is EUR 5,190, incl. VAT.
All information about the new Leica SL3-S can be found at: leica-camera.com/sl3-s