The Leica SL3-S mirrorless cameras feature 6K ProRes video and faster autofocus

Leica has unveiled its latest full-frame mirrorless camera, the 24-megapixel SL3-S with improved performance and video compared to its predecessor. SL2-S. It’s very similar to a 60-megapixel image-focused one The SL3 was unveiled in March last yearbut it’s geared toward hybrid users who shoot still photos and video. In terms of specifications, it is similar to Panasonic $2,200 S5 III A mirrorless camera may use a similar sensor.

The L-mount SL3-S has a more massive body than the Leica rangefinder cameras you may be used to. It offers front and rear dials to control the main functions, along with a pair of mode dials, a joystick, and several other buttons. However, it lacks some of the controls found on models like the S5 IIX – so you may need to delve into the menus to change some settings.

Fortunately, the rear touchscreen is large and high-resolution (5.7 million dots), although it only tilts and doesn’t pan fully which is unfortunate for a hybrid camera. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) offers 5.76 million dot resolution, which is solid but a bit low compared to similarly priced competitors.

One major improvement is faster autofocus, thanks to the 24MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor. This enables continuous shooting at up to 30 fps with continuous phase detection AF, with fairly long capture times thanks to support for fast CFexpress Type B memory cards. The company is also promising 15 stops of dynamic range which should allow finer adjustments when shooting RAW files.

Another major new feature is on the video side, with 6K 3:2 “gate-opening” recording (5952 x 3968 to be precise), or 5888 x 3312 10-bit RAW (for an external recorder), alongside 4K 60p . The SL3-S also supports ProRes recording to USB-C devices or CFexpress B cards. (It’s not clear if internal RAW video recording is supported, though the spec sheet from B&H Photos Video Shows that to be the case.) These video specifications correspond closely with Panasonic’s S5 IIX, although the latter lacks a CFexpress card slot.

The main advantage of the Leica camera is its sharp (and expensive) Leica lenses, although the SL3-S can also use 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 the two models have similar specifications – so whether the Leica red dot is worth the extra $3,100 is up to buyers to decide. Leica’s SL3-S is on sale now for $5,295 B&H Photos Video And in other places.