Leica seems to have sent invitations to a camera launch event for existing SL-2 users on January 16th, and the rumor mill is buzzing accordingly. A Leica SL3-S has been expected for quite some time. The S variant within the Leica SL full-frame portfolio has so far been characterized by sensors with lower MP counts and upgraded video functions.
Leica SL2-S
Comparing the current Leica SL3 with the SL2-S, besides the significant difference in megapixel count (60 MP vs 24 MP), the different autofocus systems also stand out. While the Leica SL2-S still relies on older contrast detection and depth mapping, the Leica SL3-S also works with PDAF. We would actually be surprised if the new SL3-S were not equipped with a phase detection system. Also in the Leica tradition should be a high-quality EVF for the SL3-S – a feature that also clearly distinguishes the SL2-S (EVF with 5.76 million pixels) from a Panasonic S5 (or an S5 II), with which it is often compared due to the same pixel counts and the cooperation with Panasonic (L square 2). And this is where the Leica SL3-S could become very interesting for all video-affine users.
Leica presented the Leica SL2-S already quite video-affine as seen in this picture from the SL2-S website
Should the Leica SL3-S again be equipped with a 24 MP sensor that, however, provides 4K 60p as a full-sensor readout without cropping, this would indicate a more modern sensor than the one used by the Panasonic S5 II(X). Accordingly, one could also speculate about the use of such a sensor in a future S1 H II… because 4K 60p without cropping should also be a given here.
But now it&s time to wait and see – in any case, we are already quite excited about the presentation of the Leica SL3-S – because it should definitely have a focus on video production, and the more powerful video DSLMs available, the better for all of us…
Which features would you like to see in a video-affine Leica SL3-S?
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