CAMERA TEST
Leica’s top-end mirrorless model gains a 60MP sensor, tilting screen, and significantly improved autofocus. Andy Westlake takes a detailed look
The Leica SL3 is the latest in the firm’s line of pro-spec full-frame mirrorless models, which started with the original 24MP SL back in 2015. This was a camera built unashamedly for professionals, with an extremely robust body supported by superb optics. Four years later, the SL2 appeared with a 47MP sensor and more streamlined operation. Now its successor maintains the same philosophy, but gains many of the updates that we saw last year in the Q3 full-frame compact. Key updates include a 60MP sensor, 8K video recording, and a tilting rear screen. Autofocus is improved by the addition of both subject recognition and on-sensor phase detection. This brings the SL3 much closer into line with other top-end full-frame models, in terms of headline features.
However, at £5,920 body-only, the Leica SL3 is much more expensive than its mainstream competitors. Most obviously, the Sony Alpha A7R V is also built around a 60MP sensor and offers a very similar feature set. Other alternatives include the Canon EOS R5 and Nikon Z 8; all three cameras can be bought for two-thirds of the price. So why might you consider paying such a premium for the Leica?
Features
Let’s take a tour through the Leica SL3’s key features. Like the Q3, it’s built around a 60MP full-frame sensor which includes phase detection for autofocus – the first time we’ve seen this on a Leica mirrorless camera. It provides a standard sensitivity range covering ISO 100-100,000, with ISO 50 also available at the expense of highlight range. You don’t have to shoot 60MP files all the time, though, as you can also record both JPEGs and DNG raw files at either 36MP or 18MP.
Continuous shooting is rated at 5 frames per second with continuous autofocus. With focus fixed and using the electronic shutter, this increases to 15fps. Uniquely, Leica shows exactly what you’re getting, in terms of AF and raw bit-depth, at all the shooting rates available.
Timed shutter speeds as slow as 60 minutes are provided, which is great for such things as landscape or astro photography. Meanwhile the top speed is 1/8000sec with the mechanical shutter, or 1/16,000sec with the electronic shutter.
Thanks to Leica’s latest Maestro IV processor, the SL3 adopts subject recognition autofocus, with human and animal d
