Next Gen (or upgraded) SL?

[Spizzi]

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I know it is speculation at this point but any guesstimates as to when the next gen SL body will come out?

[richardhagen]

I'm hoping for more (megapixels), but the SL upgrade path might follow the same upgrade path as the M: same megapixels, lighter, thinner, no video, etc., etc.

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[ramarren]

Given that the SL is just barely over a year old, and that top line pro-grade cameras typically have a 36 to 48 month upgrade cycle, I would expect Leica will concentrate SL system releases on firmware and lens products for the next two to three years.

[richardhagen]

I agree ramarren. Let me amend my statement: Not only will the SL upgrade path follow the same upgrade path as the M: same megapixels, lighter, thinner, no video, etc., etc., it will also follow the same timeline.

[IkarusJohn]

I agree ramarren. Let me amend my statement: Not only will the SL upgrade path follow the same upgrade path as the M: same megapixels, lighter, thinner, no video, etc., etc., it will also follow the same timeline.

No video?

 

I don't think so ...

[helged]

My understanding is that simplicity (the 'essentials') is the leading guideline for the M-system, whereas SL is Leica's professional, high-end work-horse. I therefore expect the SL to remain high up on the spec list, with more MP, larger and faster buffer, etc. in the following incarnations.

[steppenw0lf]

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I expect a SL2 in about 2 years, but will wait for a SL3 in about 5.

Just a guess, nothing serious.

In the meantime adding native lenses is more important for me. So Leica will not starve.  

Edited January 19, 2017 by steppenw0lf

[scott kirkpatrick]

I'd expect a video codec refresh this year.  If there is to be an SL-P, it would offer bigger buffers, support two UHS-II chips for in-camera 4K capacities of 10 to 30 minutes with audio monitoring onboard (through the battery and grip expansion).  Not so much for readers of this forum, but for the dudes who rent their gear and use those incredible cinema Leica lenses.

 

scott

[thighslapper]

For once I think I disagree with accepted Leica product cycle assumptions ...... the SL is a bit of a departure for Leica and more aimed at the general pro/semi-pro market where they are prepared to push out fairly up to date (for Leica) innovations. I think they will be keen to try and keep it top of the pile and may well shorten the cycle to a couple of years. 

 

It all depends if there is  Maestro III processor ready that can handle the output of a bigger, wider DR/ISO sensor, better EVF and return the same turn of speed as the current SL. It's the processing power & power consumption that is the limiting factor.

Edited January 19, 2017 by thighslapper

[steppenw0lf]

A processor offering more performance, but not much more energy consumption. (ideally even less than before).

 

I expect a refresh rate or about one in every three years. Reading your note I first thought you would suggest rates as Sony has them (one per years). But then you talk about shortening the cycle to a couple of years. That sounds like being close to my guess/estimation. 

Edited January 19, 2017 by steppenw0lf

[jrp]

Practically all higher end cameras use versions of the Fujitsu Milbeaut processor (perhaps with the exception of Sony and Canon, that are large enough to have their own Silicon).  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milbeaut 

[steppenw0lf]

Does that mean the Maestro II is a Milbeaut variant ? Or is it only a coprocessor to the Maestro ?

Edited January 19, 2017 by steppenw0lf

[New Fish]

I would like 10 bit 4.2.2 Pro Res internally, other than that, one very happy owner

[steppenw0lf]

OK I found the answer:

 

Leica MAESTRO II has been built upon the latest technology from Fujitsu’s Milbeaut series. It features improved image processing algorithms and faster CPUs. The combined faster operation of both software and hardware enables superior image processing performance.

 

An excerpt from here: https://en.leica-camera.com/Company/Press-Centre/Press-Releases/Photokina-2014/Press-Release-photokina-2014-Leica-to-Present-New-High-End-Camera-Leica-S-Featuring-Leica-MAESTRO-II-Processor-built-on-Fujitsu-Technology

http://www.artikel-presse.de/tag/milbeaut/

Edited January 19, 2017 by steppenw0lf

[ramarren]

I agree ramarren. Let me amend my statement: Not only will the SL upgrade path follow the same upgrade path as the M: same megapixels, lighter, thinner, no video, etc., etc., it will also follow the same timeline.

- Video is an integral part of the SL design, I doubt they'll ever drop it. I expect them to enhance it.

 

- The SL body is already thinner than a film M.... !!

 

- Lighter would be nice... magnesium instead of aluminum? There's not much wasted space to jettison, and the mount register is already down to 19mm or so.

 

- More pixels .. will likely come when they get a higher mpixel sensor design that affords the same image qualities. Leica seems to own the SL, Q, and now M10 sensor designs, and has them manufactured by an unnamed fab.

[Leicaiste]

I don't see the SL upgraded any time soon. It was a much more refined and up to date product when released than the M240 which is more than 4 years old.

[scott kirkpatrick]

The 24 MPx in the SL is already at a sufficient level (but not an ultimate level) for both still and video output, so I would expect a technology refresh but not an upgrade with steady firmware improvements in the next 2-3 years.  And among the firmware upgrades, I noticed that the M10 has managed to preserve the M240's ability to allow file numbers to increase up to 9999 before creating a new directory for .DNG files.  Also, you can set the first four characters of your filenames to anything that you like.  So the M handling of files has settled on a standard.  Now to get that standard adopted on the SL.  Does anyone know of a reason not to do this?

 

I would like 10 bit 4.2.2 Pro Res internally, other than that, one very happy owner

 

 I think that is the sort of thing that comes with a refresh -- bigger buffer, higher internal bandwidth.  Comparing other cameras released this year, several can support either two cards each with UHS-II or outputting dual streams to their two chips (raw + jpeg), so this can't be far in the future.

 

scott

[dkCambridgeshire]

I use an SL but also use a Sony A7S for its low light imaging. I'd welcome an SL with a lower megapixel sensor if it could match the A7S' usable low light performance i.e. up to ISO 20000. But this is likely a 'pie in the sky' wish - unless Leica used the Sony 12.4 MP sensor. 

 

dunk

[LD_50]

I use an SL but also use a Sony A7S for its low light imaging. I'd welcome an SL with a lower megapixel sensor if it could match the A7S' usable low light performance i.e. up to ISO 20000. But this is likely a 'pie in the sky' wish - unless Leica used the Sony 12.4 MP sensor. 

 

dunk

How does an SL photo downsampled to the same 12 MP output size compare to the A7S files?

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[jrp]

I would expect a mid-cycle refresh in a year to 18m, with slightly improved internal electronics.  Nothing that detracts from the effort of getting new lenses out, since that is where the real money is and the absence of which may be keeping some from buying the body.

 

But who knows.  Fuji's new medium format is aggressively priced (same ballpark as the M10 / SL).  It will be interesting to see if that turns out to be for a different market.  In my case, it doesn't take M lenses, so the step-jump in intrinsic image quality potential is moot for me.  But if it tempts others, Leica will need to respond, admittedly with the S line, in the first instance, I suppose.