Leica SL3 Review by Thomas Walter

[MediaFotografie]

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SL the Third: Much Progress Through Evolution

Autumn 2015: Leica announces a new camera concept, the SL Typ 601, its first full-frame mirrorless camera - around three years before Canon and Nikon, followed in 2019 by the SL2 with IBIS and 47MP sensor, and in 2020 the SL2-S with BSI sensor. In autumn 2023, there was great excitement as to what the team in Wetzlar would probably pack into the SL3.

The SL3 combines many things that make the SL system more attractive, easier to handle and more practical. For 49 days, I used a pre-production model with firmware from 0.6.13 to 0.7.7 every day and was also able to provide information to Wetzlar.

Sensor and Image Quality

Probably the most important thing: is the sensor. As expected, it is a 61MP sensor like in the M11 and Q3. As often suspected, it is probably a variant of the Sony IMX455, but I didn't want to disassemble the housing to check this.

The sensor is known for its very high resolution and high quality even in low light. Less favourable is the comparatively slow readout time, which leads to some limitations, especially with video (no 4k120) and susceptibility to rolling shutter. The shortest flash synchronisation is only 1/200s.

Of course, the SL3 also offers the "triple resolution" known from the M11 and Q3 with 61/36/18 MP image size; apart from experimenting, I only used the full 61 MP for the field test. With APS-C (the compact and lightweight TL lenses do very well on the new sensor), the sensor delivers 26/16/8 MP.

Also as expected: The sensor produces extremely high image quality on the SL3. At the time of the test, Adobe Lightroom did not yet fully support the SL3 (only natively via DNG), but the results were already impressive. The APO-Summicrons SL came out best.

In addition to the high resolution, the high ISO performance is essential for the sensor. My impression is (as expected) that the SL3 is between the SL2 and the SL2-S, which is good here but feels closer to the SL2. Here is a collection of shots in the same setup SL 601, SL2, SL2-S and SL3 in all ISO settings for comparison. Thanks to the impressive AI noise reduction in Lightroom, this topic has become much less important.

Body

At first glance, it doesn't look like much has changed; the width has shrunk by 5mm and the weight by about 70g compared to the SL2. It is astonishing how noticeable both are in everyday use, perhaps also because many details have been adapted for handling.

Caution, endless discussion and a matter of taste: tilting screen. Just my subjective opinion: I never wanted one before, so I used the Nikon Z and found it very practical. The SL3 has a very nicely integrated, stable and easy-to-use tilting screen, which only offers the simple flip-up function, but is somewhat more flexible (and larger) than that of the Q3, and can be completely swivelled to a 90-degree horizontal position. For me, this is the most successful solution. The camera automatically switches from the viewfinder to display when it is folded out, which is very user-friendly.

Buttons on the right-hand side of the display: It was to be expected after the M11 and Q3; the three function buttons (as with the SL2, the three buttons have been retained) have been moved to the right-hand side of the display and are therefore much easier to reach - especially for right-handers. And elegantly framed by the artificial leather.

The viewfinder still has just under 6 MP, is super bright, can display up to 120Hz and makes a very good impression; however, we are already very spoilt by the SL2.

The second setting dial on the left-hand side of the housing is new; the default setting is ISO, but can also be changed. Certainly very practical, but also a danger of accidental adjustment: If you use fixed ISO 50 instead of Auto ISO, a lot is lost. A solution is to be found by the time the camera is ready for series production to prevent accidental adjustment (which happens easily).

And, also to be expected: The SL3 uses the combination solution of memory cards with SD and CFExpress type B, which is widespread today. For me, this is a good and flexible choice, the read-out speed of the CFE is impressive, and the SD is practical.

IBIS is available as on the SL2, I didn't notice any difference here; the active "dust shake" from the sensor, which you can hear and feel, is now practical.

What was previously a toggle switch on/off is completely new: this is now a button with an LED frame that provides further information via the colour (e.g. flashing green: USB charging). I like it and it could have potential for more.

Handgrip

My test was with the new HG-SCL7 grip. As described, the housing of the SL3 is smaller than before, so a new handgrip is required. It has the same function as the 601 and SL2: a second shutter release, two control dials, and a joystick.

The important information: both batteries are now charged via USB-C, including the one in the handgrip.

The design has changed on the back: To allow better access to the flip-up display, there is a notch here that significantly improves grip in portrait format.

Autofocus

With the new sensor, phase-detection AF has also found its way into the SL system. This already works quite well in the beta firmware in photo mode, although no miracles are achieved with tracking. There is also supposed to be an "animal eye AF", but I have not tested this.

For me, the bigger surprise came after the test when I switched back to the SL2(S) and realised that the new PDAF was a big step forward after all. In absolutely identical situations (e.g. heavy fog), the SL3 was much faster and more reliable, and the notorious "hunting" for focus was also much less pronounced.

Video

Of course, 8k30 is now also available - but I have only tested this once, as there is no use for it here. There is no 4k120 because the readout time of the sensor probably doesn't play along. The new timecode input is important for serious users.

So-called video profiles are new: Defined settings for format (MOV/mp4), frame rate, resolution and more. As a video amateur, I liked this and it helped me to make the most important settings, while others found it rather cumbersome.

Menu Navigation

The SL3 comes with a significantly revised and fresh menu navigation. User interface is always a very personal question, I like the new menu very much, even if some details in the early FW were not quite perfect. Many things have been reorganised and rethought (e.g. self-timer), which requires some adjustment at the beginning.

The most important thing: The main menu now only has eight entries - but these are configurable. This means that in addition to the freely assignable FN buttons and the now three control dials, these eight menu items have been added, which is why Wetzlar no longer provides the previous favourites, at least in the beta firmware, which is understandable.

There are many new useful and practical details, for example: The orientation of the icons adapts to the camera orientation and almost everything now has a touch function.

Overall, Wetzlar has placed great emphasis on a camera with very good and clear user interface (such as the new, uncluttered top display) and great functionality and flexibility at the same time. Of course, there will be some discussion and love for the previous solution, but for me, it is the right way to go, which also sets the concept apart from the competition.

And Many Things Are Easy

Leica FOTOS APP: Part of the test was also a new version of Leica FOTOS (4.5), in my case the iOS version. It worked well and without any problems, especially the transfer of GPS information via Bluetooth LE was (finally) very stable.

Flash: Profoto with the Connect pro for Leica and classic studio flash used intensively with the SL3, everything as expected without any problems (if you take into account the shortest flash synchronisation 1/200s).

Where The SL3 Is Not So Convincing

No content credentials: The M11-P was the first camera ever to come with content credentials and the C2AP standard, which makes digital processing reproducible. Certainly not necessary, but still a sensible step in the current era - just think of the infinite methods of image generation and editing with AI. It is not clear why the SL3, which was released around a half year later, does not have this feature, but it would have been desirable.

Compatibility with the old BP-SCL4 battery: The battery from the 601 and SL2 with its "only" 1,860 mAh (the new BP-SCL6 has 2,200 mAh) physically fits into the SL3 - but every time you activate it, you have to actively click away a warning message, which is extremely awkward. The reason for this is the significant limitations, especially with video (no 4k/8k), which the SL3 has with the old battery, which has around 15% less capacity. I firmly believe that a better solution can be found here than permanently confirming the old battery, which is simply impractical in everyday use. I have 6 "old batteries" in use, which will be no longer useful.

Battery performance: For me, the biggest question in the practical use of the SL3 was the battery performance in the test. In practice, up to firmware 0.7.2, this was not convincing. With 0.7.7 it feels better, but is still below average. Wetzlar is continuing to work on this and I am curious to see how the production model performs.

The Readout of the sensor is notoriously slow; flash sync is only 1/200s, so the camera feels slow overall. The long dark phase after shutter release in single frame mode (this will probably change with the final firmware).

The test model still came without the High Res Mode (multishot), which also came later with the SL2; I hope that this functionality will soon find its way into the SL3.

What's in the package? Leica is going the "iPhone way" with the SL3: the camera comes without a charger for the battery, but with a very high-quality USB-C cable that also delivers the 10Gb/s transfer speed. This is bound to be controversial; I already have 5 "old" chargers at my place, which is why I think it's a good thing, but it will annoy SL newcomers in particular. Instead, there is finally an (optional) charger for 2 batteries BC-SCL6.

SL3 and Lenses

In the course of the field test, I was able to try out a variety of lenses on the SL3, L-mount (Leica SL, Sigma, Panasonic), Leica-M and other adapted lenses. As with the SL2, everything went very smoothly and with the use of IBIS (if the focal length of the camera is known); M lenses are very easy to use with IBIS and the good EVF.

The APO-Summicron-SL lenses particularly shine on the SL3; their optical quality together with the new sensor are the true "dream combination". When it comes to handiness, the non-APO Summicron-SLs 35mm/50mm are unbeatable on the SL3, as is the very fast autofocus.

One lens in particular has proved its worth for my everyday use with the SL3, the new (finally...) APO-SL 21mm. The high optical quality and the extreme cropping capability of the sensor are extremely useful in practice.

And Overall

The new SL model is simply a joy to use and delivers optimum image quality. The tilting display and phase-detect AF are useful advances in everyday use, as is the smaller and lighter body. The new, modern menu navigation is very clear and the overall usability has improved even further. It is simply the consistent, in many details very well-thought-out evaluative continuation of the SL2 with a good dash of SL2-S thrown in.

The concept of the SL3 fits perfectly: the weeks between the end of the field test and the release of the first models take an infinitely long time for me...

More sample images

Some DNGs and JPGs

High-ISO comparison SL601/SL2/SL2-S/SL3

Pictures of the SL3

Opening animation

[HPFM]

Danke für das Review! Meine ist seit letztem September auf einer Vormerkliste und jetzt freue ich mich sehr, dass das so ist 😎

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[Eclectic Man]

Thanks for the review.  You state:

"... the active "dust shake" from the sensor, which you can hear and feel, is now practical."

So the SL3 has a sensor cleaning feature.  Is this automatic, or does it have to be selected?

[MediaFotografie]

vor 2 Minuten schrieb Eclectic Man:

Thanks for the review.  You state:

"... the active "dust shake" from the sensor, which you can hear and feel, is now practical."

So the SL3 has a sensor cleaning feature.  Is this automatic, or does it have to be selected?

thank you; you have to activate this feature every time you want to use it, in my eyes a good solution

[Planetwide]

Great review, thank you. When you say the readout is slow, how many frames per second would you estimate? Best guess, thx.

[MediaFotografie]

vor 3 Minuten schrieb Planetwide:

Great review, thank you. When you say the readout is slow, how many frames per second would you estimate? Best guess, thx.

thank you - but sorry, at the moment I have no answer to your question; just the felling is (really) slow in many aspects, for example flash sync only 1/200s

[SrMi]

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2 hours ago, MediaFotografie said:

Here is a collection of shots in the same setup SL 601, SL2, SL2-S and SL3 in all ISO settings for comparison.

That comparison should have been made with the same resolution.

[keeping_a_balance]

Thanks for the review!

 

[tom0511]

thank you for the review and the information!

[MakinMemories]

Thanks again for taking the time to do an early review!

[Geoff C. Bassett]

Good review, thanks for the information.

[jonoslack]

Hi there Thomas

I enjoyed that - very nicely done

all the best

Jonathan

 

[MediaFotografie]

vor 2 Stunden schrieb jonoslack:

Hi there Thomas

I enjoyed that - very nicely done

all the best

Jonathan

 

Hi Jonathan,

thank you very much!!!

It was an interesting test together with you and the others

 

thomas

[SrMi]

5 minutes ago, MediaFotografie said:

Hi Jonathan,

thank you very much!!!

It was an interesting test together with you and the others

 

thomas

In that context, I would like to thank all the testers. I know how much work and patience you have put into helping Leica get that camera out.

Edited March 9 by SrMi

[MediaFotografie]

...something curious: SL3 with adapter M to T (still the original with T) and M macro adapter and Macro-M 90mm

just to try it out (everything works up to the EXIF entry)

 

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[mboerma]

Thank you, Thomas, for the review. 

[rgacpa]

Very nice revue. Thank you.

One item I have not found in the manual is where the RCA port is for the shutter release cable, or if there is any shutter release cable available (pg. 28 #38 shows a USB-C type port, but no further mention is made in the manual.

Did you find some way to hold a cable and release the shutter? I'm sure Focus can do it, but that's not a really viable solution (especially in -10deg C weather!)

Thanks for any clarification you can provide.

[MediaFotografie]

vor 8 Stunden schrieb rgacpa:

Very nice revue. Thank you.

One item I have not found in the manual is where the RCA port is for the shutter release cable, or if there is any shutter release cable available (pg. 28 #38 shows a USB-C type port, but no further mention is made in the manual.

Did you find some way to hold a cable and release the shutter? I'm sure Focus can do it, but that's not a really viable solution (especially in -10deg C weather!)

Thanks for any clarification you can provide.

I used Leica's cable release (same as SL2) RC-SCL6; you can connect it to both sockets (audio in/out), exactly the same as SL2.

This part has a function for long time exposures - but I haven't tested this

[Photoworks]

14 hours ago, rgacpa said:

Very nice revue. Thank you.

One item I have not found in the manual is where the RCA port is for the shutter release cable, or if there is any shutter release cable available (pg. 28 #38 shows a USB-C type port, but no further mention is made in the manual.

Did you find some way to hold a cable and release the shutter? I'm sure Focus can do it, but that's not a really viable solution (especially in -10deg C weather!)

Thanks for any clarification you can provide.

That is a labeling issue if you ask me, the little space in the middle is not a port, it is the same on the SL2 but the input was labeled at 3.5 port.
The Instruction book does not mention the part number or functionality for photos and video.

just in the pix. 

37. Remote shutter release

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Eclectic Man]

In #15, what is the tripod adapter you used, please? (Lovely dinky Gitzo table top tripod too.)