The SL design - A radical change is needed

[Fgcm]

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Dear Leica,
this is a summary of my personal opinions.
I’m writing this open letter in the hope of contributing to the design of a new generation of Leica cameras that I will be very happy to buy.
 
Before talking about any specific camera, I wish to focus on what used to be the main topic for photographers in the past 15 years: dynamic range and specs of the electronics and of the autofocus.
 
Now a day, all sensors are quite good, and the “guts” of all modern cameras are converging on very powerful CPU paired with a phase AF sensor and a dual SD+CF memory slots, sometimes with in camera storage (M11).
 
In a word, all pro cameras are very similar from a “digital” point of view.
 
Nonetheless, the Big Four are quite different if compared from the perspective of actual usability, which I will focus on.
 
Using a camera basically means (i) seeing the subject trough the viewfinder, (ii) having the camera in the hands (weight and comfort) (iii) using the dials and the buttons at the fingertips without moving the hands and (iv) the lenses range. 
 
1a.         The viewfinder (optics)
Here, the SL family has an edge. The viewfinder of the SL family is simply perfect.
Other brands are catching up, but are not yet up to the Leica one
 
1b.         The viewfinder (electronics)
The change in perspective brings to a mixed result. The SL3 has longer blackouts like the Sony having the same sensor, which can be frustrating in some circumstances, or indifferent in other.
 
2.             Ergonomics - Comfort
From this perspective, none of the pro camera on the market seems designed thinking about the hands of the photographer. The SL3 is an edged box with a too large grip. On the other hand, I really like the two buttons on the front of the body. Weird that other brands didn’t the same.

The Sony 7 is as boxy, but, at least, is lighter. 
Canon here has an edge, but the design is 25 years old. They simply keep designing camera like they did in the film age.
 
Team Leica, please, design the SL4 starting from the hands and the eye of the photographer. 
The camera must be comfortable in the hands, at least 200 grams lighter and not boxy.
Make a rounded top cover with all buttons and dials easily accessible without changing the hands grip.
 
The size and the shape of the grip is a game changer: it is the point-of-contact between the photographer, or, if you prefer, the person who should pay the bill, and the camera. It must be comfortable.
 Would you buy a car with a boxy wooden chair? I think you would not. So, who should buy a camera having a disproportionate grip?
 
3.             Ergonomics – Using the camera
The Q is the only camera ticking 90% of the boxes: it’s so quick and simple because it has an aperture dial on the lens, with the “A” position as well as a speed dial on the top plate.
Using just two very easily accessible commands, the photographer can set the PASM and/or aperture and speed. Very clever.
The same for the focus ring: the autofocus and manual focus on the barrel with no additional buttons.
 
The downsides of the Q are the shape of the body, designed to look like the M instead of thinking of the hands of the photographer and the lack of the two buttons on the front of the body
 
Comparing the Q to the SL, the Q is the winner. This is weird. Why is Leica not learning from herself?
Not a surprise that the Q sells so well, the SL does not. I have no official data, but I see very many Q3 around and very few SL3.
  
What to say about the Japanese brands in this respect? They do not better, but in a different way. Instead of understanding how to make things simple and usable, they add buttons and dials not to say no to none and eventually they make none fully happy with the ergonomics.
 
Their sales points are generally the autofocus, the price and being jack-of-all-trades (which is not always a good thing).
 
4.             The lens range
Here the L alliance has the lead. The APO primes are gorgeous and lighter than the f1.4 competitors. 
Sigma lenses are quite good, and the Panasonic lenses are quite effective for video.
The only think I really could not understand is why Leica “L” lenses lack the aperture ring and a focusing ring like the one on the Q. Really, who knows? 
 
I rank Sony second after the L alliance. 
 
Canon and Nikon are catching up.

Conclusions
How will I choose my next camera in a market offering many different options all very capable?

For portability I will stick to my beloved Q3. There are no competitors offering anything like the Q. 
Will I add the 43mm to the 28? Maybe. I’ve not yet made my decision. 

Talking about mirrorless, by now, I’m keeping my SL2, mostly because I see no reason for “upgrading” to something I do not really use that much, like a better autofocus.

The SL2 ticks all my boxes paired with the gorgeous APO primes as well as the great DG-DN Sigma 2.8 lenses for portability (and the 45 f2.8 for its rendering, a great lens, indeed).

Will I buy another camera before my SL2 will pass away? Yes, if a maker will design a camera starting from my hands instead of a misconceived aesthetics with roots either in the design form the 90’ (Canon and Nikon) or stiching to a boxy design started ten years ago.

Eventually, Leica, with some effort, can make a great camera, a game changer, just re-designing the body of the camera.
The viewfinder is already great
The menus and the commands are simple and brilliantly refined
The lenses range is the best and widest of the market.
Some could ask for a more refined autofocus, but this is the job of Panasonic. Leica has just to push the supplier.
The missing point of the SL3 (way missing, I would say) are ergonomics of the body and of the lenses having no aperture ring and a Japanese focusing ring (Copy the Q!!!).

This is my honest opinion about the camera market in general and about Leica SL in particular.

I hope this could start a constructive and polite debate which could lead to a great SL4 and some improvements of the ergonomics of some Leica L lenses.

Franco

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[Smogg]

The big issue is grip comfort. The SL3 doesn't have a pronounced thumb rest, making the camera difficult to hold with one hand, as it wants to twist and slide out. 
I would call the grip of the X2D exemplary. On the X2D, you can do a lot of operations with one hand, without holding the lens with the other hand.

P.S. I really hope that the thumb up from match technical will change the situation

Edited November 2, 2024 by Smogg

[Ralf]

After more than 20 years with Nikon gear, I got an M9 when it came out, later  also an M9M. Subsequently I replaced my Nikon D3s with the SL2 and couldn't be happier with the ergonomics, handling and weight. To me, the autofocus could be a little faster and the battery life is a joke.

Added an M10 and M10M only recently and again, a clear improvement  also in ergonomics over the M9 series. I guess it all boils down to personal taste...

[LocalHero1953]

I could disagree with so many of the OP's requests and opinions, but all that would do is demonstrate, if it wasn't obvious, that everyone wants something different.