SL3 - New Firmware 3.1.1 - That's It?

[LocalHero1953]

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Repeat after me: "Just because something looks and feels well-made, does not mean that it is well-made and will be robust and reliable"!

Edited December 7 by LocalHero1953

[RBB]

2 hours ago, colonel said:

I disagree strongly with the statements, mostly from people who are using the SL2, that the SL3 has no advantages. 

I also think the SL3 is a better camera, but with the knowledge I have now, I don't think the upgrade is worth it, but that is of course my humble opinion.

[Markey]

4 hours ago, PhotoCruiser said:

I had the SL3 and my SL2 in my hand at the Leica Shop Zürich when i bought the SL2.
There is certainly a update and better things, for me some more important than others like the tilt screen.
What i immediately noticed is that the SL3 felt a bit more comfy in my hands and that matters to me as i don't use neck straps and my cameras are either (also for hours)  in my hand or in a bag. However, this and the other new features was not the reason to fork out another 3K for the SL3 but depending on the new features it may be a resason too buy a new SL4.
For some the upgrades may matter for others not so much.

I agree with the Nikon Z8 statement and the satisfaction about Leica , but not really sure about superior build of the Leica.
The Leica certainly feels better made and leave a sturdier impression than my D800 or the Z8, but not sure what camera will outlast the other under heavy use.

Chris

When I first handled an SL3, not long after they were released, I too found it a lot more comfortable than my SL2s.

There was some scepticism expressed at the time because the figures didn`t seem to suggest that it should feel any different.

I had the opportunity to grapple with one yesterday and can confirm that my initial instincts were correct.

Much more comfortable than my SL2s and less slab like too..

[Jeff S]

9 hours ago, colonel said:

I disagree strongly with the statements, mostly from people who are using the SL2, that the SL3 has no advantages. 
 

 

I, for one, never wrote that it had no advantages.  Weight, tilt screen, sensor specs, etc would be among them.  I don’t personally find these compelling for my use, however, surely not for the roughly $6k, before tax, that the typical US dealer would additionally require in trade for my excellent condition SL2. I would not expect any significant improvements in my pics/prints and, for me, there would also be disadvantages, including grip, shutter, on/off simplicity, new menu learning curve, etc. Of course these are personal assessments after handling, not recommendations for others.

Choices are good. 

[Markey]

My interest in the 3 is purely practical because my SL2s isn`t functioning properly.

Despite having the three function buttons on the back kindly cleaned for me by my local dealer the "Play" button still has a propensity to jam which disables the "Menu" function and when raising the camera to shoot all I`m presented with is a series of past shots in the viewfinder .

The problem is erratic and the advice is to return the camera to Leica for servicing ..

To be fair that "Play " button was stiff when I bought the camera new a few years ago and I probably should have mentioned it then.

Just the back story as to why I`m looking at the 3 otherwise I would have most probably stuck with my 2s.

 

 

[jaapv]

Mine is stiff/ clicky as well. It think it is not uncommon. 

[Markey]

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1 hour ago, jaapv said:

Mine is stiff/ clicky as well. It think it is not uncommon. 

Ah ... thanks for that .

Interesting .

I thought the fact that I use it in rough outdoor situations may have been a contributing factor but ,of course so do you.

Probably worse than me in as much as , I`m guessing , its dusty conditions whereas with me its damp and muddy .

From what you say though it seems as if the assembly may be the culprit.

 

[RBB]

The choice is getting a bit more complicated. The trade-in price for an SL3 is disappointing, especially if I replace it with an SL2s. It'll be slightly better if I buy a new SL3s. The offer for the SL2, on the other hand, is reasonable. Perhaps I'll trade the SL2 for a used SL3s and then continue with an SL3 and SL3s. It will cost me a rib and a kidney, but the small (sort of) difference makes it explainable (sort of).😉

[Paul2660]

On 12/6/2025 at 2:17 PM, Jeff S said:

Actually it is a new shutter, to accommodate the smaller body, and the sound is not as nice as in the SL2 IMO. 

I should have clarified,  I meant no new shutter features. They really need to figure out a way to add EFC for longer lenses. 
 

As for the sound I can’t tell really any difference from the SL2. 
 

Paul

[jonoslack]

On 12/6/2025 at 9:16 PM, SrMi said:

From @jonoslack's SL3 review:

The New Shutter
To help keep the size down the SL3 has a new mechanical shutter, it's fractionally louder than the shutter of the SL2, which is a pity.

Edit: Some prefer the SL3's shutter sound to the SL2's.

Kristian Downling on Shutter Sound and why Leica changed it (supplier).

Thanks for the link to Kristian's page - on this evidence I'd say that the SL3 just sounds different, and perhaps better!

best

 

[Jeff S]

6 hours ago, jonoslack said:

Thanks for the link to Kristian's page - on this evidence I'd say that the SL3 just sounds different, and perhaps better!

best

 

I have no idea how those sounds are recorded, but if my SL2 shutter sounded like the single shot SL2/S audio he linked, I’d think about sending it in for service.  Mine emits a far quieter, far less shrill, little ‘snip’. Barely noticeable. When I compared it side by side with my friend’s SL3, I preferred the SL2; same with the grip. Hardly a dealbreaker; just my experience. 

[LBJ2]

1 hour ago, Jeff S said:

I have no idea how those sounds are recorded, but if my SL2 shutter sounded like the single shot SL2/S audio he linked, I’d think about sending it in for service.  Mine emits a far quieter, far less shrill, little ‘snip’. Barely noticeable. When I compared it side by side with my friend’s SL3, I preferred the SL2; same with the grip. Hardly a dealbreaker; just my experience. 

This quick recorded shutter sound comparison seems closer–more realistic to what I think I hear between my SL2 and SL3 cameras *listening to the video via my Apple Studio Display speakers. As always YMMV.

Starting at about the 0:26 marker to 0:34 in the video

 

Edited Tuesday at 11:35 PM by LBJ2

[Jeff S]

15 minutes ago, LBJ2 said:

This quick recorded shutter sound comparison seems closer–more realistic to what I think I hear between my SL2 and SL3 cameras *via my Apple Studio Display speakers. As always YMMV.

Starting at about the 0:26 marker to 0:34 in the video

 

I’ve seen that and had the same reaction as my comment above.  Far different putting a camera against a microphone vs holding it in front of me and listening just with my ears.  My SL2 sounds nothing like that amplified sound in real shooting conditions… just a pleasant and quiet little snip.  It’s like comparing a person’s amplified voice at a podium vs hearing them in normal conversation off in a quiet corner.

Edited Tuesday at 11:51 PM by Jeff S

[jonoslack]

10 hours ago, Jeff S said:

I have no idea how those sounds are recorded, but if my SL2 shutter sounded like the single shot SL2/S audio he linked, I’d think about sending it in for service.  Mine emits a far quieter, far less shrill, little ‘snip’. Barely noticeable. When I compared it side by side with my friend’s SL3, I preferred the SL2; same with the grip. Hardly a dealbreaker; just my experience. 

Hi Jeff

Well, that was my first response, but I've given my SL2 to my son - he's only 10 miles away, but I don't want to be disappointed all over again!

best