SL3 vs SL2 feel in hand

[o2mpx]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

There’s a small reduction in weight approximately 60g and a few mm shorter and narrower comparing the SL3 to the SL2. In actual usage, has anyone noticed a meaningful difference in practice vs the SL2?

Thinking about adding the SL3 for M lens use instead of a M11 for ibis and the evf. Have a SL2 currently but definitely not a fan of the weight; and deteriorating eyesight along with not so steady hands would keep M lenses in continuous use. 

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[LD_50]

I don’t notice much difference in weight with the SL native lenses attached (35 APO, 24-90, etc). Take the battery out of your SL2 and you’ll have a decent approximation (though the battery weighs more (I think around 100g) than the quoted difference in weight between the two cameras). 

I wrote up my opinion on the change from SL2-S to SL3-S in another thread, including the handling and weight differences. 

[Jeff S]

Other threads indicate that some prefer the ergonomics of the SL3, while others prefer the SL2. Likewise, some like to adapt M lenses to one or both, while others prefer to use native lenses with each system.  Only you can determine your preferences.  Fortunately, as your profile shows US residence, opportunities for rental or dealer demos are available.  
 

For your M, before making any decisions, be sure that your gear is well calibrated and that your eyes are corrected for distance and/or astigmatism. At near 75, with some hand tremors and changing eyesight, I’ve still been able to adjust to M use with RF only (now M10R/M) using glasses, a +.5 diopter, and appropriate shutter speeds. My SL2 serves complementary needs using the 24-90.  I keep my M lenses (28/35/50) on my M bodies.  The SL2 feels better in my hands than the SL3.

 

[Markey]

5 hours ago, o2mpx said:

There’s a small reduction in weight approximately 60g and a few mm shorter and narrower comparing the SL3 to the SL2. In actual usage, has anyone noticed a meaningful difference in practice vs the SL2?

Thinking about adding the SL3 for M lens use instead of a M11 for ibis and the evf. Have a SL2 currently but definitely not a fan of the weight; and deteriorating eyesight along with not so steady hands would keep M lenses in continuous use. 

As I`ve said in another thread I noticed a difference in the handling sufficient to plan to pick up an SL3 sometime in the future.

Up until that point I`ve never been interested in the new model.

I agree it not obvious from the quoted figures but never the less ,for me ,it was apparent.

I`ve been thinking about this further and maybe its because I`ve never been totally happy with he handling of my SL2s so any "improvement" was noticeable.

[Gateway77]

Personally I find a considerable difference of 'feel' in the hand, especially with M lenses.  This is of course very subjective and down to personal opinion.

I haven't used my SL2-S really at all since I bought  my SL3.  This is just out of choice of what to pick up on the day and I prefer the SL3.

(I also can't quite bring myself to sell the SL2-S - as it feels so 'quality' in my hands, even if I'm not using it. 😂

[Biotar]

vor 19 Minuten schrieb Gateway77:

(I also can't quite bring myself to sell the SL2-S - as it feels so 'quality' in my hands, even if I'm not using it. 😂

... and that's why I think the SL2 combines better with M lenses 😉

[wjdrijfhout]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Most of the weight-loss is not because the camera is smaller. In fact, SL3 is slightly bigger than the SL2. It is narrower but significantly thicker. It is more chunky, less sleek. It results in a different weight-distribution and quite a different grip. 

Most of the weight-loss comes from the different materials, more magnesium, less aluminum. It's quite apparent with the tactile feel of the rotating knobs.

Together these differences in haptics make what many describe as a 'less quality' feel. It's more SoNiCa, less Leica.

A 60g weight difference won't make a difference carrying it the bag. It can make a difference when you hold it in your hands, either positive or negative. Handling is always a personal thing. I have owned the SL1, SL2 and SL3, and find the SL3 has the worst handling. I would strongly advise to borrow/rent first and see how handling works for you. Perhaps you'd largely prefer the SL3, perhaps you appreciate your SL2 more for what it is.

From a specs perspective there are three main improvements in SL2 vs SL3: 13M more pixels, somewhat improved AF and the tilting screen. In your use-case with M-lenses, the AF is irrelevant, leaving more megapixels and tilting screen as the main differentiators. Personally I regret having upgraded.

 

[jaapv]

Even if one might notice a weight difference between the cameras when picking up the respective bodies side by side, in use, especially with a solid lens mounted, the difference is not noticeable - it is the weight of one battery.

[Elliot Harper]

I had both for a short period of time. When switching from one to the other, I can notice the difference of size and weight. But after holding one for a while, I don't feel anything.

[Ken Abrahams]

I notice the difference all the time. I am mainly using the SL3 and SL3S but the SL2S is still very active in my shooting. I used the SL2S without the RRS L bracket last night and the feel of the camera is quite different. It's the body angles of the SL2S which are "square" compared to the SL3/S. When I pick up the SL3 or SL3S I also notice the weight difference, its only small but I notice that along with its shape. It's undeniably different to the SL2S. The SL2S feels indestructible in my hands compared to the SL3 models. It may be the CF card housing that has a plastic or lighter feel compared to the tank design of the SL2S