SL3 colors vs SL2-s

[SudaliuS]

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Hello everyone!
I have recently owned an SL2-s along with my M11 and lately I have been increasingly drawn to pick up the SL2-s. In this regard, I have thoughts of buying an SL3 instead of the SL2-s. But I am worried about the moment with the color from the camera. I really like the tonality of the SL2-s, it is a bit cinematic, as if muted. What I saw in the pictures from the SL-3 reminds me more of shots from Sony cameras, the color gamut of which goes more into violet or blue.

What can you say about this? Are there any users who have switched from the SL2-s to the SL-3? How do you like the colors at the output and do you regret the replacement?

[CptSlevin]

14 hours ago, SudaliuS said:

Hello everyone!
I have recently owned an SL2-s along with my M11 and lately I have been increasingly drawn to pick up the SL2-s. In this regard, I have thoughts of buying an SL3 instead of the SL2-s. But I am worried about the moment with the color from the camera. I really like the tonality of the SL2-s, it is a bit cinematic, as if muted. What I saw in the pictures from the SL-3 reminds me more of shots from Sony cameras, the color gamut of which goes more into violet or blue.

What can you say about this? Are there any users who have switched from the SL2-s to the SL-3? How do you like the colors at the output and do you regret the replacement?

I had M10, M10-R and Leica SL2S and when I tested M11, SL3, SL3S I was completely disgusted by its' color, it has so much magenta shift and bleak tonality, so I decided to stay with M10 and SL2S.

But , color is subjective.

[LD_50]

I switched from SL to SL2S to SL3S and have no issue with color. I use C1. 

[jaapv]

I always profile my camera. I think that SL2s color will be quite satisfactory for you, after you equalize the profile for both cameras. Worst case: Have Leica adjust your M11 to get to SL2S level. SL3 colour can easily match the SL2S. 

[Jean-Michel]

Do as Jaapv suggests, profile your cameras.

Probably the easiest way — that is the one I have used since going 'digital' — is to create  single and/or dual illuminants profiles using the X-rite ColorChecker system. I use their Passport ColorChecker. They now are called Calibrite. There is no particular difficulties in making the profiles. 

Even without doing this calibration, checking the different profiles in LR may be what you need; and you can also make different presets to match your preferred outcomes. Note that presets and profiles are not the same thing; a profile gives you a base to work from — all develop sliders are set to zero —, a preset shows the sliders wherever you chose to make the preset.

[Jeff S]

And of course one can change LR default import settings to suit.

The ColorChecker can also be used for white balance and other color corrections.

Edited September 1 by Jeff S

[Photoworks]

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On 8/31/2025 at 10:26 AM, SudaliuS said:

Hello everyone!
I have recently owned an SL2-s along with my M11 and lately I have been increasingly drawn to pick up the SL2-s. In this regard, I have thoughts of buying an SL3 instead of the SL2-s. But I am worried about the moment with the color from the camera. I really like the tonality of the SL2-s, it is a bit cinematic, as if muted. What I saw in the pictures from the SL-3 reminds me more of shots from Sony cameras, the color gamut of which goes more into violet or blue.

What can you say about this? Are there any users who have switched from the SL2-s to the SL-3? How do you like the colors at the output and do you regret the replacement?

DNG files are just raw files; different cameras can look the same from profiles.

In my experience  SL2 Sl2s Sl3 and SL3s are very close that you can buy with confidence.  M11 has a beautiful image quality, but needs more care and edits.

Keep in mind that different programs offer different results.
My Favorite is Capture One, the camera profiles are amazingly good to start with, so I have not found any benefit in making ColorChecker profiles myself.
Lightroom has a different system and changes over time. Often, the initial support is very off in color, gradiation, and noise. It gets updated and better over time, but they don't actually tell you when it is safe to use. I had it with M10-R and SL2, and now Panasonic S1RII.
I it not a problem for me since I'm used to Capture One, they collaborate with manufacturers like Leica and have good profiles for your camera when they come out.
Dxo and OnOne have initial settings that are too much contrast and saturation, you have to dial them down quite a bit to make them look good and natural.

In conclusion, SL2-s and SL3 have very similar color and noise response, just that the SL3 has more resolution and better AF, and a bit of a tilting screen. For Video, all SL3 options have a bit of a crop.