$12,199.00
Imaging quality, performance, and versatility: the record values achieved by the Leica SL deliver clear proof that the mirrorless full-frame camera is the technology of the future. An outstanding performance profile is not the only thing that speaks for the Leica SL. The professional character of the camera is also defined by a control concept reduced to essentials, excellent handling, and extremely rugged resilience.
Imaging quality, speed, and extremely rugged resilience: with record values in all areas, the mirrorless Leica SL finally puts an end to the need for traditional single lens reflex technology. In fact, it delivers conclusive proof that the mirrorless, full-frame camera is the technology of the future.
The Leica SL is the world’s first camera conceived for professional photography to feature an electronic viewfinder. With a latency time below the threshold of perception and a resolution of 4.4 million pixels, this EyeRes viewfinder developed especially for the Leica SL offers an entirely new visual experience. As its image can be electronically brightened, the EyeRes viewfinder is superior to optical viewfinders in a low or unfavourable light.
It also offers all the options and features that only an electronic viewfinder can. For instance, the viewfinder, with a size that is reminiscent of medium-format cameras, shows you how your final picture will look. The effects of all decisive parameters like exposure, depth of focus, and white balance are simulated and can thus be assessed before pressing the shutter release. Electronic functions like a dual-axis levelling aid, various grids, or Focus Peaking can be displayed in the electronic viewfinder to help you get the very best from your subjects. The Leica SL meets your professional video recording requirements with a zebra function for avoiding overexposure that can be added to the viewfinder image. The EyeRes viewfinder is activated in the simplest possible way – by looking through it. An integrated sensor switches it on and off to prevent unnecessary battery drain.
Capturing the ideal moment is not only essential in sports photography. In combination with the LEICA APO VARIO-ELMARIT-SL 90–280 mm f/2.8–4, the Leica SL has the fastest autofocus of any professional camera – including SLRs. The full travel of the lens, from infinity to its closest focusing distance, takes place in less than 110 milliseconds.
This completely new telephoto lens construction features double internal focusing, in which two lens elements move towards each other. This enables extremely fast and almost silent autofocus and consistently high imaging performance from infinity to the closest focusing distance.
Of course, the Leica SL offers you a choice of AF-C or AF-S, depending on your subject, and the ability to switch from autofocus to manual focus using the ring on the lens at any time. The Leica SL controls focusing on the basis of 49 AF focusing segments with exceptional speed and precision. For very detailed work, the camera also offers the ability to set a single AF focusing point anywhere in the viewfinder image. Focusing can be set either by a simple tap on the touch screen on the part of the subject you wish to focus on, or automatically, by enabling the face detection feature. The Leica SL focuses sharply on the face nearest to the camera. Another useful aid is subject tracking. Here, when a particular object is marked with a focusing point, the focus is held on this object and follows its movement.
The Leica SL is much more than a professional still-picture camera with video recording capability: it fulfils even the most stringent demands of moviemakers as a fully-fledged video camera. This begins with a clear and simple handling concept that clearly separates still and motion picture functions and ends with HDMI 1.4 output.
This allows professional videos to be output in 4:2:2 10-bit format with 4K cine resolution and the production of professional videos in combination with an HDMI recorder.
As soon as the Leica SL is in video mode, the display shows only relevant information for video recordings, such as safe area, aspect ratio, zebra function, or the recording level of the microphone. As you would expect from professional equipment, the exposure is always displayed as it is during recording. An optional audio adapter allows you to connect an off-camera microphone and the audio recording level can be set without accessing the menu. As when using the Leica SL for still pictures, you can also depend on the excellent quality of motion picture recordings and enjoy almost infinite creative freedom. In combination with the excellent Leica Summilux and Summicron Cine lenses, and by working with 4K resolution in Super 35 format, you gain access to possibilities that were otherwise known only to professionals in the production of movies for the motion-picture industry.
The exceptional speed of the Leica SL is down to the use of a Maestro II series high-performance processor. Thanks to this processor, the Leica SL achieves absolutely the best performance currently possible in the professional camera class and underlines the groundbreaking character of the camera. The Maestro II processor ensures that the camera responds instantaneously to every command. Every time.
Together with 2 GB of buffer memory, the processor makes it possible to capture consecutive exposures at rates of up to 11 frames per second with full 24-megapixel resolution and 4K video with a frame rate of 30 frames per second. Still pictures can be saved simultaneously in both JPEG and DNG format to an SD memory card by virtue of the fast UHS II standard.
The sensor of the Leica SL has 4000 × 6000 pixels with a pixel pitch of 6 × 6 µm on an active surface area with dimensions of 24 × 36 mm2. This means that you can depend on the imaging quality of a 35 mm, full-frame format. To ensure maximum image sharpness, Leica has intentionally left out the low-pass filter. At the same time, a specially designed pixel architecture ensures that more light falls on each individual photodiode. The result is an impressive dynamic range, excellent contrast rendition, exceptional sharpness, the highest resolution, and noise-free images in almost all lighting conditions.
Particularly in available-light situations, the interplay of the sensor with the Leica SL lenses reveals its full potential and captivates with atmospheric images of superior quality at ISO values of up to 50000. The sensor also plays a key role in terms of the compatibility of the Leica SL-System. For instance, it is optimized for use with Leica M-lenses and, in addition to supporting all functions, delivers a picture quality that can be achieved only by Leica cameras.
The handling concept of the Leica SL is true to the Leica principle of concentration on essentials – “das Wesentliche.” As a result, the Leica SL can be used intuitively by any photographer. Fewer controls and sophisticated, clear menus let you find the settings you need much faster. Numerous functions can be controlled directly and customized according to your personal preferences.
With the aid of the Favorites menu, you can then access your most important settings with a single click. The four buttons around the back panel display and two further function buttons can all be freely programmed. Navigation within menus is controlled by either the click wheel or the joystick. The required aperture and shutter speed are set with two separate dials. In addition to the shutter release and the dedicated video recording button, you will also find a button for switching between photo and video mode on the top plate of the camera. The stop-down button used to assess exposure and depth of focus is located on the front of the camera. Thanks to the touch screen, browsing through your exposures is child’s play. The handling concept of the Leica SL assists you in your work in the best possible way: the way you always wanted it to be.
The Leica SL was conceived to fulfil the special needs of everyday professional photography. From the elaborate construction with the finest materials to the precise finishing of all its components. Its chassis, machined from a block of solid aluminium, weighs only 847 g and offers perfect protection for the sensitive components inside the camera. The use of numerous seals in the camera body, its control elements, and the Leica SL-Lenses makes it virtually impossible for dust, moisture, or water to get inside.
Specially hardened front glasses with AquaDura® coating protect the lenses against dirt, dust, and moisture. The results can be viewed through the extremely scratch-resistant and anti-reflex coated real glass cover of the back panel display. The special feature here is that the cover glass and the LCD panel form a single entity – with no gaps that could let dust or dirt get inside.
With the Leica SL, the choice of lenses you can use is almost limitless. In addition to the lenses of the SL-System, Leica T/TL mount lenses can also be mounted on the camera without an adapter. Dedicated adapters provide access to many other excellent lenses from past and present Leica systems.
Seamless Integration
The Leica SL is designed and constructed for seamless integration into existing working environments and workflows. Image data can be saved in the future-proof DNG (Digital Negative) format, the only manufacturer-independent, standardised format that does not rely on dedicated RAW converters. USB 3.0 enables fast and stable tethered shooting with the camera connected to a computer.
The Leica Summilux-SL 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH. is the first prime lens for the Leica SL-System and sets a new standard on the market. Its large maximum aperture makes the high-performance lens the ideal partner in situations with challenging lighting conditions and enables the use of shallow depth of focus as a creative tool. Fast, precise and reliable autofocusing guarantee that photographers can concentrate fully on composition and creativity rather than on the search for optimum sharpness. The imaging performance of the lens fulfils the most stringent standards. Particularly when shooting at maximum aperture, the combination of its resolving power and soft bokeh in unsharp areas clearly isolates subjects from their surroundings. Thanks to uniform contrast rendition throughout the focusing range, this applies at all distance settings.
Camera Type | Mirrorless Fullframe System Camera |
Current Firmware | 2.0 |
Lenses | |
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Lens Mount | Leica L-Mount |
Applicable lenses | Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24–90 mm f/2.8–4 ASPH. Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90–280 mm f/2.8–4 Leica Summilux-SL 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH. Lenses from the Leica T Camera System, Leica M-Lenses with Leica M-Adapter T, Leica S-Lenses with Leica S-Adapter L, Leica R-Lenses with Leica R-Adapter L and Leica Cine lenses with Leica PL-Adapter L. |
Sensor | |
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Type | 24-MP-CMOS-Sensor (24 × 36 mm) |
Resolution | Full Frame (24 MP): 6000 × 4000 Pixel, APS-C (10 MP): 3936 × 2624 Pixel |
Filter | IR-Filter, no Lowpass Filter |
ISO | ISO 50–ISO 50000 |
Sensor Cleaning | Provided |
Processor | |
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Type | Leica Maestro II series |
Internal RAM | 2 GB: 33 DNGs or 30 JPEGs and DNGs |
Image | |
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Image Data Format | JPEG, DNG |
Colordepth | 14 bit (DNG), 8 bit (JPEG) |
JPEG Color Space | Adobe RGB, ECI RGB, sRGB |
Motion | |
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File Format | MP4, MOV |
Resolution | 4K (4096 × 2160) @ 24 fps; 4K (3840 × 2160) @ 25 and 30 fps; 1080 @ 24, 25, 30, 50, 60, 100 and 120 fps; 720 @ 24, 25, 30, 50, 60, 100 and 120 fps |
Bitrate | 8 bit (recording); 10 bit (HDMI not recording) |
Color sampling | 4:2:2/10 bit (HDMI only); 4:2:0/8 bit (recording on SD card) |
Video | L-Log selectable |
Audio | Manual/Auto; Stereo microphone, 48 kHz, 16 bit; Wind elimination |
Audio external via Audio-Adapter | Audio-In (3.5 mm phone jack), Audio-Out (3.5 mm phone jack) |
Movie Length | Max. duration: 29 min, Max. size: 4 GB |
EVF | |
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Resolution | SXAG, 4.4 MP |
Size | 0.66" |
Eye Point | 20 mm |
Field of View | 37° |
Magnification | × 0.80 (with 50 mm lens at infinity, −1 dpt) |
Frame coverage | 100 % |
Diopter correction | − 4 to +2 |
Eye Sensor | Yes |
Live View | Operating Modes: Video- and Photo-Live-View separated; Frame rate: up to 60 fps; Exposure simulation available, Optional information: Focus Peaking, Histogram, Clipping/Zebra, Level, Grid Overlay (3 × 3, 6 × 4), Aspect Ratio (1.33:1; 1.66:1; 1.78:1; 1.85:1; 2.35:1; 2.4:1), Safe Area (80 %; 90 %; 92.5 %; 95 %) |
Storage SD Cards | UHS-1: All UHS-1 SD cards UHS-2: Recommended cards*: SANDISK EXTREME PRO UHS2 CLASS3 [16GB] [32GB] [64GB] LEXAR PROFESSIONAL 1000x UHS2 CLASS3 [16GB] [32GB] [64GB] [128GB] [256GB] PROFESSIONAL 2000x UHS2 CLASS3 [32GB] [64GB] TOSHIBA EXCERIA PRO CLASS1 [16GB] [32GB] [64GB] [128GB] EXCERIA PRO CLASS3 [16GB] [32GB] [64GB] [128GB] TRANSCEND ULTIMATE UHS2 CLASS3 [32GB] [64GB] *Leica performs ongoing compatibility tests of the latest cards available in the market. However, due to changes in production and software of the SD cards, Leica can not guarantee 100% compatibility of the recommended cards. |
Focussing | |
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Type | Contrast AF |
Focus Modes | AF-S (focus priority), AF-C (shutter priority), MF, Touch-AF |
AF Modes | Static, Dynamic (tracking), Auto (face detection) |
AF Size | Point, Field, Zone (9 Fields) |
AF Steps | 1, 5, 37 or 49 Fields; 529 Spot Positions |
AF Assist Lamp | Built in |
Exposure | |
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Exposure Modes | Program Mode (P), Shutter speed priority mode (T) , Aperture priority mode (A) and manual mode (M) |
Exposure Metering Modes | Center weighted, Multi zone, Spot |
Exposure Compensation | ±3 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV-steps |
Exposure Bracketing | 3/5 images in 1/2/3 aperture steps; additional direct JPEG-HDR |
White Balance | Preset Auto, Daylight 5200 K, Cloudy 6000 K, Shade 7000 K, Tungsten 3200 K, HMI 5600 K, Fluorescent warm 4000 K, Fluorescent cool 4500 K, Flash 5400 K, Greycard, Manual color temperature 2000 K to 11500 K |
Shutter | |
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Type | Focal plane shutter |
Drive Modes | Single, Continuous slow S (4 fps), Continuous medium M (7 fps), Continuous fast F (11 fps), Self timer 2 s, Self timer 12 s, Interval, Exposure Bracketing, Time exposures up to 30 min |
Shutter speed | 1/8000 s to 60 s, time exposures up to 30 min, Max. frame rate 11 fps, 1/8000 s to 1/16000 s using electronic shutter mode |
Warranty | 2 years or 200,000 releases |
Flash | |
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Interface | Standard X-jack, Hot shoe with Sync. and TTL-Mode contacts |
X-Synchronization | 1/250 s |
Top Display | 1.28" highly reflective monochrome LCD; 128 × 128 dots; View angle 120°; Anti-fingerprint coating |
Housing | |
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Material | Milled Aluminium |
Dust/Spray water sealing | Provided |
Interfaces | USB 3.0 Micro Type B; HDMI Type A; Multi connector adapter for Audio-Out 3.5 mm/Audio-In 3.5 mm; Multi connector cable release; ISO accessory shoe with center and control contacts for flash units; Standard X-jack; Multifunctional interface in baseplate for optional handgrip |
Tripod threat | A 1/4 DIN 4503 (1/4") with anti-twist locking pin |
Dimensions/Weight | 147 × 104 × 39 mm (W × H × D)/approx. 771/847 g (without/with battery) |
Working conditions | Approx. 0°– 40 °C, max. 85 % humidity |
Scope of delivery | Camera body, Camera strap, Lens mount cap, Battery, Battery Charger with international adapter, USB 3.0-cable, Manual, Warranty Card, Leica Lens cleaning tissue |
Software | Remote Control (USB): Leica Image Shuttle SL; Remote Control (Wi-Fi): Leica SL app (Android/iOS) |