Fast. Rugged. Mirrorless.
Image quality, performance, and versatility: with numerous record-breaking specs, the Leica SL proves that the mirrorless full-frame camera is the technology of the future. But it’s not just the specs that speak for the Leica SL system. Its operating concept—streamlined to the essentials—along with its excellent handling and extreme durability, set it apart as a professional camera.
Mirrorless
A Superior System
Image quality, speed, and exceptional durability: With record-breaking performance across the board, the mirrorless Leica SL undermines all the arguments that previously supported sticking with the old SLR technology. Furthermore, it provides multiple pieces of evidence that the mirrorless full-frame camera is the technology of the future.
Light passes through the Lens directly onto the sensor, which continuously delivers a live image to the electronic viewfinder. This live image takes into account all set camera and exposure parameters and displays additional information upon request. It displays 100 percent of the image. The image in the EyeRes viewfinder can be zoomed in on, for example, to check focus and details.
Unlike an SLR camera, you can see an image in the viewfinder even while recording videos.
Regardless of the Lens’s aperture, the viewfinder image is always equally bright and high-contrast. Even when the aperture preview button is pressed, the image remains bright, making it much easier to assess depth of field than with an SLR camera.
Even lenses that do not cover the full image circle produce a full-frame viewfinder image, since the sensor’s recording format can be switched electronically.
The elimination of the mirror mechanism allows for a slimmer camera design. As a result, the Leica SL’s side profile measures just 35 mm.
Thanks to the elimination of the SLR mechanism, the Leica SL is less prone to malfunctions. It also operates more quietly, since there is no mirror flipping.
Due to the short flange focal distance, many lenses can be mounted using appropriate adapters—even cine lenses.
EyeRes Viewfinder
The next generation of viewfinder technology
The Leica SL is the world’s first professionally designed camera with an electronic viewfinder. With a latency below the threshold of perception and a resolution of 4.4 million pixels, the EyeRes viewfinder—developed specifically for the Leica SL—offers a completely new viewing experience. The EyeRes viewfinder is superior to optical viewfinders, especially in low-light conditions, as its image can be electronically brightened.
Added to this are all the possibilities that only an electronic viewfinder can offer. The viewfinder, whose size is reminiscent of medium-format cameras, shows you the final image. All key parameters—such as exposure, depth of field, and white balance—are simulated and can thus be assessed before you press the shutter button. Electronic aids such as a two-axis level, various grids, or focus peaking can be displayed in the electronic viewfinder and help you get the most out of your subject. The Leica SL underscores your professional standards in video production with a zebra function that can be displayed in the viewfinder to prevent overexposure. The EyeRes viewfinder is activated in the simplest way possible—by looking through it. A sensor prevents the battery from being unnecessarily drained.
High-Speed Autofocus
Faster than any SLR system
Capturing the right moment isn’t just important in sports photography. When paired with the LEICA APO-VARIO-ELMARIT-SL 1:2.8–4/90–280mm, the Leica SL boasts the fastest autofocus of any professional camera—including SLR cameras. In less than 110 milliseconds, the camera focuses from infinity to close range.
The completely newly developed telephoto zoom lens is equipped with a dual internal focusing system in which two lens elements move toward each other. This enables extremely fast, quiet autofocus—and consistently high optical performance from infinity to close-up.
Of course, the Leica SL allows you to choose between AF-C and AF-S depending on the subject, or to override the automatic mode at any time by manually focusing on the Lens. The Leica SL adjusts focus quickly and precisely based on up to 49 focus points. For more detailed work, however, you also have the option to position a single AF point continuously. Alternatively, you can set the focus by simply tapping the corresponding area of the image on the touchscreen or automatically using face detection. In this case, the Leica SL focuses on the face closest to the camera. Another useful feature is subject tracking, which continuously adjusts focus to a previously selected subject as it moves.
4K Video
For moving and moving images
The Leica SL is more than just a professional still camera with an added video function: it also meets the highest standards as a full-fledged video camera. This starts with the intuitive control concept, which clearly separates the two functions, and extends to output via HDMI 1.4.
This allows professional videos to be output in 4:2:2 10-bit at cine resolution (4K). When used with HDMI recorders, this enables the creation of professional-quality videos.
As soon as the Leica SL is in video mode, the display shows only relevant information such as the safe area, aspect ratio, zebra function, or microphone level. As you’d expect from professional equipment, the exposure is always displayed exactly as it is during recording. External microphones can be connected via the optional audio adapter, and audio levels can be adjusted without accessing the menu. Just as when using the Leica SL as a still camera, you can rely on the excellent quality of the footage when recording video and enjoy virtually unlimited creative freedom. In combination with the outstanding Leica Summilux and Summicron Cine lenses and the ability to shoot in 4K resolution in Super 35 format, you’ll discover possibilities previously known only from feature film production.
Maestro II Processor
Responsive in Every Situation
The high-performance processor from the Maestro II series forms the foundation for the Leica SL’s speed. With this processor, the Leica SL achieves performance levels that set the absolute benchmark in the professional camera class, thereby underscoring the camera’s forward-looking character. The Maestro II processor ensures that the camera responds to all commands without delay. At all times.
Together with 2GB of RAM, the processor enables a continuous shooting speed of up to 11 frames per second at full 24MP resolution and 4K video recording at 30 frames per second. Images can be saved simultaneously as JPEG and DNG files in the fast UHS II standard to an SD card
24-MP-CMOS sensor
Superior image quality under all conditions
The Leica SL’s sensor features 4,000 x 6,000 pixels with a 6x6 µm² pixel pitch across an active area of 24 x 36 mm². This means you can rely on the image quality of the full 35mm format. To ensure maximum image sharpness, the Leica SL does not use a low-pass filter. In addition, a special pixel architecture ensures that more light reaches each individual photodiode. The result is an impressive dynamic range, excellent contrast reproduction, outstanding sharpness, the highest level of detail, and noise-free images under virtually all lighting conditions.
Especially in available-light situations, the sensor, in combination with the Leica SL lenses, demonstrates its full potential and impresses with atmospheric images of the highest quality, with an ISO range that can be set as high as 50,000. The sensor also plays a key role in the SL system’s compatibility. It has been optimized for use with Leica M lenses, ensuring not only full functionality but also the image quality you’ve come to expect from Leica cameras.
Operation and Handling
Intuitive to use, fits perfectly in the hand
The Leica SL’s operating concept follows the maxim: reduction to the essentials. This makes the Leica SL intuitive for any photographer to use. With just a few controls and uncluttered menus, you can quickly access the desired setting. Many functions can be controlled via direct access and customized to suit your personal preferences.
Using the Favorites menu, you can access your most important functions with a single click. The four buttons surrounding the back panel display and two additional function buttons are fully customizable. You can navigate through menus using the click wheel or joystick. Aperture and shutter speed are controlled via two separate adjustment dials. In addition to the shutter release button and a dedicated record button for video, you’ll find another button on the top of the camera to switch between photo and video modes. On the front of the camera, you’ll find the preview button for assessing exposure and depth of field. Navigating through your shots is a breeze thanks to the touchscreen. The Leica SL’s operating concept supports your work in the best possible way: exactly the way you want it.
Robust and Durable
Perfectly Crafted. Built to Last
The Leica SL was developed to meet the specific demands of a professional’s daily routine—from its sophisticated design and carefully selected materials to its precise craftsmanship. The aluminum body, milled from a solid block and weighing just 847g, is built for the toughest conditions and provides perfect protection for the technology inside the camera. The use of numerous seals on the body, controls, and Leica SL lenses makes it virtually impossible for dust and water splashes to penetrate.
Specially hardened front elements with an AquaDura® coating also protect the lenses from contamination. You can evaluate the results through the display’s extremely scratch-resistant real glass, which features an anti-reflective coating. What makes it special: The cover glass and LCD panel form a single unit—with no gap—to prevent dirt from entering.
