Leica SL3

Leica's top-end mirrorless model gains a 60MP sensor, tilting screen, and significantly improved autofocus. Andy Westlake takes a detailed look

- Andy Westlake

The Leica SL3 is the latest in the firm’s line of pro-spec full-frame mirrorless models, which started with the original 24MP SL back in 2015. This was a camera built unashamedly for professionals, with an extremely robust body supported by superb optics. Four years later, the SL2 appeared with a 47MP sensor and more streamlined operation. Now its successor maintains the same philosophy, but gains many of the updates that we saw last year in the Q3 full-frame compact.

Key updates include a 60MP sensor, 8K video recording, and a tilting rear screen. Autofocus is improved by the addition of both subject recognition and on-sensor phase detection. This brings the SL3 much closer into line with other top-end full-frame models, in terms of headline features. 

However, at £5,920 body-only, the Leica SL3 is much more expensive than its mainstream competitors. Most obviously, the Sony Alpha A7R V is also built around a 60MP sensor and offers a very similar feature set. Other alternatives include the Canon EOS R5 and Nikon Z 8; all three cameras can be bought for two-thirds of the price. So why might you consider paying such a premium for the Leica?

Features

Let’s take a tour through the Leica SL3’s key features. Like the Q3, it’s built around a 60MP full-frame sensor which includes phase detection for autofocus – the first time we’ve seen this on a Leica mirrorless camera. It provides a standard sensitivity range covering ISO 100-100,000, with ISO 50 also available at the expense of highlight range. You don’t have to shoot 60MP files all the time, though, as you can also record both JPEGs and DNG raw files at either 36MP or 18MP.