The new Leica SL2.
It’s your choice.
Photography is about choices.
Seeing when others simply watch,
Slowing down when others rush,
Persevering when others give up,
Standing out when others hide.
Photography is about your choices:
Your story,
Your perspective,
Your reasons,
Your camera.
The quality of the SL2 is unparalleled. I’ve always depended on the best of equipment, and in my view, it doesn’t get any better than this.
Steve McCurry is regarded as one of the greatest masters of photography. His iconic work spans over 40 years and is today seen as a reference and benchmark for generations of photographers.
“I actually have tested the SL with other cameras, and to me there was no comparison, the quality is unparalleled. The really great German manufacturing, and the simplicity of the system, how you operate the buttons and the menu. Everything seemed really logical and very simple to use. But the main reason really was this incredible, unbelievable picture quality, you really have to see it to believe it!”
Steve McCurry, USA
Discover all details about
the new SL2!
Explore the feedback from international photographers, who already were able to experience our new milestone.
“The Leica SL2 has given me a lot of ease, a lot of simplicity. It has allowed me to focus on what was behind the lens. The Leica SL2 is a camera that comes from a way of doing and understanding that encourages many values. In how it is manufactured, how simple it is, how it looks in its appearance, in its shape and in what is inside this camera. The new Leica SL2 is a camera with soul. And it’s what will be a tool that will allow us to greatly improve our work.”
Francis Paniego, Spain
Overview
Design
Made to inspire
“I’ll shoot with the SL2 for photo shoots in a wide variety of different situations from social reportage to some the most beautiful fashion studios across the globe and the SL2 is a true beauty to wear around the neck so when you’re on a red carpet in Los Angeles rather than in Milan or Paris it’s a camera that gets always noticed!”
Materials
Crafted with conscience
“The Leica SL2 has such an amazing “made in Germany” feeling. It is the best quality I’ve come across in photographic equipment from the glass, the metal to the leather. Loving the new Leica SL2 and the way it allows me shoot.”
Alex Drewniak, Australia
The only mirrorless full format system camera designed and crafted in Germany, next to the Leica M, with an unmatched all metal solid construction and elegant leather wrap to withstand the time and deliver years of photographic pleasure, thanks to the sustainability guaranteed by consistent firmware updates.
Control and handling
Designed with photographers, for photographers
“I’m impressed by the new SL2 camera for many reasons: by the improved ergonomics, the design is now more rounded. The buttons recall the M10 and Q2 functional design, so for those like me that also owns other Leica cameras is far more comfortable getting them in the same spots, the complete mastery of the equipment is something that imparts serenity to the subject portrayed.”
Stefano Guindani, Italy
A unique user interface, separated for photo and video functions, simple and intuitive to allow the photographer to focus on picture taking and live an unparalleled experience, developed through feedbacks of customers and professional photographers worldwide.
Cine Mode
Professional film performance
“We mostly work with a RED camera and Leica M or Leitz Cine lenses. I recently shot a film in L log and sent the files to our color grader in Germany, who masters all of our video files. He didn’t know what camera we had used, and actually asked me if we’d been recording with a second RED. That’s when it became clear that I’d finally found a camera that produces the exact look I’m after. I have to say, this has been quite a developmental leap. It means that in future, I’ll be able to use this camera to shoot my video projects myself.”
Tino Scherer, Switzerland
With it’s 4k on full-frame and up to 60fps, the SL2 can perform exceptionally demanding video production tasks. Being separated from the photo-modes also means that that important settings such as ISO, shooting assistants, image style settings, are entirely independent of photo mode. Time consuming settings in sub-menus are avoided – meaning that the camera is correctly configured and ready to shoot at all times.
4K Video
Hollywood ready
“I was especially impressed by the camera’s video function. Not just by the different recording formats, but also by the frame-rate capacity of 180 fps in Full HD. This has basically opened up a whole new creative path for me, by allowing me to present my images in the form of moving pictures. You could say that the SL2 doesn’t mess around, but gets the job done – all while embodying the look and soul of a Leica camera.”
Patrick Domingo, Austria
EyeRes® Viewfinder
Perfect control in every situation
“The innovations and upgrades implemented in the Leica SL2 are quite dramatic, beginning with a new and improved EVF. Just looking through the viewfinder will give the photographer a complete and accurate “live” preview of the scene as it will be captured. The frame rate of the Leica SL2 has also been greatly increased. The fact that there is no noticeable time delay effectively closes this gap with single-lens reflex cameras.”
Katsumi Nakao, Japan
The improved EyeRes® EVF matches an outstanding 5.76MP panel with an eyepiece built with finest metal and glass and the tightest mechanical and optical tolerances to deliver an unmatched viewing experience, and allow the easiest composition of the image.
Powerful 47 MP CMOS Sensor
Performance redefined
“The Leica SL2 boasts a full-frame sensor that is packed with an astounding 47.3 million effective pixels, making it the first camera which I felt does full justice to the quality of the SL-lens. The level of detail is nothing short of stunning. In this picture, the beautiful “bokeh” of the SL lens paired with the high-resolution sensor of the Leica SL2 enabled me to capture an image that I feel evokes the gentle wind that was blowing through the flowers along the railway line at the time.”
Seiya Nakai, Japan
The unprecedented resolution of the SL2’s full frame CMOS sensor results in an unparalleled level of detail rendition and image quality. Enormous dynamic range, 14-bit color depth and a sensitivity of up to ISO 50,000 enable outstanding image quality in all lighting conditions. Even when combined with Leica TL lenses, which are designed for the smaller sensor format of the Leica TL2 and CL, the SL2’s sensor still delivers an excellent image resolution of over 20 megapixels.
| Camera | |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless Fullframe System Camera |
| Buffer memory | 4 GB: DNG™: 78 recordings / JPG: > 100 recordings |
| Storage medium | UHS-II (recommended), UHS-I, SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card |
| Material | Full-metal housing made of aluminum and magnesium, leatherette, cover, splash-water protected in compliance with IEC standard 60529 (protection type IP54). |
| Lens mount | Leica L bayonet with contact strip for communication between lens and camera |
| Operating conditions | -10 to +40°C |
| Interfaces | ISO accessory shoe with additional control contacts, HDMI jack 2.0b Type A, USB 3.1 Gen1 Type C, Audio-Out 3.5 mm/ Audio-In 3.5 mm, communication interface in the base cover for multifunction hand grip |
| Tripod thread | A 1⁄4 DIN 4503 (1⁄4”) with stainless steel in the base |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 146 x 107 x 42 mm |
| Weight | approx. 835 g (without battery) |
| Sensor | |
| Sensor size | CMOS sensor, pixel pitch: 4.3 μm / Fullframe (47.3 MP): 8368 x 5584 pixels / APS-C (20.2 MP): 5504 x 3664 pixels |
| Image Stabilization | 5 axis Body Image Stabilization. Camera stabilizes up to 5.5 stops. |
| Filter | RGB color filter, UV/IR filter, no low-pass filter |
| Processor | Leica Maestro series (Maestro III) |
| File formats | Photo: DNG™ (raw data), DNG + JPG, JPG (DCF, Exif 2.31) Video: MP4: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (Audio Format: 2ch 48 kHz/16 bit, AAC), MOV: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (Audio Format: 2ch 48 kHz/16 bit, AC-3) |
| Picture resolution | DNG™: 8368 x 5584 pixels (46.7 MP) JPG: 8368 x 5584 pixels (46.7 MP), 6000 x 4000 pixels (24 MP), 4272 x 2848 pixels (12 MP) |
| Color depth | DNG™: 14 bit, JPG: 8 bit |
| Color space | Picture: sRGB |
| Video: Rec. 709/Rec. 2020 (HLG)/L-Log | |
| File size | DNG™: 84.4 MB JPG: depending on resolution and image content Video: max. length: 29 min, max. file size: 96 GB |
| Recording Mode Video | Video mode: P - A - S – M / Cine mode: M |
| Video resolution/frame rate | MOV 5K: 29.97 fps, 25 fps, 23.98 fps / MOV C4K: 59.94 fps, 50 fps, 29.97 fps, 25 fps, 24 fps / MOV 4K: 59.94 fps, 50 |
| fps, 29.97 fps, 25 fps, 23.98 fps / MOV FHD: 180 fps, 150 fps, 120 fps, 100 fps, 59.94 fps, 50 fps, 29.97 fps, 25 fps, | |
| 23.98 fps / MP4 4 K: 59.94 fps, 50 fps, 29.97 fps, 25 fps, 23.98 fps / MP4 FHD: 180 fps, 150 fps, 120 fps, 100 fps, | |
| 59.94 fps, 50 fps, 29.97 fps, 25 fps, 23.98 fps | |
| Bit Rate | 8/10 bit for recordings on SD card, 10 bit via HDMI output |
| Video Gamma | Rec. 709, L-Log Rec. 2020, HLG Rec. 2020 |
| Viewfinder (EVF) | |
| Viewfinder (EVF) | Resolution: 5,760,000 dots, 120 fps, magnification: 0.78x, aspect ratio: 4:3, frame coverage: 100%, exit pupil position: 21 mm, setting range +2/-4 diopters, with eye sensor for automatic switchover between viewfinder and LCD panel, time delay 0.005 s |
| LCD panel | 3.2“ (backlight LED) with anti-fingerprint and anti-scratch coating, 2,100,000 pixels (dots), format 3:2, touch control available |
| Top display | 1.28“ highly reflective trans-reflective monochrome LCD, 128 x 128 pixels, viewing angle 120°; anti-fingerprint coating |
| Shutter | |
| Shutter type | Electronically controlled focal plane shutter/electronic shutter |
| Shutter speeds | Mech. shutter: 30 min to 1⁄8000 s / Electr. shutter function: 1 s to 1⁄40000 s / Flash Synch: up to 1/250 s |
| Shutter button | Two-stage (1st stage: Activation of the camera electronics including autofocus and exposure metering, 2nd stage: Taking the picture) |
| Self-timer | Delay time: 2 s or 12 s |
| Picture Series | Single Continuous Low Speed (3 fps), Continuous Medium Speed (6 fps), Continuous High Speed (10 fps without AFc/ AE/WB), Continuous Super Speed (20 fps with electr. shutter function without AFc/AE/WB), Interval Shooting, Exposure Bracketing, Multishot |
| Multishot | Generates 2 DNGs: 1x 47 MP, 1x 187 MP (8 pictures are combined into one high-res image) |
| Focusing | |
| Focus Mode | Automatic (Autofocus in modes iAF/AFs/AFc/Touch AF) or manual. With manual setting: Auto Magnification and Focus Peaking optionally available as focus aids |
| Autofocus system | Based on contrast metering and depth mapping |
| Autofocus modes | Smart AF (autonomously selects AFs and AFc), AFs (picture taken only after successful focusing), AFc (picture can be taken at any time), AF setting can be saved |
| Autofocus Metering Methods | Spot (can be shifted), Field (can be shifted), Multi-Field, Zone, Face detection, object Tracking, optional Touch AF |
| Autofocus Metering Fields | 225 |
| Exposure | |
| Exposure metering | TTL (‚Through The Lens‘ exposure metering) |
| Exposure Metering Methods | Spot, Center-Weighted, Multi-Field |
| Exposure modes | Automatic program (P), Aperture priority (A): manual aperture setting, Shutter priority mode (S): manual shutter speed setting Manual (M): manual setting for shutter speed and aperture |
| Exposure Compensation | ±3 EV in 1⁄3 EV increments or 1/2 EV increments |
| Automatic bracketing | 3 or 5 exposures, up to ±3 EV, in 1⁄3 EV increments Shift function: up to ±3 EV |
| ISO sensitivity range | Auto ISO: ISO 100 to ISO 50000, Manual: ISO 50 to ISO 50000 |
| White balance | Automatic (Auto), Daylight 5200 K, Cloudy 6000 K, Shadow 7000 K, Tungsten 3200 K, HMI 5600 K, Fluorescent Warm 4000 K, Fluorescent Cold 4500 K, Flash 5400 K, Gray Card Live View, Gray Card, Color Temperature 2000 K to 11500 K |
| Flash | |
| Flash unit connector | About the accessory shoe |
| Flash sync time | Flash : 1⁄2 50 s, slower shutter speeds available, automatic changeover to TTL linear flash mode with HSS-compatible Leica flash units if sync time is undercut |
| Flash exposure metering | Using center-weighted TTL pre-flash metering with Leica flash units (SF 26, 40, 40MkII, 58, 60, 64) or with systemcompatible flash units, flash remote control SF C1 |
| Flash exposure compensation | SF 40: ±2 EV in 1⁄2 EV increments, SF 60: ±2 EV in 1⁄3 EV increments |
| Equipment | |
| Microphone | Stereo internal + microphone input 3.5 mm stereo jack |
| Speaker | Mono internal + headphones output 3.5 mm stereo jack |
| WLAN | The Leica FOTOS app is required to use the WLAN function. The Leica app is available from the Apple App Store™ or the Google Play Store™. Compliant with Wi-Fi IEEE802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz, channel 1-11 (2412-2462 MHz) and Wi-Fi IEEE802.11ac, 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz, channel 39-48 (5180-5240 MHz), channel 52-64 (5260-5320 MHz), channel 100-140 (5500-5700 MHz) (standard WLAN protocol), encryption method: WLAN-compatible WPA™/WPA2™ |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v4.2 (Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)), 2402 to 2480 MHz |
| GPS | Via Leica FOTOS app |
| Menu languages | English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean |
| Power supply | |
| Rechargeable battery (Leica BP-SCL4) | Lithium-ion rechargeable battery, rated voltage: 7.2 V (DC); capacity: 1860 mAh (min.), approx. 370 recordings (based on CIPA standard, without EVF); charging time: approx. 140 min (after deep discharge); manufacturer: Panasonic Energy (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Made in China |
| USB Power Supply | USB charger function in standby mode or when switched off, USB power supply when switched on |
| Charger (Leica BC-SCL4) | Input: AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz, 0.25 A, automatic switchover; Output: DC 8.4 V 0.85 A; Manufacturer: Salom Electric (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., Made in China |
