Leica has just announced the SL2-S, a more modest version of last year’s SL2. Just like its predecessor, the SL2-S is also focused more on video creators, but of course, it doesn’t leave photographers behind either.
The Leica SL2-S features a significantly smaller resolution than the SL2. It packs a 24.6MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor, while the older model comes with a 47.3MP sensor. But on the other hand, the continuous shooting speed is higher in the new model. Compared to the SL2’s maximum of 20fps, the SL2-S can shoot up to 25fps. The ISO ranges between 100 and 100,000, which is another improvement over the SL2’s maximum ISO of 50,000.
The new camera features a contrast-detect AF system with 225 selectable AF areas. It has 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization, which also enables the Multishot mode. This mode lets you capture and compile eight separate photos to create a single 96MP file. As for the video, the Leica SL2-S shoots DCI 4K Video and features HLG and 10-bit recording.
Let’s check out the complete specs and more photos:
| Imaging | |
| Lens Mount | Leica L |
| Camera Format | Full-Frame (1x Crop Factor) |
| Sensor Resolution | Effective: 24.6 Megapixel (6072 x 4056) |
| Aspect Ratio | 1970-01-01 03:02:00 |
| Sensor Type | CMOS |
| Image File Format | DNG, JPEG |
| Bit Depth | 14-Bit |
| Image Stabilization | Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis |
| Exposure Control | |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 50 to 100000 |
| Shutter Speed | Mechanical Shutter |
| 1/8000 to 500 Second | |
| Bulb Mode | |
| Electronic Shutter | |
| 1/16000 to 60 Second | |
| Metering Method | Center-Weighted Average, Multi-Zone, Spot |
| Exposure Modes | Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority |
| Exposure Compensation | -3 to +3 EV (1/3 EV Steps) |
| White Balance | Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent (Cool White), Fluorescent (Warm White), Halogen, Shade, Tungsten, White Balance Adjustment |
| Continuous Shooting | Mechanical Shutter |
| Up to 9 fps at 24.6 MP for Unlimited Frames (Raw) / Unlimited Frames (JPEG) | |
| Up to 5 fps at 24.6 MP for Unlimited Frames (Raw) / Unlimited Frames (JPEG) | |
| Up to 2 fps at 24.6 MP for Unlimited Frames (Raw) / Unlimited Frames (JPEG) | |
| Electronic Shutter | |
| Up to 25 fps at 24.6 MP for Unlimited Frames (Raw) / Unlimited Frames (JPEG) | |
| Interval Recording | Yes |
| Self-Timer | 2/12-Second Delay |
| Video | |
| Recording Modes | H.264/MOV 4:2:2 10-Bit |
| DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 24.00p/25p/29.97p [400 Mb/s] | |
| UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p [400 Mb/s] | |
| Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [200 Mb/s] | |
| H.264/MOV 4:2:0 8-Bit | |
| DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 50p/59.94p [150 Mb/s] | |
| UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 50p/59.94p [150 Mb/s] | |
| Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 100p/119.88p/180p [20 Mb/s] | |
| H.264/MP4 4:2:0 8-Bit | |
| UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [100 to 150 Mb/s] | |
| Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p/180p [20 to 150 Mb/s] | |
| External Recording Modes | 4:2:2 10-Bit |
| DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 24.00p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p | |
| UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p | |
| Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p | |
| 4:2:0 8-Bit | |
| UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p | |
| Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/120p/180p | |
| Recording Limit | Unlimited |
| Video Encoding | NTSC/PAL |
| Audio Recording | Built-In Microphone (Stereo) |
| External Microphone Input (Stereo) | |
| Audio File Format | AAC, Linear PCM |
| Focus | |
| Focus Type | Auto and Manual Focus |
| Focus Mode | Continuous-Servo AF (C), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S) |
| Autofocus Points | Contrast Detection: 225 |
| Viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic (OLED) |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 5,760,000 Dot |
| Viewfinder Eye Point | 21 mm |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 1 |
| Viewfinder Magnification | Approx. 0.78x |
| Diopter Adjustment | -4 to +2 |
| Monitor | |
| Size | 3.2″ |
| Resolution | 2,100,000 Dot |
| Display Type | Fixed Touchscreen LCD |
| Flash | |
| Built-In Flash | No |
| Maximum Sync Speed | 1/250 Second |
| Flash Compensation | -2 to +2 EV (1/3 EV Steps) |
| Dedicated Flash System | TTL |
| External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Interface | |
| Media/Memory Card Slot | Dual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) |
| Connectivity | USB Type-C (USB 3.1), HDMI A (Full Size), 3.5mm Headphone, 3.5mm Microphone |
| Wireless | Bluetooth |
| Wi-Fi | |
| Environmental | |
| Operating Temperature | 14 to 104°F / -10 to 40°C |
| Physical | |
| Battery | 1 x BP-SCL4 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 7.2 VDC, 1860 mAh (Approx. 510 Shots) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 5.7 x 4.2 x 3.3″ / 146 x 107 x 83 mm |
| Weight | 2 lb / 931 g (Body with Battery and Memory) |
The Leia SL2-S is now ready for preorders and it costs $4,895. It’s expected to start shipping on 21 December 2020.