Leica SL2-S Review: Camera Specs, Features, Price and More

Leica has released the new SL2-S, a full-frame interchangeable lens mirrorless camera. The SL2-S is a variation of the SL2 that came out in 2019 and it has a lot of features and similarities with last year's edition. But there are also some noticeable differences between the SL2 and the SL2-S.

Lecia SL2-S features

The SL2-S has the same body length and width, same design, build quality, viewfinder, LCD touchscreen, battery, in-body image stabilization and autofocus system as the Lecia SL2.

What makes the two cameras different is the sensor. Instead of the high-resolution 47.3-megapixel chip that is found in the Lecia SL2, the Lecia SL2-S has a new, backside-illuminated 24-megapixel sensor.

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The lower resolution of the SL2-S allows it to capture up to 25 frames per second with its built-in electronic shutter, and 9 frames per second with the mechanical shutter, and the backside illumination gives the camera a greater ISO range and better low-light performance over the SL2. It is the first ever backside-illuminated sensor to be used by Lecia.

The Lecia SL2-S can also shoot at up to ISO 100,000, and Lecia claims that it has both lower noise and better color when at very high ISO levels, according to Steve Huff Photo.

The multi shot mode of the camera can combine 8 shots into a single 96-megapixel image if you find that you need more resolution. That is all thanks to the camera's 4GB internal buffer. Because of the buffer, the SL2-S can shoot continuous bursts of JPEG images at 9 frames per second until the SD cards in its two UHS-II are all full.

Just like the SL2, the SL2-S has separate photo and video modes. This allows you to customize the functions of the camera and its settings for each task and switch between them, as reported by DPReview.

The camera can capture 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 and Cinema 4K ProRES footage up to 30fps to an SD card or up to 60fps to an external recorder through its full-size HDMI port.

The camera also has L-log recording with two built-in LUTs to make it easier to see what the edited version of the pictures and videos would looking like. According to Leica, it has plans to release more LUTs in the future too.

Aside from its differences in its internal features, the SL2-S is almost a direct clone of the SL2 as it has the same, bulky milled aluminum top and bottom connected to a magnesium alloy frame. Its 5.76-megapixel OLED viewfinder is only outclassed by the one in Sony's A7S III camera, and the body has IP54 dust and water protection and its guaranteed to work in temperatures as low as negative 10 Celsius.

Leica stated that it is planning to release a firmware update in the first half of 2021, and that it will add new features such as improved autofocus algorithm, focus tracking, internal 4K 60p recording, Long-GOP recording, automatic follow focus, segmented video, tally mode, a waveform monitor, color bars and enhanced live view for low-light shooting.

The Leica SL2-S, as well as the SL2 and the S3, are all now supported in Capture One, which allows photographers another software option for tethered shooting in addition to Lightroom.

The Leica SL2-S costs $4,895, which is $1,000 cheaper than the SL2.