Leica has announced the SL3-S, a new full-frame camera in its SL System, featuring a 2400-megapixel sensor, fast autofocus, and significantly improved motion imaging capabilities.
Compared to the launch in March last yearSL3 with variable-resolution full-frame back-illuminated sensorThe newly launched SL3-S focuses on the high requirements of professional dynamic shooting.
To this end, its development focuses include camera response speed, flexibility and versatility, allowing the SL3-S to combine excellent dynamic shooting quality, better shooting speed and reliability, and incorporate many new features to ensure professional shooting results.
The SL3-S features a new back-illuminated full-frame CMOS sensor with a native 2400-megapixel resolution, as well as 4800-megapixel and 9600-megapixel Multi-Shot high-resolution modes. It also incorporates a new autofocus system, a dynamic range of up to 15 stops, and a sensitivity range of ISO 50-200000, enabling it to capture high-quality photos and moving images in any shooting environment.
The sturdy all-metal casing meets IP54 water and dust resistance standards and supports three focus systems: the next-generation phase detection autofocus (PDAF), depth detection (object detection autofocus), and contrast detection autofocus. This allows the SL3-S to perform fully automatic focus and continuous shooting at up to 30 frames per second, making it the fastest continuous shooting Leica camera ever. The body also supports L-mount and up to 3 stops of image stabilization.
The EyeRes viewfinder features a meticulously crafted optical system crafted from optical lenses, delivering a crystal-clear 120 frames per second and 576 million pixel resolution. A live preview function allows full control over image exposure and composition, even before releasing the shutter. A 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen allows for easy framing from various angles.
Elsewhere, the SL3-S is equipped with CFexpress type B and UHS-II SD memory card slots, as well as a USB-C port for fast data transfer, sharing, SSD connection and charging. It also includes a full-size HDMI 2.1 port for external LCD monitors or recording devices. It also has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection functions that support MIMO technology, allowing for quick and stable connection between the camera and the Leica FOTOS App on the mobile phone. It can also directly connect to Apple products via USB-C to transfer data. It also supports Adobe frame.io and its Camera to Cloud function, allowing you to upload dynamic images and photos directly from the camera to Adobe services for storage.
The SL3-S also features an ergonomic design, a redesigned user interface and menu navigation, and is compatible with the full range of SL3 accessories.
The SL3-S records up to 6K resolution and features a 3:2 Open Gate recording mode, enabling flexible content capture for a variety of channels. For example, users can shoot 4K resolution vertical 9:16 footage without sacrificing quality, allowing for on-set retrospective verification. It also supports 5.9K 30 fps HDMI-RAW video capture, which can be directly output to an external display recorder.
Furthermore, thanks to its CFexpress type B interface for high-speed data transfer, the SL3-S supports internal recording of ProRes 5.8:30:4 HQ motion pictures at 60K 4 fps or C2K 2 fps, without any recording time restrictions. Users can also record motion pictures directly using an external SSD hard drive via the USB-C interface.
A dedicated timecode interface allows for synchronization of live images and sound, and the Maestro IV processor equipped with L2 technology easily handles large amounts of data, delivering images with exceptional color, high dynamic range, and excellent noise control in the L-Log color space.
The SL3-S is also the first camera in the SL system to be equipped with the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) standard, which adds tamper-proof metadata to each photo, such as camera model, author information, and creation and editing data. The credential content can be verified using a free verification tool to confirm the authenticity of the photo.
The SL3-S is currently available for sale on Leica roads, online, and through authorized dealers worldwide, with a suggested retail price of NT$16.
