Leica SL SL3-S Black 2025
Built around a 24.6MP BSI CMOS sensor and Maestro IV processor, this camera delivers 30 fps burst shooting with an advanced hybrid AF system for stills and open-gate 6K video. Its IP54-rated all-metal body offers robust weather sealing, while the 5.76m-dot EyeRes viewfinder and tiltable 3.2-inch touchscreen provide flexible composition. This kit is best for hybrid shooters needing a durable, high-speed workhorse for both demanding stills and cinema-quality video production.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Price went up 9% to $5122–$11600. New rivals like Sony a7R V and Fujifilm X-H2S joined the top 5. Still a great camera, but the value proposition is less obvious now.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Outstanding resolution and detail 98th
- Excellent build quality and weather sealing 95th
- Fast and accurate autofocus 95th
- Great battery life 95th
Cons
- Price increased by 9%
- Heavier than some competitors
- Menu system can be confusing
- No in-body image stabilization on some models
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 10 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Sensor
| Type | BSI CMOS |
| Size | full-frame |
| Megapixels | 24 MP |
| ISO Range | 50 |
| Processor | Maestro IV |
Autofocus
| AF Points | 779 |
| AF Type | PhotoContrast Detection: 315PhotoPhase Detection: 779 |
| Eye AF | Yes |
| Subject Detection | Yes |
Shooting
| Burst (Mechanical) | 30 |
| Max Shutter | 1/16000 |
| Electronic Shutter | Yes |
Video
| Max Resolution | 6K |
| 4K FPS | 60 |
| 1080p FPS | 60 |
| 10-bit | Yes |
| Log Profile | Yes |
| RAW Video | Yes |
| Codec | H.264, H.265 |
Display & EVF
| Screen Size | 3.2" |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Articulating | Yes |
| EVF Resolution | 5.76 M dots |
Build
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 kg / 1.7 lbs |
| Battery Life | 315 |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| USB | USB-C |
| HDMI | HDMI Type A |
| Hot Shoe | Yes |
vs Competition
The top 5 shifted. Sony a7R V, Fujifilm X-H2S, and OM System OM-1 now sit alongside this camera. The older contenders, #18801, #18761, and #28940, dropped out. The new rivals bring faster burst rates and better subject tracking. This camera still holds its own on resolution and dynamic range, but the competition is tighter than before.
| Spec | Leica SL SL3-S | Sony a7R V | Fujifilm X-H2S | Nikon Z Z9 | Panasonic LUMIX GH7 | Canon EOS R R1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless |
| Sensor | 24MP full-frame | 61MP full-frame | 26.2MP aps-c | 45.7MP full-frame | 25.2MP micro-four-thirds | 24.2MP full-frame |
| AF Points | 779 | 693 | 425 | 493 | 315 | 4897 |
| Burst FPS | 30 | 10 | 40 | 30 | 75 | 40 |
| Video | 6K @60fps | 8K @60fps | 6K @120fps | 8K @120fps | 6K @120fps | 6K @120fps |
| IBIS | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 768 | 723 | 579 | 1160 | 721 | 920 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | EVF | Build | Burst | Video | Sensor | Battery | Display | User Sentiment | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leica SL SL3-S | 94.8 | 98 | 92.9 | 87.3 | 94.6 | 52.4 | 91.5 | 87.4 | 7.2 | 20.1 | 89.3 |
| Sony a7R V Compare | 95.6 | 99.2 | 97.3 | 79.3 | 96 | 78.5 | 94.6 | 87.4 | 98.6 | 97.8 | 98.7 |
| Fujifilm X-H2S Compare | 91.2 | 96.9 | 94.8 | 93.6 | 97.9 | 96.8 | 98.6 | 99 | 63 | 90.3 | 95.8 |
| Nikon Z Z9 Compare | 92.8 | 91.9 | 99.4 | 96 | 98.9 | 72 | 98.2 | 87.4 | 96.8 | 94.3 | 89.3 |
| Panasonic LUMIX GH7 Compare | 88.9 | 91 | 97.2 | 95.4 | 97.7 | 62.9 | 92.2 | 87.4 | 91.9 | 78.1 | 97.3 |
| Canon EOS R R1 Compare | 99.9 | 99.2 | 98.5 | 93.6 | 96.7 | 56.7 | 46.7 | 99.8 | 63 | 80.1 | 89.3 |
Price
Value & Pricing
The price jumped about 9%, now ranging from $5122 to $11600. That's a real chunk of change. But the image quality and autofocus still deliver where it counts. If you're already invested in the system, the upgrade makes sense. If you're starting fresh, you'll feel the pinch.
B&H Photo 1 offer From CA$9,066
We started tracking prices for this product on May 2, 2026. The chart appears once we have more data.
Read more
Who Should Skip This
If you're on a tight budget, the price hike makes this a harder sell. The Sony a7R V offers similar resolution for less. Casual shooters should look elsewhere.
Verdict
The price increase is annoying, but the camera remains a top pick for landscape and studio work. The new competitors are strong, but none match its combination of resolution and build quality. If you can afford the bump, it's still worth it. If not, the Sony a7R V is a solid alternative.
