Last Updated on 01/16/2025 by Chris Gampat
When the Leica SL2s launched, I was pleasantly surprised at how incredible it was. For the first time, I’d experienced a Leica camera that could nearly hold its own with autofocus of the big three companies. Now, we’ve got the Leica SL3s — and I’m just as impressed. In my tests, the Leica SL3s has autofocus that rivals Nikon and Sony, but perhaps runs only a little bit behind them though not enough to affect performance. That’s thanks to the newer version of their 24MP sensor that now includes phase detection. Additionally, it adds Content Authenticity credentials to it. Truly, I can’t see why a photojournalist working abroad in rough areas wouldn’t want this camera. I also can’t see why any passionate photographer wouldn’t enjoy this beauty of a camera.
Table of Contents
Declaration of Journalistic Intent
The Phoblographer is one of the last standing dedicated photography publications that speaks to both art and tech in our articles. We put declarations up front in our reviews to adhere to journalistic standards that several publications abide by. These help you understand a lot more about what we do:
- At the time of publishing this review, Leica is an advertiser with the Phoblographer. However, our campaign focuses on showcasing art that photographers make with their products first and foremost. It has nothing to do with our reviews.
- We’re initially publishing this review with a pre-production unit. Later, we’ll update it with a production unit, which could even be updated as new firmware comes in.
- Note that our reviews are constantly works in progress. This review will be updated later on.
- This review, and none of the reviews on the Phoblographer, are sponsored. That’s against FTC laws and we adhere to them just the same way that newspapers, magazines, and corporate publications do.
- Leica loaned the Leica SL3s and accessories to the Phoblographer for review. There was no money exchange between Leica and the Phoblographer for this to happen. Leica and several other manufacturers trust the Phoblographer’s reviews, as they are incredibly blunt.
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- The Phoblographer’s standards for reviewing products have become much stricter. After having the world’s largest database of real-world lens reviews, we choose not to review anything we don’t find innovative or unique, and in many cases, products that lack weather resistance. We’ve also steered away from Micro Four Thirds and APS-C as they’re dying formats. This is a conclusion that even the other members of TIPA agree on. Unless something is very unique, we probably won’t touch it.
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More can be found on our Disclaimers page.
Truly, I can’t see why a photojournalist working abroad in rough areas wouldn’t want this camera. I also can’t see why any passionate photographer wouldn’t enjoy this beauty of a camera.
The Big Picture: Leica SL3s Review Conclusions
Truly, I wish that the SL3s had launched with the SL3. If that were the case, it wouldn’t feel like the same yet different camera. The SL3s feels like a slight step above the SL2s partially because of the same megapixel density. So if anything, it feels like a minor upgrade while most of the updates come on the outside and with a few extras like Leica Looks, Content Credentials, improved battery performance, a new menu system, a CF card slot, and fast autofocus with animal detection. Despite this being a large list, I still think that there should’ve been something else to give it more razzle dazzle. While I’d want something like multiple exposure in-camera and skin smoothing for the SL3 with its 60MP sensor, I’d request different things for the SL3s. For example, this camera is really designed for photojournalism and therefore getting the images out as fast as possible. I wish that the ISO performance above 6400 was better for starters. But adding in something like pre-shooting to ensure that I don’t miss the shot while giving me RAW files is pretty important for professional photojournalists. I’d also want a few basic editing tools in-camera such as cropping and stuff while playing back my images. Of course, I’m only talking about the tools that are acceptable for photojournalist standards.
However, the Leica SL2s, this camera’s predecessor isn’t any slouch — and I don’t think that I’ll be upgrading my camera body. Instead, I’d reach for the SL3.
The Leica SL3s receives four out of five stars. In line with our inclusivity statements made back in December 2024, the Leica SL3s doesn’t make the menu system simple to navigate. However, they do a great job with autofocus on people of color in low light. That’s more than what I can say for Canon. Want one? Pick it up on Amazon.
Pros
- It’s lighter than the SL2s while also still being smaller and just as well-built
- Great battery life. Leica’s quick power-down function is really fantastic at saving battery life and shooting.
- Leica continues to keep content authenticity credentials at the front
- Great high ISO output while also maintaining a lot of very wonderful color depth.
- Some of the best autofocus performance I’ve seen from a Leica camera.
- Autofocus is good even with Sigma and Panasonic LUMIX lenses.
- Rolling shutter is very well corrected
Cons
- Still uses a 24MP sensor, I wanted something a bit more at this point.
- Still no protection for the sensor when the camera is powered down
- The menu system is clunkier than I’d really expect from a camera in 2025.
Who Should Buy the Leica SL3s?
If you want a lower megapixel camera with cleaner high ISO output, and you plan on also shooting more video, then get the SL3s. This should especially be said for any photographer that shoots in rough environments like warfare, the most extreme temperatures, etc. But personally, I don’t shoot a lot of video. If I do, the video is going on social media and my phone is more than good enough for that. So I’d get the SL3 instead. This is also a personal choice, but I much prefer the ergonomics of traditional camcorders – and I wish Leica made something like that for newsgathering.
Gear Used
We tested the Leica SL3s, which was a loaner unit provided to us by Leica. We used it with our own 28mm f2 SL along with Panasonic lenses and Sigma lenses. Some of the Panasonic Lumix lenses are on long term loan to us. The other lenses are our own. Mixed into this were some of our favorite lens filters from Tiffen. For fun, we adapted a few Funleader lenses; specifically their M-mount variants of the Contax 35mm f2 nd 58mm f2. Finally, we used the Profoto B10 with the Leica SL3s. The light is our own that was purchased several years ago.
Innovations: What’s New with the Leica SL3s
You can’t really say that the SL3s is innovative. Everything innovative it might’ve done was done by the SL3. This camera is basically just a variant of the SL3. But it’s a lower megapixel camera that photojournalists may want and that has Content authenticity credentials.
Here’s what’s been updated from the Leica SL2s to the Leica SL3s:
- While it’s still a full-frame 24MP BSI CMOS sensor, this sensor has what Leica is calling Fast Phase Detection Autofocus with up to 779 Autofocus dots.
- It’s lighter at 768 grams without the battery
- 8GB image buffer
- Content credentials
- An upgraded Maestro IV processor
- A tiltable 3.2-inch LCD screen with 2.3 million dots
- The new Leica battery that has been used in the past few cameras
For what it’s worth, it seems to be a similar sensor to what’s in the Nikon Z6 III.
Hardware
The Leica SL3s feels incredible in the hands. Overall, it feels smaller and lighter than the SL2s. And I wouldn’t necessarily compare it with a Panasonic or Sony camera. Instead, it’s really its own unique thing. On top of that, the durability performance is still incredible. My only wish: I truly wanted an LCD screen that flipped so that I didn’t need to use the LCD at all.
The diopter, like the SL3 before, is simple and effective. Even with bad vision, I can see very clearly through the viewfinder – but only with my glasses on. When I took them off, I was very much so reminded that I have keratinous. So I hydrated my eyes with special eye drops to see what would happen. When I turned the diopter all the way to one direction, the scene became clearer. But another problem occurred: I realized that I couldn’t change the color of the autofocus selection point. So when I see a white cursor against a white object, the cursor blends in. I really wish that Leica gave us the option to change the color of the cursor. This also happened with the SL2s – and in a situation like that, I’d take the camera away from my eye and find the point. But I’d have hoped that I could’ve done this by now.
Also, like the beloved SL3, the SL3s has dials that don’t turn easily by accident. That means that if you wire the top left dial to control the ISO, it won’t get manipulated by accident.
While I’m not usually a big fan of large grips, I surely do like this one. My last personal camera that I bought is the Nikon Zf. And while I still find that more comfortable, I also think that the Leica SL3s joins the Leica SL3 as one of the most comfortable cameras that I’ve used. The grip here is a delight to hold onto when you’re wearing gloves in cold weather.
“Even with bad vision, I can see very clearly through the viewfinder …”
Protect Your Camera Gear
For years, here at The Phoblographer we’ve done tests on cameras, lenses, bags, computers, lights, and more. And we know that your warranty doesn’t always cover the damage. Plus, accidents can happen on set.
This is why we’ve created a Photography Care Program in partnership with Full-Frame Insurance. Now, photographers across the United States looking for extra security can get various protections to cover their craft. The Photography Care Program provides peace of mind; now you’ll know you can bounce back from a photoshoot gone awry, on-site or inside. We’re making it super easy to get it done, too! Better yet, there is coverage outside of the US and Canada when the photographer is traveling for short periods of time for business.
We’re able to do this through our partnership with Full-Frame Insurance, a company specializing in Small Business Insurance. Are you a Freelance Photographer? We’ll cover you. What about a freelance multi-media journalist? We’ve got you. The Photography Care Program will protect you.
Focusing
In my initial tests, this camera couldn’t really keep focus on someone through snow. So you should know that factors like that will interfere with the focusing abilities. To my surprise, when using the Intelligent AF function, I had a super pleasant experience that gave me photos that were pretty much always in focus. Combined with slower shutter speeds, it also gave me camera-shake-free photos. On top of that, using human detection did wonders. This was more when using face detection than when using body detection, however. And I wasn’t in some of the lowest lit situations either.
The Leica SL3s has animal detection as well – and it works! What’s even better is that the autofocus performance doesn’t seem to degrade at all when using Panasonic lenses. And when using Sigma’s lenses, it’s ever so slightly behind. Most folks wouldn’t be able to tell the difference unless they were trained to. However, I’ve often heard that Sigma doesn’t use the best motors in their lenses. Keep in mind that Animal Detection is in beta; and it’s even in beta for the SL3 despite that camera being released in the first part of 2024.
When focusing on people of color in low light with deeper melanin in their skin, the SL3s seemed to hold focus on them with very few misses. More specifically, it also keeps focus on people as others moved in front of them and interrupt the framing. Granted, when we did this test, it wasn’t in the absolute lowest of lit situations, and the people didn’t have the absolute deepest melanin that I’ve seen. However, It still did a fantastic job even with the exposure preview mode turned on. This tends to slow down autofocus performance across nearly every camera brand. When you turn it off, the SL3s becomes even more capable. This test made the Canon EOS R5 II feel antiquated, since it doesn’t focus all that well on people of color in low light. Instead, the SL3s holds it own with the Nikon Z9, SL3, and the Sony a1 II.
If the images in this review seem out of focus, trust me, it’s actually because I was shooting at ISO 12,500 instead.
If I were shooting this event professionally, I’d be very happy with the results the Leica SL3s gives me. Combine that with the fact that it’s got IP durability weather resistance, and you’ve got something that can survive a drunken attendee spilling a bit of beer or water on the camera by accident.
When focusing on people of color in low light with deeper melanin in their skin, the SL3s seemed to hold focus on them with very few misses. More specifically, it also keeps focus on people as others moved in front of them and interrupt the framing.
For the record, I found that shooting at 5fps, AFC, and human detection with eye recognition turned off to be more than good enough. Over a decade ago, I used to shoot weddings with a 5D Mk II and shooting 3 fps at most. 5fps, to me, is a sweet spot. And often, I’d only shoot with one frame a second.
When photographing people and doing events/journalism, the SL3s doesn’t at all disappoint me.
Ease of Use
In a big win for those of us who still use flash, the SL3s has a delightful feature. When it detected that my Profoto trigger was attached, it automatically went into Enhanced Live View mode and seemingly disabled exposure preview. That means that it allowed the scene to stay consistent as I changed the shutter speed even into the high speed sync territory. I absolutely, positively love this. Nikon has something similar, but you need to activate it through the menu system.
Just like with the SL3, if you use older Leica batteries, the SL3s tells you that it won’t have full functionality. What I discovered is that you won’t have all the burst shooting mode options available with autofocus and with full 14-bit raw. Instead, it goes down to 12, and you can go from one frame to two frames and then 15 frames with autofocus. It doesn’t allow you to have a burst mode at 5 frames a second – which is where I feel the camera can perform best for events.
With an older Leica battery, you also experience restrictions when recording to SSD and Video restrictions. But the camera ships with Leica’s newer battery. However, keep this in mind if you have some of Leica’s older cameras. Also note that if you put an older battery into the camera, it will ensure that you accept the fact that it has an older battery in it and tell you that some functions are limited. This can be really annoying because there is no way for you to tell it something like, “Don’t show again.” And needing to accept the message can literally make you miss a shot if the camera goes to sleep. This is incredibly annoying.
If you’ve used the Leica SL2s menu system, know that this one is different. You’ll need to work your way around it a bit more. Because of the layout of Leica’s menu system, you can’t get to anywhere you wish to be within two clicks of the joystick or two presses of the menu button. In line with what we’ve said about our new testing standards, we’re removing a star from this camera’s review because of this.
However, if you don’t need to navigate the menu often and you instead just wire a few key controls to buttons, then you won’t have much of a problem at all. You can also wire certain things to the first touch-sensitive menu. Sadly, there are fewer slots for us to wire custom controls in the new menu system. The SL2s had 12 options, but the SL3s has only 8.
For reference, Canon and Panasonic have nearly ideal menu systems. Canon’s recent menus have become bloated, and Panasonic’s layout is just a bit awkward at times. But they’re all miles ahead of everyone else. Leica’s menu is about on par with Nikon’s with both becoming awkward at their own certain points while both having features very much worth praising. Still, Leica’s menu is much better than Fujifilm’s – and that’s coming from a guy who shot the Fujifilm X series since the beginning.
At its core though, almost nothing about the Leica SL3s stops you from taking a good picture.
Leica surely could’ve put more buttons on the left side the way that the SL2s had – but then they’d sacrifice a bit on the screen.
Something else that I really miss is being able to use the joystick to navigate through the images upon playback and quickly rating them using an upward flick of the joystick. Now, you’re forced to use the touchscreen.
At its core though, almost nothing about the Leica SL3s stops you from taking a good picture. I typically stick to either tracking or human detection focusing – and so far, I’ve never missed a shot when the camera was set to AFc. 3 And more importantly, I’ve shot a lot of images that I’m really proud of.
Often I’d walk around at night shooting at ISO 400 with the 28mm f2 SL APO, and when the camera was set to program mode, I’d easily shoot images with no camera shake at all. Granted, I’ve been shooting for nearly 20 years and I know old-school techniques on how to control your body to prevent camera shake. But then you have to add into the fact that it was 19 degrees outside – and that was trying to work against me. So even while nearly shivering, I was able to achieve images with no camera-shake. In 2025, that’s not hard to do at all. Nearly every camera manufacturer ensures that you can get a great shot no matter what.
As of our testing, the Content Credentials don’t worry when checking them on Adobe’s Content Authenticity Initiative website. This will hopefully be fixed, and I am making an educated guess in saying that it’s a firmware issue. When we asked Leica about this, they said that it’s because of the fact that we’re testing a beta camera.
Image Quality
Luckily, the SL3s allows users to apply Leica looks to their images in-camera after it has been connected to the Leica Fotos app. And trust me, Leica looks are stunning.
Capture One’s support for the RAW files doesn’t seem to be optimal right now. We can tell because of the way that colors are rendered. These surely don’t look like Leica’s colors.
ISO 6400 imagery from the SL3s is even cleaner than it was with the SL2s – which is very impressive. This is basically as clean as the Nikon Zf; which astounds me in so many different ways. But it’s at ISO 12,500 and above that the color quality really started to degrade in Capture One for us. There’s a lot of detail loss as well too.
Extra Image Samples
The Phoblographer has been huge on transparency with our audience since day one. Nothing from this review is sponsored. Further, many folks will post reviews and show lots of editing in the photos. The problem then becomes that anyone and everyone can do the same thing. They’re not showing what the lens can do. So, we have a section in our Extra Image Samples area to show edited and unedited photos. From this, you can decide for yourself.
A few images in this review are shot by Brent Eysler and Kristopher Anderson.
Edited
Edited with the Phoblographer’s Presets
If you like these images, you can purchase the Phoblographer’s Photography presets for Lightroom and Capture One from our shop.
Unedited
Tech Specs
These specs are given to us by Leica.
• New 24 MP BSI Full-Frame Sensor with exceptional lowlight performance
• Latest High-speed AF-System (Advanced PDAF + Contrast Detection + Object Detection)
• Up to 30fps AF burst shooting in AFc mode
• 48/96MP Handheld Multishot Mode
• Leica Content Credentials
• Maestro IV Processor
• In Body Image Stabilization (IBIS)
• L-Mount bayonet
• Leica UX Design
• Tiltable High Res touchscreen
• Body with IP54 rating
