ISSUE 127
44 / GEAR
TESTED: LEICA SL3
£5900 leica-camera.com A major firmware update makes the pricey but classy Leica SL3 worthy of a second look Red dot redemption
With a 60-megapixel sensor, a beautifully engineered body
minor tweak. It focuses squarely on usability – particularly autofocus and responsiveness. In practical terms, there is more reliable subject tracking, improved continuous AF performance and better overall responsiveness. The SL3 now provides a smoother, more predictable shooting experience. The firmware update has not transformed the SL3 overnight into a super-speedy sports camera. But it’s made the luxury Leica feel a bit less like something that you have to fight against and more like something you can work with. Image quality still rules Even at launch, one area on the SL3 that did not need fixing was image quality. A 60.3-megapixel full-frame sensor is at its heart, delivering files packed with detail, depth and tonal subtlety. It’s the kind of output that invites careful editing and rewards photographers who take time to get things right in camera. Dynamic range is outstanding. Highlights roll off naturally and the shadows retain impressive detail. In good light, files feel medium format in character – not just in resolution, but in the way tones transition smoothly across the frame. There is some noise if you crank the ISO up in low light, but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed in
and the weight of the red dot behind it, expectations were always going to be high when Leica launched the SL3. On paper, it looked like Leica’s most complete mirrorless camera to date – a true hybrid that could compete with the best from Nikon, Canon and Sony. But early reactions told a slightly different story. Yes, the image quality was exceptional. Yes, the build was unmistakably Leica, and it was even a bit lighter than the SL2 it replaced. But there was a recurring complaint from photographers who’d used it that the autofocus was not there yet. When rivals have pushed subject tracking and AI detection to astonishing levels, the SL3 felt a step behind in the market. Fast-forward from that launch two years ago to now, and the conversation has shifted. With its release of firmware version 4.0, Leica hasn’t changed the hardware but the experience. For many users, that makes all the difference. So, this isn’t just a review. It’s an in-depth look at how a camera evolves and how firmware can turn an already very good camera into an even more capable one. What’s new in version four? Leica’s updates tend to be understated, but version 4.0 is much more than a
editing. As the sensor is also used in several other cameras, such as the Sony A7R V and A7C R, Leica M11 and Sigma FP L, we’re used to sorting its high-ISO noise performance and still loving the images. But each camera produces results with a different look. Out of the Leica, the colours are a standout. The German brand’s rendering remains one of its defining traits, producing images that look natural and nuanced rather than overly processed. Skin tones are particularly
strong, making the SL3 an excellent choice for photographers who often do portrait and commercial work. And the new 240-megapixel option from a four-frame multi-shot give hugely detailed files. Or the SL3 also offers 18- and 36-megapixel stills if you’d rather save memory space. In that case, however, you’d be better off getting the newer Leica SL3-S, which is a faster model that offers better video and low-light quality for less money, costing only £4500.
PURE PRECISION The Leica SL3 has a solid build and, with the 50mm f/2 lens, it’s a chunky combo
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