Leica SL3-S price, specs, availability confirmed

Leica has introduced the SL3-S (Type 4506), a new addition to its SL-System camera range. Designed for professionals working in photography and videography, the SL3-S features a full-frame 24-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, enhanced autofocus and a suite of tools tailored to modern content creation.

In addition to its standard 24MP resolution, the SL3-S has multi-shot modes that enable 48- and 96-megapixel output. Meanwhile, its autofocus system combines phase detection, object detection and contrast detection technologies, and it is capable of shooting at up to 3 0 frames per second with full AF support. The camera also has an ISO range of 50 to 200,000.

Outdoor photographers will appreciate that the SL3-S has an IP54-certified all-metal body, which means it's durable and weather-sealed. In addition, there's 5-axis image stabilisation that's claimed to give up to 5 stops of shutter speed compensation.

The SL3-S supports video recording at up to 6K resolution, plus 3:2 open-gate recording for flexible content creation. For instance, this enables 4K 9:16 portrait orientation videos to be recorded without loss of detail, plus footage can be cropped retrospectively. Internally, the camera can record in ProRes 4:2:2 HQ at resolutions up to 5.8K, and externally, it can output 5.9K HDMI-RAW at 30fps. A USB-C interface allows direct recording to external SSDs and a timecode input ensures synchronised workflows for professional productions.

Thanks to its dual card slots to accept CFexpress Type B and UHS-II SD cards, as well as USB-C and HDMI 2.1 ports, the SL3-S offers versatile file storage options. There's also wireless connectivity, including Wi-Fi with MIMO technology and Bluetooth, which integrate with the Leica FOTOS app for quick image transfer. The camera is certified as “Made for iPhone and iPad,” and a Camera-to-Cloud function is set to launch via Adobe Frame.io later in 2025.

The SL3-S is the first camera in the Leica SL line to incorporate Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) technology, embedding tamper-proof metadata into images. This allows users to verify content authenticity and track edits.

The camera also has a 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen with 2,332,800 dots and a 5.76-million-pixel EyeRes electronic viewfinder with up to 120fps refresh rate.

Thanks to the L-Mount standard, the SL3-S is compatible with a growing range of lenses and many existing lenses (including Leica’s M-series optics and cine lenses) via an adapter.

Leica SL3-S Price and Availability

The Leica SL3-S is available now at a recommended retail price of £4,500 / €5,190 / $5,295. It can be purchased from Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store, and authorised dealers worldwide.

Specifications

• Camera type: Mirrorless full-frame system camera

• Announced: 16th January 2025

• Pixel count: 25.3 MP/24.6 MP (total/effective)

• Memory: UHS-II (recommended), UHS-I, SD/SDHC/SDXC card + CFexpress card type B (recommended)

• Construction: Full metal housing: magnesium and aluminium, leatherette covering, splash water protected in accordance with IEC

• Image stabilisation: 5-axis giving up to 5-stops stbilisation

• Filter RGB colour filter, UV/IR filter, no low-pass filter

• Processor Leica Maestro series (Maestro IV)

• File formats Photo: DNG, DNG + JPG, JPG

• Video resolution: 6K OG 5952 x 3968 3:2, C6K 5952 x 3136 17:9, 6K 5888 x 3312 (h.265) 5776 x 3056 (ProRes) 16:9, C4K 4096 x 2160 (MOV/MP4) 17:9 4128 x 2176 (RAW), 4K 3840 x 2160 16:9, 3.5K 3536 x 2656 4:3 (RAW), Full HD 1920 x 1080 16:9

• Viewfinder: 5,760,000 dots, 60 fps or 120 fps, magnification: approx. 0.76x at aspect ratio: 3:2 / approx. 0.78x at aspect ratio: 4:3, frame coverage: 100%

• Screen: 3.2-inch (backlight LED) with anti-fingerprint and anti-scratch coating, 2,332,800 dots, format 3:2, touch panel

• Secondary screen (top plate): 1.28-inch highly reflective trans-reflective monochrome LCD, 128 x 128 pixels, viewing angle 120°, anti-fingerprint coating

• Autofocus system: Hybrid-AF with contrast metering, depth mapping and phase comparison metering

• Sensitivity range: ISO 50-200,000

• Dimensions (H x W x D): 108.05 x 141.2 x 84.6mm

• Weight: 768 g (without battery, SD card, body cap)