Leica SL2 (2019–)

Name: Leica SL2
Brand: Leica

The Leica SL2 arrived in late 2019, four years after the original SL - Leica's first autofocus mirrorless system aimed at working professionals. Announced in November of that year at $5,995, it was a big jump over its predecessor. The sensor went from 24 to 47.3 megapixels. The contrast-detect autofocus grew from 45 points to 225. Leica finally added in-body 5-axis image stabilization, which put it in line with the Sony, Canon, and Nikon competition it was now clearly chasing. The camera uses a Maestro III processor, has no low-pass filter, and shoots bursts up to 20 fps with the electronic shutter.

The SL2 is a big, serious tool in the classic Leica mold - "elegant engineering with versatile imaging performance," as one dealer put it. The body is machined from aluminum with magnesium and synthetic leather covering, and it's weather-sealed against dust and moisture. The electronic viewfinder was upgraded to 5.76 million dots, and the rear LCD doubled its resolution over the SL. The screen is still fixed, though, not tilting. It records UHD 4K video at 60 fps with 10-bit 4:2:2 color. There's also a 5K Cine mode that uses cinematographers' terms: shutter speed becomes shutter angle, ISO becomes ASA. A multishot mode stitches to 187 megapixels for still-life work. Dual UHS-II SD slots handle storage.

Reviewers at the time noted that the SL2 had caught up with its main rivals on stabilization, but the contrast-detect AF, while improved, was still "not the limit by modern standards," as 3dnews.ru (May 2020) put it. The same review, which priced the camera at 449,000 rubles, called it a camera for serious work - and for brand loyalists. It also noted the SL2 clearly leverages the L-mount alliance, sharing developments with partners like Panasonic. The high-resolution sensor combined with IBIS means you can crop aggressively in post rather than carry a longer telephoto, a practical advantage for working shooters.

A silver-anodized limited edition, capped at 1,000 units worldwide, was offered with a top and base plate finish reminiscent of the Leica M11. The black finish is the standard offering.

Known Specifications

Sensor: 47.3 MP full-frame CMOS (36 × 24 mm), no low-pass filter
Processor: Leica Maestro III
Stabilization: In-body, 5-axis
Autofocus: Contrast-detect, 225 points
ISO range: 50–50,000
Burst: 10 fps with mechanical shutter (single AF), 6 fps with tracking, 20 fps with electronic shutter
Video: UHD 4K60 (10-bit 4:2:2, 150 Mbps), Full HD up to 180 fps, 5K Cine mode
Viewfinder: Electronic, 5.76 million dots
LCD: 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.1 million dots
Storage: Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II)
Mount: Leica L
Battery: BP-SCL4 lithium-ion (8.4V, 1860 mAh)
Weight: 928 g (body only)
Product code: 10854