Leica SL shoots 11fps and 4K video

Leica SL (Typ 601) Mirrorless Digital camera

Leica has launched a new mirrorless Digital Camera called Leica SL. It is a full frame camera and it promises to offer professionals the “New Leica Experience”. Leica has been legendary for its small form factor, rugged, sleek lines in its design and its quality. Many a photojournalist in the past have done their stories with Leica as it helps them merge with the crowd and appear like just another casual tourist.

Its past efforts in the digital arena have not been as successful as its fans would love. Nevertheless the present camera promises a lot.

Salient Features:
Sensor: Full Frame CMOS
Megapixels: 24 MP
Processor: Maestro II processor
ISO: From 50 to 50,000.
Video: Internal DCI 4K ie 4096x2160 pixels at 24fps with V-Log L gamma for preserving the maximum dynamic range. Also it offers UHD ie. 3840x2160 at 24fps as well as 25fps for PAL.

Stills Burst speed: 11fps shooting speed for a burst of 33 frames in DNG or unlimited JPEG shots as it has a 2 GB buffer.

Auto Focus: Leica claims that its contrast based AF system is the fastest among full frame cameras. It also has a Touch AF setting so that you can tap on a point and the camera with focus on it.

Recording Media: Two SD card slots.
Stills recording: It records still images at 14 bits DNG or as 8 bit JPEG files.

Video Sampling: The internal video is recorded at only 4:2:0 with 8 bits. However, it can be recorded externally through a Full HDMI at 4:2:2 10 bits. I would have loved it if it could internally record at 4:2:2 10bits.

Full HD (1920x1080) can be recorded at upto 120fps.

Video Assist tools: This camera features focus peaking, exposure simulation, clipping/zebras, grid overlays, aspect ratios, and safe area as is expected in a professional video camera.

Audio: The Leica SL comes with built in stereo microphone and 3.5mm microphone input as well as headphone jack. Manual as well as auto gain control is available.


LED: 2.95” LED has touchscreen and it has 1.04 million dots. The screen has anti-fingerprint and anti-scratch coatings along with a wide viewing angle of 170°.


EVF: Leica SL comes with a 0.66" EyeRes 4.4MP electronic view finder with 60fps refresh rate and 0.8x magnification.

The Leica SL (Typ 601) camera has built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control and image capture using the Leica SL App and a GPS unit for geo-tagging your photographs.

Flash: The Leica SL has TTL TTL-capable hot shoe and an X-sync terminal. It has a maximum flash sync speed of 1/250 second.

Sensor dust clean: Ultrasonic dust cleaning further ensures image quality remains at its peak by removing small particles without the need for deep cleaning.

Mount: The Leica SL has a Leica L bayonet mount which was first seen in the Leica T camera. The L mount can accept a variety of adapters.
Construction: Leica says that this camera is made of two solid blocks of aluminium and is weather sealed. It is made in Germany. It weighs 847 gms.

Price: $7450 USD for the camera body
Buy: You can buy this camera at B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...990/KBID/13252