Leica is the brand for the cool kids who want to look like they know what they’re doing. It’s like having a vintage Porsche but for photography. They’ve been around for over 100 years, so you know they’re legit. They’re the OGs of cameras, and they’ve been a favorite among street photographers and photojournalists alike.
But don’t let their vintage charm fool you; Leica is all about cutting-edge technology. They’re the masters of melding classic design with modern innovation. Their cameras are known for their exceptional image quality and stunning optics.
Leica is a premium brand, so expect to pay a premium price. But hey, you get what you pay for, right? Their cameras are built to last, and you’ll be the envy of all your photographer friends with one slung around your neck.
2. Design and Build
Body design and materials
Feature
Leica SL2
Leica SL2-S
Design
Sleek, all-black design
Sleek, all-black design with red accents
Materials
Magnesium alloy body, weather-sealed
Magnesium alloy body, weather-sealed
Grip
Comfortable to hold
Comfortable to hold
Size and weight
Slightly larger and heavier
Slightly smaller and lighter
Profile
Taller profile
Lower profile
Build quality
Solid and premium feel
Solid and premium feel
Durability
Well-built and designed to last
Well-built and designed to last
In summary, both cameras have a sleek, all-black design with a magnesium alloy body that’s weather-sealed and well-built. The grip is comfortable to hold on both models, but the SL2-S is slightly smaller and lighter with a lower profile. The SL2 has a taller profile but is still solid and premium feeling. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and which camera feels more comfortable in your hands.
Button and control placement
Feature
Leica SL2
Leica SL2-S
Button layout
Minimalist design, well-placed buttons
Minimalist design, well-placed buttons with red accents
Joystick
On the back, used for navigating menus and selecting focus points
On the back, used for navigating menus and selecting focus points, slightly smaller and easier to use
Customizable controls
Assign frequently used functions to different buttons and controls
Assign frequently used functions to different buttons and controls
Overall layout
Well thought out and intuitive
Well thought out and intuitive
In summary, both cameras have a minimalist button layout with well-placed buttons that are easy to reach and use. The SL2-S has the added benefit of red accents on the buttons, making them easier to differentiate from each other in low light situations. Both cameras have a joystick on the back for navigating menus and selecting focus points, with the SL2-S joystick being slightly smaller and easier to use. The customizable controls on both cameras allow for frequently used functions to be assigned to different buttons and controls, making shooting more efficient. Overall, the button and control placement on both cameras is well thought out and intuitive, with the SL2-S having a few subtle improvements over the SL2.
Weather-sealing and durability
Feature
Leica SL2
Leica SL2-S
Body Material
Magnesium alloy
Magnesium alloy
Weather-Sealing
Dust and moisture-sealed
Dust and moisture-sealed
Durability
Built to last, can withstand drops and impacts
Built to last, can withstand drops and impacts
Rear Display Screen
Scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass
Scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass
Top Plate Material (additional protection)
N/A
Scratch-resistant stainless steel
Battery Compartment Seal (additional protection)
N/A
Thicker rubber seal for better weather-sealing
In summary, both the Leica SL2 and SL2-S have a magnesium alloy body that feels solid in the hand and can withstand the rigors of daily use. Both cameras are weather-sealed against dust and moisture, and are built to last with the ability to withstand drops and impacts. The rear display screen of both cameras is made with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass. The SL2-S offers additional protection with a scratch-resistant stainless steel top plate, and a thicker rubber seal around the battery compartment for improved weather-sealing. Overall, both cameras are durable and can withstand challenging weather and environmental conditions.
Excellent, captures detail in shadows and highlights
Improved dynamic range due to backside-illuminated sensor technology
Low Light Performance
Good, but not as good as SL2-S
Excellent, thanks to backside-illuminated sensor technology and native ISO range of 100-100000
In summary, both the Leica SL2 and SL2-S feature full-frame sensors that are capable of delivering stunning image quality with excellent detail and dynamic range. The SL2-S has a lower resolution sensor but offers improved dynamic range and low light performance due to its backside-illuminated sensor technology and wider native ISO range. The SL2 has good dynamic range and low light performance, but not as good as the SL2-S. Overall, both cameras are capable of producing high-quality images with excellent detail and dynamic range.
Low-light performance
Feature
Leica SL2
Leica SL2-S
Native ISO range
50-50000
100-100000
Backside-illuminated sensor
No
Yes
Low-light performance
Good
Excellent
Image quality in low-light
High
Very High
In summary, both cameras offer excellent low-light performance and high image quality, but the SL2-S has a wider native ISO range of 100-100000 and backside-illuminated sensor technology, giving it a slight advantage in extremely low-light situations. However, the SL2 still performs well in low-light and is an excellent choice for photographers who don’t necessarily require the absolute best low-light performance.
Color accuracy and detail retention
Feature
Leica SL2
Leica SL2-S
Sensor resolution
47 MP
24 MP
Sensor technology
CMOS
BSI-CMOS
ADC
14-bit
16-bit
Low-pass filter
No
Yes
Color accuracy
High
Very High
Detail retention
Excellent
Excellent, with slight edge for SL2-S
In summary, both cameras offer excellent color accuracy and detail retention, with the SL2-S having a slight edge due to its advanced sensor technology and low-pass filter. However, the SL2 still produces stunning images with vibrant colors and exceptional detail, making it a great option for professional photographers who don’t necessarily need the absolute highest level of color accuracy and detail retention.
In summary, both the Leica SL2 and SL2-S offer exceptional video capabilities with 4K resolution, a range of frame rates, and advanced video codecs. However, the SL2-S has an advantage due to its lack of a low-pass filter and higher bitrate options, making it better suited for professional video work. Both cameras lack in-body image stabilization, which can result in shaky handheld footage without the use of external stabilization equipment.
4. Autofocus and Performance
Autofocus speed and accuracy
Aspect
Leica SL2
Leica SL2-S
Autofocus System
Contrast-detection AF
Hybrid AF (Contrast-detection and Phase-detection)
AF Points
Up to 225
Up to 225 contrast-detection AF points and 5 phase-detection AF points
Advanced AF Modes
Face Detection and Eye Detection
N/A
Continuous AF
Available for both photo and video
Available for both photo and video
Subject Tracking
Available for both photo and video
Available for both photo and video
Performance
Fast and reliable
Even faster and more accurate
Best Suited For
Portrait photography and video
Sports and action photography
Overall, both cameras offer exceptional autofocus performance, but the SL2-S’s hybrid AF system gives it a slight edge in speed and accuracy, especially for fast-moving subjects. However, the SL2’s contrast-detection autofocus system is still a reliable option, especially for portrait and video work.
Continuous shooting rate and buffer size
Factor
Leica SL2
Leica SL2-S
Continuous shooting rate
Up to 20 fps (electronic shutter), 10 fps (mechanical shutter)
Up to 25 fps (electronic shutter), 9 fps (mechanical shutter)
Buffer size (DNG files)
Up to 78
Up to 50
Buffer size (JPEG files)
Unlimited
Unlimited
Suitable for
Fast-moving action, sequences
Split-second moments, sports, wildlife
Overall performance
Impressive
Impressive with a slight edge in speed for SL2-S
Overall, both cameras offer impressive continuous shooting rates and buffer performance, with the SL2-S having a slight edge in terms of speed. However, the SL2’s larger buffer size may be more important for some photographers who need to capture a longer sequence of shots without having to pause to wait for the buffer to clear.
In terms of shutter speed and image stabilization, both the Leica SL2 and SL2-S offer impressive capabilities, as summarized in the table above. While the mechanical shutter speed range is the same for both cameras, the SL2-S has a faster electronic shutter speed, which can be useful in some shooting situations. The SL2-S also has a slightly improved image stabilization system, compensating for camera shake up to 6 stops, compared to 5.5 stops in the SL2. Overall, both cameras offer reliable and effective features for capturing sharp images, with the SL2-S offering a slight advantage in some areas.
5. User Interface and Features
Menu navigation and customization options
Aspect
Leica SL2
Leica SL2-S
Menu Navigation
User-friendly
User-friendly
Customization Options
Good range available
Good range available
Number of Custom Profiles
One
Three
Ease of finding options
Intuitive
Intuitive
Personalizing camera controls
Available
Available
Advantage
N/A
SL2-S has more profiles
Overall, both cameras offer a smooth and customizable menu system, with the SL2-S having a slight advantage in terms of the number of custom profiles available.
EVF and LCD screen
Camera Feature
Leica SL2
Leica SL2-S
EVF Resolution
5.76 million dots
5.76 million dots
EVF Refresh Rate
120 fps
120 fps
EVF Magnification
0.78x
0.78x
LCD Screen Size
3.2 inches
3.2 inches
LCD Screen Type
Fixed touchscreen
Fixed touchscreen
LCD Screen Resolution
2.1 million dots
2.1 million dots
LCD Screen Articulation
No
No
Top Screen
Yes
Yes
The Leica SL2 and SL2-S both have the same EVF resolution and refresh rate, as well as the same EVF magnification. They also both have a 3.2-inch fixed touchscreen LCD screen with the same resolution. However, neither camera has an articulating screen. Additionally, both cameras have a top screen for quickly accessing key settings.
Connectivity options and wireless capabilities
Aspect
Leica SL2
Leica SL2-S
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI, 3.5mm jack
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI, 3.5mm jack
Wireless capabilities
Yes
Yes
Tethering support
Yes
Yes
Remote control via smartphone
Yes
Yes
GPS
No
No
External microphone jack
Yes
Yes
Headphone jack
Yes
Yes
Built-in speakers
Yes
Yes
Lan Port
Yes
Yes
USB-A Port
Yes (USB 3.1)
Yes (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
Overall, the SL2-S has a slight edge in terms of connectivity options with the inclusion of the LAN port and USB-A port. However, both cameras have ample wireless capabilities and can easily connect to compatible devices for seamless image transfer and remote shooting.
6. Price and Value
Price comparison between the SL2 and SL2-S
Camera Components
Leica SL2
Leica SL2-S
Body Only
$5,995
$4,895
With 50mm lens
$7,795
$6,695
With 75mm lens
$8,895
$7,795
With 90mm lens
$9,195
$8,095
The Leica SL2 was released in November 2019 with a launch price of around $5,995 USD for the body only. Meanwhile, the Leica SL2-S was released in December 2020 with a launch price of around $4,895 USD for the body only, making it significantly less expensive than its predecessor.
It’s important to note that the price of each camera can fluctuate over time depending on various factors such as availability and market demand. However, as of April 2023, the Leica SL2 remains the more expensive option compared to the Leica SL2-S.
Consideration of features and performance in relation to price
Factor
Leica SL2
Leica SL2-S
Sensor resolution (CMOS)
47.3 MP
24.6 MP
Dynamic range
14 stops
14 stops
Low-light performance
ISO 100-50000
ISO 100-100000
Color accuracy and detail retention
Excellent
Excellent
Autofocus speed and accuracy
Fast and accurate
Fast and accurate
Continuous shooting rate
Up to 20 fps
Up to 25 fps
Buffer size
Unlimited JPEG, up to 78 DNG
Unlimited JPEG, up to 88 DNG
Shutter speed
30s – 1/8000s
30s – 1/16000s
Image stabilization
In-body 5-axis
In-body 5-axis
Video capabilities and features
5K 10-bit up to 60p, 4K up to 60p
4K up to 60p
Menu navigation and customization options
User-friendly and customizable
User-friendly and customizable
EVF and LCD screen
High-resolution and large
High-resolution and large
Weather-sealing and durability
High-quality build and weather-sealed
High-quality build and weather-sealed
Connectivity options and wireless capabilities
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI, LAN, USB-A
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI, LAN, USB-A
Price
$5,995
$4,895
Overall, while the Leica SL2 is the more expensive option, it offers better resolution and autofocus performance in good lighting conditions. On the other hand, the SL2-S is a better choice for low-light photography and videography, with better color grading capabilities and a faster continuous shooting rate. Depending on your specific needs, the SL2-S may be the better value for the price.
7. Conclusion
Summary of pros and cons for each camera
Pros
Leica SL2
Leica SL2-S
Sensor
47 MP
24 MP
Dynamic Range
High dynamic range
Good dynamic range
Autofocus
Fast and accurate
Fast and accurate
Continuous shooting
10 fps
25 fps
Durability
Robust weather-sealing and build quality
Robust weather-sealing and build quality
Video
4K at 60 fps
4K at 60 fps
Battery life
370 shots
240 shots
Menu customization
High level of customization options
High level of customization options
EVF/LCD screen
High-quality EVF and LCD screen
High-quality EVF and LCD screen
Price
Expensive
Less expensive
Cons
Leica SL2
Leica SL2-S
Size/Weight
Heavy and bulky
Heavy and bulky
Low-light performance
Mediocre
Mediocre
Battery life
Below average
Below average
Price
Expensive
Still expensive
Buffer size
Limited for high-speed continuous shooting
Limited for high-speed continuous shooting
Overall, the Leica SL2 offers more advanced features and higher image quality at a premium price, while the SL2-S offers better low light performance and faster autofocus at a more affordable price point. The choice ultimately depends on the user’s specific needs and budget.
Recommendation based on individual needs
When it comes to choosing between the Leica SL2 and SL2-S, it ultimately depends on the individual’s specific needs and preferences.
If you are primarily focused on photography and value a high resolution sensor, dynamic range, and color accuracy, then the SL2 may be the better option for you. Additionally, the SL2’s faster continuous shooting rate and larger buffer size make it well-suited for capturing action shots.
On the other hand, if you prioritize low-light performance and video capabilities, the SL2-S may be the better choice. Its lower resolution sensor allows for larger individual pixels, resulting in better low-light performance. The SL2-S also boasts improved video capabilities with its full-frame 4K recording and advanced color grading options.
Overall, both cameras offer impressive features and performance, but at a high price point. It’s important to carefully consider your needs and budget before making a decision.
If budget is a major concern, there are other full-frame mirrorless cameras on the market that offer similar performance at a lower price point. However, if you’re a Leica enthusiast or value the unique features and design of the SL2 and SL2-S, then either camera is a solid investment.
Excellent alternative similar cameras in the market:
Sony A7 III: This camera is known for its excellent autofocus system, impressive low-light performance, and 10fps continuous shooting speed. It also has a 24.2MP sensor and 5-axis in-body image stabilization.
Canon EOS R6: This camera features a 20.1MP sensor, 8fps continuous shooting speed, and 4K video capabilities. It also has a reliable autofocus system and in-body image stabilization.
Nikon Z6 II: This camera has a 24.5MP sensor, 14fps continuous shooting speed, and excellent low-light performance. It also has a reliable autofocus system and in-body image stabilization.
Panasonic Lumix S5: This camera features a 24.2MP sensor, 7fps continuous shooting speed, and 4K video capabilities. It also has a reliable autofocus system and in-body image stabilization.
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