LEICA SL2-S | FAST SHOOTING AND PRO VIDEO CAPABILITIES

Leica SL2-S | Fast Shooting Speed & Professional Video Capabilities

The Leica L-Mount family has a new member! Building on the success of the SL and the SL2, the SL2-S offers something special for both videographers and photographers alike. When I first heard that there was an addition to the SL2 range I thought it would be a baby SL2, but what has appeared seems much more tuned towards a mix of the first SL and the SL2. The resolution is the same as the first SL but there is now a newly developed 24 MP CMOS-BSI sensor which is capable of delivering excellent results up to ISO 100,000. The body has 5 axis body image stabilisation which has the power to provide up to 5.5 stops of stabilisation and is dust and splash-proof.

Key Features

• New 24MP CMOS-BSI full-frame sensor
• 4K30p 10bit 4:2:2 / C4k30p 10bit 4:2:2 (internal)
• 25fps electronical shutter
• Up to ISO 100.000
• 4GB internal buffer memory
• Endless filming with no 29 minute limit
• Full integration in Capture One 21 including tethered shooting

The SL2-S has been produced with both videographers and photographers in mind with two separate shooting modes for photo and video, to my mind it is a content creators dream. It is capable of shooting in 4K and C4K at 60p (following a firmware update) 10bit 4:2:2 and provides endless filming with no overheating, there is also Leica L-Log included as well as integrated LUTs (lookup tables). The 24 MP sensor provides excellent detail for photography while still controlling noise for excellent performance at higher ISO levels. There is also a multi-shot hi res feature which will deliver detailed images of 96MP that will no doubt be of interest to landscape photographers. There is also a very fast stills frame rate of 25 frames per second using the electronic shutter and 9 frames per second using the mechanical shutter. There is also a 4GB internal buffer memory built-in.

The SL2-S uses a superb 5.76 MP EyeRes viewfinder for excellent detail in addition to a 3.2” touch-enabled screen. The body is made with an all-metal solid construction (milled aluminium top and bottom plate) and has a comfortable leather wrap. The body is also dust and splash-proof to an IP54 certification providing peace of mind for those of us who use our equipment in challenging conditions, it is also guaranteed to work in -10 degrees C.

This is the latest addition to the L-mount range and therefore will be compatible with the latest L-mount cine and stills lenses. Leica M lens users will be delighted to hear that the SL2-S is compatible with the legendary Leica M glass and these lenses can be attached using the L-mount adapter. There is an external light sensor for Leica M-Lens support & the sensor stack feature is fully compatible with Leica M-Lenses. There is also the ability to use Leica R and S lenses with the respective adapters.

For content creators who use Capture One 21 there is full integration with this software including tethered shooting. Leica also uses Adobe DNG for their RAW files so they are fully compatible with Lightroom as well.

It really feels like Leica have produced something that truly fits into the kitbag of the professional content creator while also being hugely attractive to those starting out in the photography or videography world. The flexibility of lens range, image stabilisation, professional video capabilities, stills performance and build quality make this one of the most compelling additions to the video/stills camera line up for quite some time.