Leica’s new SL3-P packs 8K video, 40fps bursts, and loses the famous red dot

Leica has released the new SL3-P, the latest addition to its full-frame mirrorless lineup and the first P-Series model based on the SL3 platform. While the biggest visual change is the removal of Leica’s signature red dot in favour of an all-black, more discreet finish, there’s much more going on under the hood.

The camera pairs a new 44.9MP full-frame BSI sensor with Leica’s fastest autofocus system to date, high-end video features including internal ProRes recording and 8K Open Gate capture, plus workflow tools like Adobe Frame.io Camera-to-Cloud support and Content Credentials.

A new 44.9MP full-frame sensor

At the heart of the SL3-P is a newly developed 44.9MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor. The BSI design helps improve light gathering for better low-light performance and reduced image noise, while Leica says the sensor delivers up to 14 stops of dynamic range and a native ISO range of 50-200,000.

The camera also includes Leica’s Double Resolution technology, allowing photographers to shoot at either the full 44MP resolution or a smaller 26MP output while still using the entire sensor through pixel binning. For situations where maximum detail is needed, there’s also a Multishot mode that produces composite images up to 176MP.

Faster autofocus and up to 40fps shooting

The SL3-P introduces Leica’s most advanced autofocus system to date, combining phase detection, contrast detection, and object detection into a hybrid autofocus system.

There are 819 selectable autofocus points across the frame, with machine learning used for subject recognition and tracking. The camera is designed to recognise and follow moving subjects more reliably, whether you’re shooting wildlife, sports or documentary work.

Continuous shooting reaches up to 40fps with autofocus, while Leica says the new sensor readout is up to 156% faster than previous SL models, helping to reduce rolling shutter during both stills and video capture.

Built with hybrid creators in mind

Video has clearly been given just as much attention as still photography. The SL3-P can record:

• 8.1K Open Gate using the full 3:2 sensor
• 8K video at up to 30fps
• 5.9K at up to 60fps
• Full-sensor 4K at up to 120fps
• Internal Apple ProRes recording up to 5.8K
• HDMI RAW output for external recorders

The full-sensor Open Gate recording gives editors more flexibility when cropping footage later, whether for widescreen video, vertical social media content or multiple aspect ratios from a single clip. Leica has also included a number of production-focused tools, including False Colour exposure monitoring, HDMI mirroring and Leica’s own Pure and Cine LUTs for monitoring footage during recording.

Workflow features beyond the camera

One area where the SL3-P differs from many cameras is its emphasis on workflow. The operating system separates photography and video into dedicated workspaces, allowing each mode to keep its own settings without constantly switching menus.

Support for Adobe Lightroom Classic and Capture One enables tethered shooting, while built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth work alongside the Leica FOTOS app for remote control, wireless transfers and firmware updates. The camera also supports Adobe Frame.io Camera-to-Cloud, allowing images and video to be uploaded directly from the camera for remote review during a shoot.

Another notable addition is support for Content Credentials, which embeds tamper-resistant metadata into image files as part of the Content Authenticity Initiative to help verify an image’s origin.

Familiar Leica build quality

Like other cameras in Leica’s P-Series, the SL3-P replaces the traditional red Leica badge with an all-black finish designed to be less conspicuous. The body is built around a full-metal chassis manufactured in Germany and carries an IP54 weather-resistance rating against dust and water splashes.

Other hardware features include:

• 5-axis in-body image stabilisation
• 5.76-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
• 3.2-inch 2.3-million-dot tilting touchscreen
• Dual card slots (CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II)
• USB 3.1 Gen 2
• Full-size HDMI
• Microphone and headphone ports

The camera uses the L-Mount, giving access to lenses from Leica as well as Sigma and Panasonic through the L-Mount Alliance.

Price and availability

The Leica SL3-P is available now for $6,690.

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