New Leica SL2-S shifts focus towards video creators

Leica has just announced the SL2-S, a more modest version of last year’s SL2. Just like its predecessor, the SL2-S is also focused more on video creators, but of course, it doesn’t leave photographers behind either.

The Leica SL2-S features a significantly smaller resolution than the SL2. It packs a 24.6MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor, while the older model comes with a 47.3MP sensor. But on the other hand, the continuous shooting speed is higher in the new model. Compared to the SL2’s maximum of 20fps, the SL2-S can shoot up to 25fps. The ISO ranges between 100 and 100,000, which is another improvement over the SL2’s maximum ISO of 50,000.

The new camera features a contrast-detect AF system with 225 selectable AF areas. It has 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization, which also enables the Multishot mode. This mode lets you capture and compile eight separate photos to create a single 96MP file. As for the video, the Leica SL2-S shoots DCI 4K Video and features HLG and 10-bit recording.

Let’s check out the complete specs and more photos:

Imaging
Lens Mount	Leica L
Camera Format	Full-Frame (1x Crop Factor)
Sensor Resolution	Effective: 24.6 Megapixel (6072 x 4056)
Aspect Ratio	1970-01-01 03:02:00
Sensor Type	CMOS
Image File Format	DNG, JPEG
Bit Depth	14-Bit
Image Stabilization	Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis
Exposure Control
ISO Sensitivity	Auto, 50 to 100000
Shutter Speed	Mechanical Shutter
	1/8000 to 500 Second
	Bulb Mode
	Electronic Shutter
	1/16000 to 60 Second
Metering Method	Center-Weighted Average, Multi-Zone, Spot
Exposure Modes	Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority
Exposure Compensation	-3 to +3 EV (1/3 EV Steps)
White Balance	Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent (Cool White), Fluorescent (Warm White), Halogen, Shade, Tungsten, White Balance Adjustment
Continuous Shooting	Mechanical Shutter
	Up to 9 fps at 24.6 MP for Unlimited Frames (Raw) / Unlimited Frames (JPEG)
	Up to 5 fps at 24.6 MP for Unlimited Frames (Raw) / Unlimited Frames (JPEG)
	Up to 2 fps at 24.6 MP for Unlimited Frames (Raw) / Unlimited Frames (JPEG)
	Electronic Shutter
	Up to 25 fps at 24.6 MP for Unlimited Frames (Raw) / Unlimited Frames (JPEG)
Interval Recording	Yes
Self-Timer	2/12-Second Delay
Video
Recording Modes	H.264/MOV 4:2:2 10-Bit
	DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 24.00p/25p/29.97p [400 Mb/s]
	UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p [400 Mb/s]
	Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [200 Mb/s]
	H.264/MOV 4:2:0 8-Bit
	DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 50p/59.94p [150 Mb/s]
	UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 50p/59.94p [150 Mb/s]
	Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 100p/119.88p/180p [20 Mb/s]
	H.264/MP4 4:2:0 8-Bit
	UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [100 to 150 Mb/s]
	Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p/180p [20 to 150 Mb/s]
External Recording Modes	4:2:2 10-Bit
	DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 24.00p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p
	UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p
	Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p
	4:2:0 8-Bit
	UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p
	Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/120p/180p
Recording Limit	Unlimited
Video Encoding	NTSC/PAL
Audio Recording	Built-In Microphone (Stereo)
	External Microphone Input (Stereo)
Audio File Format	AAC, Linear PCM
Focus
Focus Type	Auto and Manual Focus
Focus Mode	Continuous-Servo AF (C), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S)
Autofocus Points	Contrast Detection: 225
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type	Electronic (OLED)
Viewfinder Resolution	5,760,000 Dot
Viewfinder Eye Point	21 mm
Viewfinder Coverage	1
Viewfinder Magnification	Approx. 0.78x
Diopter Adjustment	-4 to +2
Monitor
Size	3.2"
Resolution	2,100,000 Dot
Display Type	Fixed Touchscreen LCD
Flash
Built-In Flash	No
Maximum Sync Speed	1/250 Second
Flash Compensation	-2 to +2 EV (1/3 EV Steps)
Dedicated Flash System	TTL
External Flash Connection	Hot Shoe
Interface
Media/Memory Card Slot	Dual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
Connectivity	USB Type-C (USB 3.1), HDMI A (Full Size), 3.5mm Headphone, 3.5mm Microphone
Wireless	Bluetooth
	Wi-Fi
Environmental
Operating Temperature	14 to 104°F / -10 to 40°C
Physical
Battery	1 x BP-SCL4 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 7.2 VDC, 1860 mAh (Approx. 510 Shots)
Dimensions (W x H x D)	5.7 x 4.2 x 3.3" / 146 x 107 x 83 mm
Weight	2 lb / 931 g (Body with Battery and Memory)