Leica
CL
Compact APS-C L-mount rangefinder-style body.
$2,795
Launch priceReleased Nov 2017
Leica
SL3
60MP L-mount flagship with 8K video and Leica color science.
$6,995
Launch priceReleased Mar 2024
SL3 is 6.3 years newer.
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Wins
CL
Wins
SL3
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BSL3 has higher AF points / zones (779 vs 49)
- BSL3 has higher ISO max (native) (100,000 vs 25,600)
- BSL3 has higher Resolution (60.3 MP vs 24.2 MP)
- BSL3 has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 2,360,000)
- BSL3 has lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareCL
138 × 98 × 88 mm
520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
SL3
141 × 108 × 85 mm
769 g (1.70 lb / 27.13 oz)
CL is 3mm narrower and 10mm shorter than SL3 but it is also 3mm thicker.
CL is 249 g lighter than SL3.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm CL · 85mm SL3
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
CL
138 × 98 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
SL3
141 × 108 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
CL
138 × 88 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
SL3
141 × 85 mm
Sensor size, to scale
CL
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
SL3
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
2.4× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
CL
✓ more lensesLeica L
80+
native lenses available
SL3
✓ more lensesLeica L
80+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
CL
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only CL supports it
Weight
520 g vs 769 g — lower is better
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better
Reasons to choose
SL3
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 141.2, 108, 84.6
AF points / zones
779 vs 49 — higher is better
ISO max (native)
100,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Resolution
60.3 MP vs 24.2 MP — higher is better
EVF resolution
5,760,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
ISO min (native)
50 vs 100 — lower is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only SL3 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 100 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
CL
Pros
- ✓Beautiful design
- ✓Compact
- ✓L-mount
Cons
- –Older
- –24MP APS-C
- –Limited lens selection
SL3
Pros
- ✓60MP
- ✓8K video
- ✓Leica build
- ✓L-mount
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Heavy
- –Large files
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the CL and SL3 at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, CL or SL3?
SL3 scores 10.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for CL — 60.3MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the CL and SL3?
CL is 24.2 MP and SL3 is 60.3 MP, so the SL3 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the CL and SL3 have in-body image stabilization?
CL has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while SL3 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the CL or the SL3?
CL reaches 15 fps electronic. SL3 reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the CL and SL3?
CL weighs 520 g and SL3 weighs 769 g, so the CL is 249 g lighter.
Do the CL and SL3 record 4K video?
CL: 4K up to 60p. SL3: 8K / C8K (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the CL and SL3 weather sealed?
CL: Yes. SL3: Yes.
How much does each cost?
CL launched at $2,795 and SL3 at $6,995. The CL is $4,200 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way CL vs SL3 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Leica press materials.