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Leica

CL

Compact APS-C L-mount rangefinder-style body.

$2,795

Launch price

Released Nov 2017

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vs

Leica

SL3-S

Fast 24.6MP L-mount hybrid with 6K open-gate video, 30fps burst, and 5-axis stabilization.

$5,295

Launch price

Released Jan 2025

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SL3-S is 7.2 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

CL

★ Wildlife★ Travel

Wins

8categories

SL3-S

★ Video & Hybrid★ Landscape

5 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

CL wins 0 categories·SL3-S wins 5 categories
  • BSL3-S has higher AF points / zones (779 vs 49)
  • BSL3-S has higher ISO max (native) (200,000 vs 25,600)
  • BSL3-S has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 2,360,000)
  • BSL3-S has lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
  • BSL3-S has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 15 fps)

Key specs at a glance

CLSL3-S
Resolution24.2 MP24.6 MP
SensorAPS-CFull Frame
ISO max25,600200,000
Burst15 fps30 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS6-stop5-stop
Weight520 g768 g
Battery640 shots—

Size and weight, to scale

CL

138 × 98 × 88 mm

520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

SL3-S

141 × 108 × 83 mm

768 g (1.69 lb / 27.09 oz)

CL is 3mm narrower and 10mm shorter than SL3-S but it is also 5mm thicker.

CL is 248 g lighter than SL3-S.

Depth (front-to-back): 88mm CL · 83mm SL3-S

Sensor size, to scale

CL

23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C

367 mm² area

SL3-S

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 lenses

Leica L

80+

native lenses available

30 first-party50 third-party

SL3-S

✓ more lenses

Leica L

80+

native lenses available

30 first-party50 third-party

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

Use caseCLSL3-S
Portrait
6.5Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Sports & Action
6.5Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
8.5Excellent✓ wins
Landscape
5.0Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Travel
8.5Excellent✓ wins
4.5Fair
Wildlife
9.0Excellent✓ wins
6.5Good
Vlogging
7.0Good✓ wins
5.5Fair

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 768 g — lower is better

  • IBIS effectiveness

    6 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better

Reasons to choose

SL3-S

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 141.2, 108, 82.7

  • AF points / zones

    779 vs 49 — higher is better

  • ISO max (native)

    200,000 vs 25,600 — 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-S supports it

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B

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
  • ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
  • ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing

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-S

Pros

  • ✓6K open-gate video
  • ✓30fps electronic burst
  • ✓24.6MP full-frame
  • ✓CFexpress plus SD

Cons

  • –Lower resolution than SL3
  • –Large body
  • –Premium price

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the CL and SL3-S at major authorized retailers.

Leica CL

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Leica SL3-S

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Full specifications

✓ = category winner

CL
SL3-S
Resolution
24.2 MP
24.6 MP✓+2%
Sensor type
APS-C CMOS
Full-frame BSI CMOS
Sensor size
23.5 × 15.6 mm
36 x 24 mm
AA filter
No
No
CL
SL3-S
Processor
Maestro IV
Maestro IV
CL
SL3-S
ISO min (native)
100
50✓−50 less
ISO max (native)
25,600
200,000✓+3 stops
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
200,000
CL
SL3-S
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical focal-plane + electronic shutter
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for travel, CL or SL3-S?

CL scores 8.5/10 versus 4.5/10 for SL3-S — 520g — compact and travel-friendly.

What's the resolution difference between the CL and SL3-S?

CL is 24.2 MP and SL3-S is 24.6 MP, so the SL3-S captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the CL and SL3-S have in-body image stabilization?

CL has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while SL3-S has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the CL or the SL3-S?

CL reaches 15 fps electronic. SL3-S reaches 30 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the CL and SL3-S?

CL weighs 520 g and SL3-S weighs 768 g, so the CL is 248 g lighter.

Do the CL and SL3-S record 4K video?

CL: 4K up to 60p. SL3-S: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p.

Are the CL and SL3-S weather sealed?

CL: Yes. SL3-S: Yes.

How much does each cost?

CL launched at $2,795 and SL3-S at $5,295. The CL is $2,500 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way CL vs SL3-S vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.