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M EV1

Leica

M EV1

Digital Leica M with integrated 5.76M-dot EVF, 60MP full-frame sensor, and manual M-mount focusing.

$8,995

Launch price

Released Oct 2025

vs
SL3

Leica

SL3

60MP L-mount flagship with 8K video and Leica color science.

$6,995

Launch price

Released Mar 2024

M EV1 is 1.6 years newer.

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Wins

1categories

M EV1

Landscape

Wins

9categories

SL3

LandscapeVideo & Hybrid

4 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

M EV1 wins 0 categories·SL3 wins 5 categories
  • BSL3 has higher AF points / zones (779 vs 0)
  • BSL3 has higher IBIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BSL3 has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 4.5 fps)
  • BSL3 has higher ISO max (native) (100,000 vs 50,000)
  • BSL3 has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)

Key specs at a glance

M EV1SL3
Resolution60.3 MP60.3 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max50,000100,000
Burst4.5 fps30 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBISNo5-stop
Weight495 g769 g
Battery700 shots

Size and weight, to scale

M EV1 front view

M EV1

139 × 80 × 39 mm

495 g (1.09 lb / 17.46 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 front view

SL3

141 × 108 × 85 mm

769 g (1.70 lb / 27.13 oz)

M EV1 is 2mm narrower, 28mm shorter, and 46mm thinner than SL3.

M EV1 is 274 g lighter than SL3.

Depth (front-to-back): 39mm M EV1 · 85mm SL3

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

M EV1 back view

M EV1

139 × 80 mm

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

SL3 back view

SL3

141 × 108 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

M EV1 top view

M EV1

139 × 39 mm

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

SL3 top view

SL3

141 × 85 mm

Sensor size, to scale

M EV1

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

SL3

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

M EV1: mount data unavailable

SL3

✓ 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 caseM EV1SL3
Portrait
5.5Fair
8.5Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
1.0Limited
6.0Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
2.5Limited
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Landscape
6.5Good
10.0Excellent✓ wins
Travel
5.5Fair✓ wins
3.5Limited
Wildlife
0.0Limited
6.5Good✓ wins
Vlogging
4.0Fair
5.5Fair✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

M EV1

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 139, 80, 38.5

  • Weight

    495 g vs 769 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose

SL3

  • AF points / zones

    779 vs 0 — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Human, Animal

  • Codecs

    Adds H.265, H.264, Apple ProRes

  • IBIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 141.2, 108, 84.6

  • Burst (electronic)

    30 fps vs 4.5 fps — higher is better

  • ISO max (native)

    100,000 vs 50,000 — higher is better

  • Eye AF

    Only SL3 supports it

Both cameras share

  • ResolutionBoth 60.3 MP
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 60 fps
  • Max video bit rateBoth 150 Mbps
  • EVF resolutionBoth 5,760,000
  • TouchscreenBoth support touchscreen
  • Wi-FiBoth support wi-fi

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

M EV1

Pros

  • Integrated EVF
  • 60MP full-frame sensor
  • Leica M mount
  • 64GB internal memory

Cons

  • Manual focus only
  • No video
  • Very expensive

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 M EV1 and SL3 at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

M EV1
SL3
Resolution
60.3 MP
60.3 MP
Sensor type
Full-frame BSI CMOS
Full-frame BSI CMOS
Sensor size
36 x 24 mm
36 x 24 mm
AA filter
No
No
M EV1
SL3
Processor
Maestro III
Maestro IV
M EV1
SL3
ISO min (native)
64
50−14 less
ISO max (native)
50,000
100,000+1 stop
ISO max (expanded)
50,000
100,000
M EV1
SL3
Shutter type
Electronically controlled focal-plane shutter + electronic shutter
Mechanical focal-plane + electronic shutter
Max mechanical speed
1/4000 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 video, M EV1 or SL3?

SL3 scores 9.0/10 versus 2.5/10 for M EV1 — 8K recording for future-proof footage.

What's the resolution difference between the M EV1 and SL3?

Both cameras share the same 60.3 MP resolution.

Do the M EV1 and SL3 have in-body image stabilization?

M EV1 does not have IBIS, while SL3 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the M EV1 or the SL3?

M EV1 reaches 4.5 fps electronic. SL3 reaches 30 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the M EV1 and SL3?

M EV1 weighs 495 g and SL3 weighs 769 g, so the M EV1 is 274 g lighter.

Do the M EV1 and SL3 record 4K video?

M EV1: 4K up to 60p. SL3: 8K / C8K (max), 4K up to 60p.

Are the M EV1 and SL3 weather sealed?

M EV1: No. SL3: Yes.

How much does each cost?

M EV1 launched at $8,995 and SL3 at $6,995. The SL3 is $2,000 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way M EV1 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.