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Leica

M6

Reissued mechanical M rangefinder for 35mm film — the classic Leica experience returns.

$5,695

Launch price

Released Oct 2022

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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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Full specs →

SL3-S is 2.3 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

M6

★ Vlogging★ Portrait

Wins

8categories

SL3-S

★ Video & Hybrid★ Landscape

5 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

M6 wins 0 categories·SL3-S wins 5 categories
  • BSL3-S has higher Resolution (24.6 MP vs 0 MP)
  • 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)

Key specs at a glance

M6SL3-S
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max25,600200,000
Burst15 fps30 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS6-stop5-stop
Weight598 g768 g
Battery640 shots—
Resolution—24.6 MP

Size and weight, to scale

M6

139 × 79 × 38 mm

598 g (1.32 lb / 21.09 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)

M6 is 3mm narrower, 29mm shorter, and 44mm thinner than SL3-S.

M6 is 170 g lighter than SL3-S.

Depth (front-to-back): 38mm M6 · 83mm SL3-S

Sensor size, to scale

M6

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

SL3-S

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

M6: mount data unavailable

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 caseM6SL3-S
Portrait
6.5Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
7.5Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
8.5Excellent✓ wins
Landscape
4.0Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Travel
6.0Good✓ wins
4.5Fair
Wildlife
6.5Good
6.5Good
Vlogging
7.0Good✓ wins
5.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

M6

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 138.6, 79.3, 38.25

  • AA filter

    Only M6 supports it

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Bird, Vehicle

  • Pre-Capture / Pre-Release

    Only M6 supports it

  • Weight

    598 g vs 768 g — lower is better

  • IBIS effectiveness

    6 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better

Reasons to choose

SL3-S

  • Resolution

    24.6 MP vs 0 MP — higher is better

  • 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

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)
  • ✓Card slots — Both 2

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

M6

Pros

  • ✓Mechanical film M
  • ✓Iconic design
  • ✓Built to last
  • ✓Pure analog workflow

Cons

  • –Film only
  • –Manual everything
  • –Ongoing film/processing costs

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 M6 and SL3-S at major authorized retailers.

Leica M6

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Leica SL3-S

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Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

✓ = category winner

M6
SL3-S
Resolution
0 MP
24.6 MP✓
Sensor type
Film (35mm)
Full-frame BSI CMOS
Sensor size
36.0 × 24.0 mm
36 x 24 mm
AA filter
Yes
No
M6
SL3-S
Processor
Maestro IV
Maestro IV
M6
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
M6
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 landscape, M6 or SL3-S?

SL3-S scores 8.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for M6 — Full-frame sensor — wider dynamic range.

What's the resolution difference between the M6 and SL3-S?

M6 is 0 MP and SL3-S is 24.6 MP, so the SL3-S captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the M6 and SL3-S have in-body image stabilization?

M6 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while SL3-S has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the M6 or the SL3-S?

M6 reaches 15 fps electronic. SL3-S reaches 30 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the M6 and SL3-S?

M6 weighs 598 g and SL3-S weighs 768 g, so the M6 is 170 g lighter.

Do the M6 and SL3-S record 4K video?

M6: 4K up to 60p. SL3-S: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p.

Are the M6 and SL3-S weather sealed?

M6: No. SL3-S: Yes.

How much does each cost?

M6 launched at $5,695 and SL3-S at $5,295. The SL3-S is $400 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way M6 vs SL3-S vs X comparison.

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