Leica
SL (Typ 601)
Original L-mount full-frame mirrorless that launched Leica's SL system before SL2/SL3.
$7,450
Launch priceReleased Oct 2015
Leica
SL3
60MP L-mount flagship with 8K video and Leica color science.
$6,995
Launch priceReleased Mar 2024
SL3 is 8.4 years newer.
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Wins
SL (Typ 601)
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 MP)
- BSL3 has lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
- BSL3 has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 3,690,000)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareSL (Typ 601)
147 × 104 × 39 mm
847 g (1.87 lb / 29.88 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
SL3
141 × 108 × 85 mm
769 g (1.70 lb / 27.13 oz)
SL (Typ 601) is 4mm shorter and 45mm thinner than SL3 but it is also 6mm wider.
SL (Typ 601) is 78 g heavier than SL3.
Depth (front-to-back): 39mm SL (Typ 601) · 85mm SL3
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
SL (Typ 601)
147 × 104 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.
SL (Typ 601)
147 × 39 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
SL3
141 × 85 mm
Sensor size, to scale
SL (Typ 601)
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
SL3
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
SL (Typ 601)
✓ 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
SL (Typ 601)
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 147, 104, 39.2
AA filter
Only SL (Typ 601) supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only SL (Typ 601) supports it
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 7 fps — 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 MP — higher is better
ISO min (native)
50 vs 100 — lower is better
Internal RAW video
Only SL3 supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B
EVF resolution
5,760,000 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better
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.
SL (Typ 601)
Pros
- ✓First Leica SL body
- ✓24MP full-frame
- ✓Rugged build
- ✓L-mount foundation
Cons
- –Heavy
- –Slow AF by modern standards
- –Superseded by SL2/SL3
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 SL (Typ 601) and SL3 at major authorized retailers.
Leica SL (Typ 601)
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, SL (Typ 601) or SL3?
SL3 scores 9.0/10 versus 6.0/10 for SL (Typ 601) — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the SL (Typ 601) and SL3?
SL (Typ 601) is 24 MP and SL3 is 60.3 MP, so the SL3 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the SL (Typ 601) and SL3 have in-body image stabilization?
SL (Typ 601) has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while SL3 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the SL (Typ 601) or the SL3?
SL (Typ 601) reaches 20 fps electronic. SL3 reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the SL (Typ 601) and SL3?
SL (Typ 601) weighs 847 g and SL3 weighs 769 g, so the SL3 is 78 g lighter.
Do the SL (Typ 601) and SL3 record 4K video?
SL (Typ 601): 4K up to 60p. SL3: 8K / C8K (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the SL (Typ 601) and SL3 weather sealed?
SL (Typ 601): Yes. SL3: Yes.
How much does each cost?
SL (Typ 601) launched at $7,450 and SL3 at $6,995. The SL3 is $455 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way SL (Typ 601) vs SL3 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Leica press materials.