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-S
Fast 24.6MP L-mount hybrid with 6K open-gate video, 30fps burst, and 5-axis stabilization.
$5,295
Launch priceReleased Jan 2025
SL3-S is 9.3 years newer.
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Wins
SL (Typ 601)
Wins
SL3-S
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- 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 lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
- BSL3-S has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 3,690,000)
- BSL3-S has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 20 fps)
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-S
141 × 108 × 83 mm
768 g (1.69 lb / 27.09 oz)
SL (Typ 601) is 4mm shorter and 44mm thinner than SL3-S but it is also 6mm wider.
SL (Typ 601) is 79 g heavier than SL3-S.
Depth (front-to-back): 39mm SL (Typ 601) · 83mm SL3-S
Sensor size, to scale
SL (Typ 601)
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
SL3-S
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
SL (Typ 601)
✓ more lensesLeica L
80+
native lenses available
SL3-S
✓ 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-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
ISO min (native)
50 vs 100 — lower is better
Internal RAW video
Only SL3-S supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B
EVF resolution
5,760,000 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 20 fps — 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
- ✓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.
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-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 SL (Typ 601) and SL3-S at major authorized retailers.
Leica SL (Typ 601)
Leica SL3-S
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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-S?
SL3-S scores 8.5/10 versus 6.0/10 for SL (Typ 601) — 6K video for oversampled 4K.
What's the resolution difference between the SL (Typ 601) and SL3-S?
SL (Typ 601) is 24 MP and SL3-S is 24.6 MP, so the SL3-S captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the SL (Typ 601) and SL3-S have in-body image stabilization?
SL (Typ 601) has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while SL3-S has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the SL (Typ 601) or the SL3-S?
SL (Typ 601) reaches 20 fps electronic. SL3-S reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the SL (Typ 601) and SL3-S?
SL (Typ 601) weighs 847 g and SL3-S weighs 768 g, so the SL3-S is 79 g lighter.
Do the SL (Typ 601) and SL3-S record 4K video?
SL (Typ 601): 4K up to 60p. SL3-S: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the SL (Typ 601) and SL3-S weather sealed?
SL (Typ 601): Yes. SL3-S: Yes.
How much does each cost?
SL (Typ 601) launched at $7,450 and SL3-S at $5,295. The SL3-S is $2,155 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way SL (Typ 601) vs SL3-S vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.