Leica
SL2
47MP L-mount body before the SL3 generation.
$5,895
Launch priceReleased Nov 2019
Leica
SL3
60MP L-mount flagship with 8K video and Leica color science.
$6,995
Launch priceReleased Mar 2024
SL3 is 4.3 years newer.
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Wins
SL2
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 lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
- BSL3 has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 3,690,000)
- BSL3 has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 20 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareSL2
138 × 98 × 88 mm
720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
SL3
141 × 108 × 85 mm
769 g (1.70 lb / 27.13 oz)
SL2 is 3mm narrower and 10mm shorter than SL3 but it is also 3mm thicker.
SL2 is 49 g lighter than SL3.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm SL2 · 85mm SL3
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
SL2
138 × 98 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.
SL2
138 × 88 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
SL3
141 × 85 mm
Sensor size, to scale
SL2
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
SL3
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
SL2
✓ 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
SL2
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
AA filter
Only SL2 supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only SL2 supports it
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 7 fps — higher is better
Weight
720 g vs 769 g — lower 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
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
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
- ✓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.
SL2
Pros
- ✓47MP
- ✓L-mount
- ✓Leica quality
Cons
- –Superseded
- –Heavy
- –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 SL2 and SL3 at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, SL2 or SL3?
SL3 scores 9.0/10 versus 6.0/10 for SL2 — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the SL2 and SL3?
SL2 is 47.3 MP and SL3 is 60.3 MP, so the SL3 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the SL2 and SL3 have in-body image stabilization?
SL2 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while SL3 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the SL2 or the SL3?
SL2 reaches 20 fps electronic. SL3 reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the SL2 and SL3?
SL2 weighs 720 g and SL3 weighs 769 g, so the SL2 is 49 g lighter.
Do the SL2 and SL3 record 4K video?
SL2: 4K up to 60p. SL3: 8K / C8K (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the SL2 and SL3 weather sealed?
SL2: Yes. SL3: Yes.
How much does each cost?
SL2 launched at $5,895 and SL3 at $6,995. The SL2 is $1,100 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way SL2 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.