Leica
SL3-S
Fast 24.6MP L-mount hybrid with 6K open-gate video, 30fps burst, and 5-axis stabilization.
$5,295
Released Jan 2025
SL3-S is 5.2 years newer.
Wins
SL2
Wins
SL3-S
5 categories tied
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)
- ASL2 has higher Resolution (47.3 MP vs 24.6 MP)
- BSL3-S has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 3,690,000)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
SL2
138 × 98 × 88 mm
720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)
SL3-S
141 × 108 × 83 mm
768 g (1.69 lb / 27.09 oz)
SL2 is 3mm narrower and 10mm shorter than SL3-S but it is also 5mm thicker.
SL2 is 48 g lighter than SL3-S.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm SL2 · 83mm SL3-S
Sensor size, to scale
SL2
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
SL3-S
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
SL2
✓ 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
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
Resolution
47.3 MP vs 24.6 MP — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 7 fps — higher is better
Weight
720 g vs 768 g — lower 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 — Both support in-body stabilization
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
SL2
Pros
- ✓47MP
- ✓L-mount
- ✓Leica quality
Cons
- –Superseded
- –Heavy
- –Expensive
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
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, SL2 or SL3-S?
SL3-S scores 8.5/10 versus 6.0/10 for SL2 — 6K video for oversampled 4K.
What's the resolution difference between the SL2 and SL3-S?
SL2 is 47.3 MP and SL3-S is 24.6 MP, so the SL2 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the SL2 and SL3-S have in-body image stabilization?
SL2 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while sL3-S has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the SL2 or the SL3-S?
SL2 reaches 20 fps electronic. SL3-S reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the SL2 and SL3-S?
SL2 weighs 720 g and SL3-S weighs 768 g, so the SL2 is 48 g lighter.
Do the SL2 and SL3-S record 4K video?
SL2: 4K up to 60p. SL3-S: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the SL2 and SL3-S weather sealed?
SL2: Yes. SL3-S: Yes.
How much does each cost?
SL2 launched at $5,895 and SL3-S at $5,295. The SL3-S is $600 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.