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SL3

Leica

SL3

60MP L-mount flagship with 8K video and Leica color science.

$6,995

Launch price

Released Mar 2024

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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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SL3-S is 10 months newer.

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Wins

1categories

SL3

★ Landscape★ Video & Hybrid

Wins

3categories

SL3-S

★ Video & Hybrid★ Landscape

11 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

SL3 wins 1 categories·SL3-S wins 3 categories
  • ASL3 has higher Resolution (60.3 MP vs 24.6 MP)
  • BSL3-S has higher ISO max (native) (200,000 vs 100,000)
  • BSL3-S has higher Max video bit rate (200 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
  • BSL3-S has lower Weight (768 g vs 769 g)

Key specs at a glance

SL3SL3-S
Resolution60.3 MP24.6 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max100,000200,000
Burst30 fps30 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS5-stop5-stop
Weight769 g768 g

Size and weight, to scale

SL3 front view

SL3

141 × 108 × 85 mm

769 g (1.70 lb / 27.13 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)

SL3 is 2mm thicker than SL3-S.

SL3 is 1 g heavier than SL3-S.

Depth (front-to-back): 85mm SL3 · 83mm SL3-S

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

SL3 back view

SL3

141 × 108 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

SL3-S

141 × 108 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

SL3 top view

SL3

141 × 85 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

SL3-S

141 × 83 mm

Sensor size, to scale

SL3

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

SL3-S

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

SL3

✓ more lenses

Leica L

80+

native lenses available

30 first-party50 third-party

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 caseSL3SL3-S
Portrait
8.5Excellent✓ wins
7.5Good
Sports & Action
6.0Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent✓ wins
8.5Excellent
Landscape
10.0Excellent✓ wins
8.0Excellent
Travel
3.5Limited
4.5Fair✓ wins
Wildlife
6.5Good
6.5Good
Vlogging
5.5Fair
5.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

SL3

  • Resolution

    60.3 MP vs 24.6 MP — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 84.6

Reasons to choose

SL3-S

  • ISO max (native)

    200,000 vs 100,000 — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 82.7

  • Max video bit rate

    200 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better

  • Weight

    768 g vs 769 g — lower is better

Both cameras share

  • ✓ISO min (native) — Both 50
  • ✓AF points / zones — Both 779
  • ✓AF frame coverage — Both 100 %
  • ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
  • ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
  • ✓Burst (mechanical) — Both 7 fps

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

SL3

Pros

  • ✓60MP
  • ✓8K video
  • ✓Leica build
  • ✓L-mount

Cons

  • –Very expensive
  • –Heavy
  • –Large files

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 SL3 and SL3-S at major authorized retailers.

Leica SL3

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Leica SL3-S

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Full specifications

✓ = category winner

SL3
SL3-S
Resolution
60.3 MP✓2.5× more
24.6 MP
Sensor type
Full-frame BSI CMOS
Full-frame BSI CMOS
Sensor size
36 x 24 mm
36 x 24 mm
AA filter
No
No
SL3
SL3-S
Processor
Maestro IV
Maestro IV
SL3
SL3-S
ISO min (native)
50
50
ISO max (native)
100,000
200,000✓+1 stop
ISO max (expanded)
100,000
200,000
SL3
SL3-S
Shutter type
Mechanical focal-plane + electronic shutter
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, SL3 or SL3-S?

SL3 scores 10.0/10 versus 8.0/10 for SL3-S — 60.3MP — massive detail for large prints.

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

SL3 is 60.3 MP and SL3-S is 24.6 MP, so the SL3 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

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

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

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

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

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

SL3 weighs 769 g and SL3-S weighs 768 g, so the SL3-S is 1 g lighter.

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

SL3: 8K / C8K (max), 4K up to 60p. SL3-S: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p.

Are the SL3 and SL3-S weather sealed?

SL3: Yes. SL3-S: Yes.

How much does each cost?

SL3 launched at $6,995 and SL3-S at $5,295. The SL3-S is $1,700 less.

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

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

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

Product images courtesy of Leica press materials.