• Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 47.3 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 50,000

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Differences

Leica S3 advantages over Leica SL2

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.09x vs 0.78x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    64.0 vs 47.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Leica SL2 advantages over Leica S3

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    928g vs 1260g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    78 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/40000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS

Leica S3
Canon 5DS
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon 5DS

Leica SL2
Canon 5DS
  • $6263
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Leica SL2 vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Pentax K-1

Leica S3
Pentax K-1
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S3 vs Pentax K-1

Leica SL2
Pentax K-1
  • $6263
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-1

Compared to Canon 6D Mark II

Leica S3
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon 6D Mark II

Leica SL2
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $6263
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Canon 6D Mark II

Compared to Leica M10-R

Leica S3
Leica M10-R
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $8295
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen

Compare Leica S3 vs Leica M10-R

Leica SL2
Leica M10-R
  • $6263
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $8295
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Lighter weight

Compare Leica SL2 vs Leica M10-R

Compared to Sony A1

Leica S3
Sony A1
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in GPS
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S3 vs Sony A1

Leica SL2
Sony A1
  • $6263
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Sony A1

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