Leica SL3-S
Mirrorless Cameras

SL3-S

Leica

Released May 2024

Mirrorless camera offering 6K open gate video, solid image quality, and fast, excellent autofocus in a premium build. The Leica SL3-S scores 80/100 based on 18 expert reviews.

Critic Score

8018 reviews

Where to buy

Pros

  • 6k open gate video(13)
  • Solid image quality(7)
  • Excellent autofocus system(5)
  • Fast autofocus(5)
  • Premium build quality(4)

Cons

  • Expensive compared to competitors(9)
  • Heavy and bulky design(3)
  • Menu system is clunky(3)
  • Limited screen articulation(2)
  • Noticeable rolling shutter(2)

18 Critic Reviews

88
ChurchxstreetSep 2025

The Leica SL3-S is a premium hybrid mirrorless camera that excels in speed, durability, and image quality, making it ideal for professional storytellers who prioritize optics and build over pure speci...

87
DigitalcameraworldJan 2025

The Leica SL3-S is a triumph for the red dot brand, cementing a commitment to its mirrorless system that comes on by leaps and bounds every generation.

85
MacfilosOct 2025

The Leica SL3-S proves to be an ideal event photography camera with excellent autofocus, high ISO performance, and a logical interface, making it a compelling choice despite lacking a stacked sensor.

85
OvergaardJan 2025

The Leica SL3-S is a great excuse to upgrade to a new camera without having to deal with 60MP files or new features you haven't used before.

85
PeterpoeteJan 2026

The Leica SL3-S is a fast, robust, intuitive and genuinely impressive camera that gives you full access to the Leica SL and L-Mount ecosystem.

85
Ephotozine

The Leica SL3-S delivers excellent image quality with its Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 lens, offering outstanding sharpness, well-controlled aberrations, and strong video capabilities, though noise becomes ...

85
KeithweeJun 2024

The Leica SL3 elevates the SL system to the next performance tier with significant improvements in ergonomics, performance, and imaging quality, making it a legitimate powerhouse improvement from its ...

85
Personal-viewJan 2025

Leica's new flagship full-frame L-Mount camera for filmmakers is here, and it's undoubtedly an improvement in every way over its predecessor, the SL2-S.

85
KhaleejtimesJan 2026

The Leica SL3-S is a premium 24-megapixel full-frame camera that combines excellent photography and videography capabilities with Leica's legendary build quality and optical excellence.

82
Professionalphoto

The Leica SL3-S delivers impressive picture quality and premium build quality with good hybrid stills/video capabilities, though its complex menu system and unmarked controls present a learning curve.

80
ThephoblographerJan 2025

The Leica SL3s has autofocus that rivals Nikon and Sony, with great battery life and excellent high ISO output, though it still uses a 24MP sensor and has a clunky menu system.

80
Pcmag

The Leica SL3-S is a compelling mix of style and substance with fast focus, ProRes video, and full-frame imaging, though we can't overlook its lavish pricing.

78
F4newsJan 2025

The Leica SL3-S is a hybrid camera that swaps the 60 MP sensor of the SL3 for one with 24, making the camera faster, the video mostly preferable, the files smaller, and the price lower.

75
Dpreview

The Leica SL3-S is a beautifully-built camera with a genuinely compelling user interface, but its high price and autofocus limitations make it a niche choice.

75
FstoppersMay 2024

The Leica SL3 offers impressive build quality and advanced features but has limitations in autofocus performance and battery life that may affect its value proposition.

72
CameralabsJan 2025

The Leica SL3-S is a more affordable version of the SL3, swapping its 60 Megapixel sensor for one with 24, making the camera faster, the video capabilities mostly preferable, the files more manageable...

68
Cined

The Leica SL3-S offers solid image quality and superb build quality but faces stiff competition from more affordable alternatives with better video features.

65
PetapixelJan 2025

The Leica SL3-S is a well-designed camera with good image quality and handling, but its $5,300 price tag is hard to justify given its largely identical capabilities to the much more affordable Panason...