I’ve been working with Leica cameras for over a decade, taking them with me on my adventures across the globe and continuing a family legacy with Leica that spans over 50 years. For about five years the M240 digital rangefinder was my travel companion across three continents, capturing joyous moments and times of grief. The rangefinder experience was natural for me, but after five years, I was starting to desire more flexibility. In 2023, I made the leap to the SL system with the SL2-S and it has changed how I photograph.
The Leica SL2-S was released in late 2020 as a lower-priced entry model to the SL-system. That’s not to say Leica cheapened the camera compared to the earlier SL2. According to Leica, the SL2-S was made to prioritize low light performance (at a lower resolution; 24mp vs. 47mp) and video-recording capabilities. Hence, Leica designed this camera to be a complement to the SL2, rather than a separate “cheaper/reduced” model.
It makes sense then that the SL2 and the SL2-S’ bodies, besides the sensor, are the same with the exception that the “Leica” logo on the viewfinder hump is blacked-out/not painted on the SL2-S. Both cameras are weather-sealed with an IP54 rating, meaning the camera is dust and splash resistant in a full metal body. Today, most of both cameras’ specs are long outclassed by the competition, and even within Leica’s own ecosystem, the SL2-S has been superseded by the SL3-S.
But shooting with a Leica camera is so much more than just the technical specs and performance – it’s about the image-making process. Yes, this sounds cliché coming from a Leica geek, but I don’t care. It’s true.
Technical Stuff
The sensor at the heart of the Leica SL2-S is a 24-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor capable of capturing images at an ISO range of 50-100,000 and recording video at 4K at 30p. Like most modern Leica digital cameras, the sensor lacks an anti-aliasing filter, resulting in crisper details at the consequence of moire appearing on images with fine patterns. The SL2-S features a five axis in-body sensor stabilization up to 5.5 stops. The mechanical shutter is capable of exposing at speeds from 30 minutes to 1/8000th second, with a flash synchronization speed of 1/250th second. Continuous high speed shooting on the mechanical shutter is up to 9 frames/second, while on the electronic shutter, the camera is capable of shooting up to 25 frames/second. Featuring a 4GB buffer and dual SD card slots, the camera can shoot unlimited frames in continuous burst without ever running into the “blinking red light” situation.
The Leica SL2-S features a stunning 5.76MP electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a 3.2 inch, 2.1MP LED touchscreen display on the back of the camera and a 1.26 inch monochromatic information screen at the top of the camera body. Battery is capable of powering the camera up to 510 shots per charge – pretty impressive for a mirrorless digital camera these days. The body weighs in at a whopping 931 grams with the battery.
Of course, all of this could be gleaned from the camera’s manual. What’s this camera like in the field?
My (Mostly Good) Experiences
My first hands-on experience with the SL-system was with the original SL Typ 601 in 2016. At the time, the Leica L-mount was still relatively new, so there were a lot less lens options to choose from. I borrowed the SL with the 24-90mm f/2.8-4 lens that was the standard zoom lens at the time for a 24-hour test drive from Leica. Though impressed with the image quality, the physical size and weight put me off, along with the lack of image stabilization, especially noticeable when shooting aerials over downtown Los Angeles from a door-less helicopter.
Fast forward to 2023, when it was time for me to upgrade from my M240 to something much more flexible. I chose the SL2-S with a Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens. The 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is composed of 19 glass elements in 15 groups with 3 aspherical elements. Scrolling around the web, the lens was actually manufactured by Sigma to Leica’s build specifications and is identical to the Sigma version of this lens. Key differences, besides the more expensive price tag (it costs more than double of the Sigma version) and Leica branding, the lens barrel is made from anodized metal, is weather sealed, and lacks AF/MF and image stabilization switches on the barrel.
Unlike James’ hilariously disastrous experience with Leica’s first digital point-and-shoot camera, my time with the SL2-S has been the total opposite. Despite being introduced four years ago in 2020, it is still an extremely capable camera in basically any and every situation. Just like my previous M240, the SL2-S quickly joined me as my travel companion on my adventures across the world. Despite weighing in at a whopping 1837 grams in total (4.05 lbs) and being significantly larger and heavier than my M240, Leica vastly improved the ergonomics from the previous SL601 with a beefier grip and softer, rounded corners/edges.
Many photographers will find the camera body to be quite intimidating due to the design of the user interface. The control interface shares commonality with the M10 and the Q2. There are only 6 total buttons (including the shutter button) and only half of them are actually labeled. Like almost all modern mirrorless cameras, different buttons and dials can be customized to each photographer’s preferences. Since I started on Canon for digital photography in 2011, I customized my dials and buttons to be similar to Canon’s interface. The lack of physical controls on the SL2-S never really bothered me and the button layout, in my opinion, is greatly improved over the original SL601, whose control layout is similar to their now-discontinued S-system cameras.
As a stills-only photographer (I’ve not shot videos since taking New Genres in undergrad in 2019), the SL2-S is (almost) the perfect camera for me. Like all mirrorless cameras, besides the native L-mount lenses, the SL2-S can mount almost any lens with the use of lens mount adapters. I occasionally mount my M42 and Nikon F-mount lenses on the body just for that vintage bokehlicious look. With the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens included in my bundle, autofocus is fast and accurate in bright lighting conditions. Autofocus does tend to hunt a bit in scenes with dim lighting, which is honestly my only complaint about this camera. This was especially more obvious trying to shoot images of animal exhibits at aquariums that contain minimal lighting.
As a photographer growing up being taught traditionalism in photography, I’ll admit I rarely, if ever, go past ISO 6400. Having started photography with a Canon Rebel T3 and a 7D from the early 2010s, low-light performance on these was pretty crap past ISO 800 or 1600. Not so much an issue on the SL2-S. I just never saw the need to ever go past 6400. I usually shoot about 1-2.5 stops underexposed and then push files in post anyways. At ISO 3200, in practically pitch black lighting at Joshua Tree National Park, I do notice files being littered with hot pixels when zoomed in during post, but let’s face it – unless you’re an obsessive pixel-peeper, those hot pixels will not show up in the tiny resolutions of social media or even prints.
Color science and accurate color reproduction is something that is particularly important to me. I have found that Leica digital cameras have a tendency to have vibrant reds, and this was something that was a con for me when I predominantly shot portrait work. Skin tones lean towards red and orange quite a bit – not exactly a big issue for me since that can be adjusted in post, but it is something that photographers should keep in mind. Other than that red leaning shift, the color science from Leica is actually quite neutral (lookin’ at you, Sony) and files are quite flexible for color grading and adjustments.
Build quality on Leica cameras have always been top notch, and the SL2-S is no exception. Short story time: in January 2024, I was hiking the rocky cliffs of Taiwan near the ocean when suddenly I lost footing and slipped off the cliff towards the water below. The SL2-S was hanging from my neck in front of me. I fell approximately 25 feet before getting caught on a small ledge about 20 feet above the water. The SL2-S took the brunt of the impact into the rocks below when I fell off the cliff, instead of my skull. My chin impacted the hot shoe on top of the camera. The metal lens hood from the 24-70mm was damaged beyond repair, but both the camera and lens were completely unscathed. I escaped with just bruises, abrasions and a hot shoe-shaped cut on my chin. This camera is an absolute rugged tank – always ready for the next adventure without much worry.
Image Quality
Subjectively, image quality from the SL2-S is amazing. The “Leica look” that a lot of people talk about on social media is up to opinion, so I won’t get too much into that. I don’t really see the “Leica look” in my images, however, the SL-system was not really designed around just that. It was a bold step by Leica to enter the professional mirrorless market. It was Leica (finally) embracing technology during a time when their product lineup was still relatively conservative and retrospective.
Combined with the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, I am impressed. Details are crisp, images are clean from noise and grain, even at higher ISO settings. All these attributes just made this camera the perfect imaging tool and adventure camera for me. Besides the occasional hot pixels that appear when I push the files hard (that’s on me, to be honest), there isn’t much I could ever complain about. At 24 megapixels, that is the magic number for me for full frame cameras. It combines more-than-enough resolution and low light performance – things that I prioritize. My rationale was that anything larger in resolution, I would prefer to shoot medium format instead.
Dynamic range is also quite wide on this camera, which makes pushing files in post so much more flexible without losing detail or having mushy shadows to work with. This was particularly useful for me when shooting landscapes in a variety of lighting and contrast situations, especially since I usually underexpose my shots in camera to preserve highlights from blowing out. I would also recommend photographers with this camera to underexpose as well as I have observed that shooting correct exposure on the light meter generally results in slightly overexposed images. Blown highlights can be saved but at a much more limited capacity than pushing shadow details.
Pricing and Value
It’s an obvious fact that Leica cameras are among the most expensive on the market. The general public and the photo community can be quick to judge. Personally, with the Leica SL2-S, I did not find the price to be all that bad. I paid about $7,000 for the camera, the lens, and an extra battery, and that is a large chunk of money. But the SL2-S body today is about $2,000, and keep in mind that it is a professional level camera. Pro-level cameras usually command very high prices. For perspective, the SL2-S is actually cheaper than the flagship professional offerings from Canon, Nikon and Sony.
Sure, these prices will definitely make your bank account cry, but that’s the reality – camera gear is expensive. Leica is expensive. And yes, I am aware of cheaper full-frame offerings from those respective companies. Prior to Leica, I shot Sony, Fujifilm and Hasselblad when I transitioned to mirrorless. Minus the Hasselblad, I just could not get myself around to shooting Sony and Fuji – it just was not for me. To each their own, but I firmly believe that the SL2-S represents a great value in combination of all-around quality that fit my specific needs as a photographer.
Final Thoughts
Yes, this has been a love letter. But that’s because the SL2-S is an amazing camera. Having traveled through three countries in Asia and countless destinations within the United States, the SL2-S quickly established itself as the only camera for me during this phase of my life. With an upcoming month-long trip through East and Southeast Asia, you can bet that the SL2-S will be by my side as I pass along five countries.
For those looking for a high quality all-around camera for their own imaging or videography work, I highly recommend the Leica SL2-S. Sure, the SL3 and SL3-S exists, but that does not mean the SL2-S is in any way inferior just because it’s an older model. It’s just as capable of a professional camera today as it was when it came out in 2020. With recent price cuts from Leica on the SL2-S (likely a push to clear remaining stock), getting into the Leica SL ecosystem has just become slightly more accessible to a wide range of photographers.
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