Following the launch of the SL3 in 2024 and last year’s SL3-S that was optimized for speed and capturing fast moving subjects, Leica announced the new SL3-P today delivering some of the best features from both of its predecessors. Like Leica’s previous “P” variants, the new SL3-P lacks the brand’s iconic and recognizable red dot badge on the front but makes up for it with a larger 44-megapixel sensor than last year’s 24-megapixel SL3-S. That’s still less resolution than the 60-megapixel SL3, but Leica’s new camera matches the original’s 8K video capabilities while introducing a new hybrid autofocus system that will potentially outperform both of its predecessors.
The Leica SL3-P is available starting today through Leica’s stores and authorized dealers for $6,690. That’s cheaper than the original SL3 that launched in 2024 for $6,995 but was recently subjected to a price increase to $7,485 as a result of US tariffs. The SL3-P is also slightly more expensive than the SL3-S that launched early last year for $5,300 and is now priced at $5,665. Just keep in mind that price is for the camera body only. If you don’t already have L-mount lenses, you’ll want to expand your budget even further.
The SL3-P’s full-frame back-side illuminated sensor can capture still images with 14 stops of dynamic range at up to 40 frames per second with autofocus and subject tracking. The camera’s new hybrid autofocus system combines contrast detection and depth mapping with 819 phase-detection autofocus points for improved subject tracking. Last year’s SL3-S featured 779 points, while the original SL3 only had 315. If you need more resolution, the SL3-P offers a Multishot mode that can capture high-res 176-megapixel images by compositing multiple shots.
Last year’s SL3-S was limited to 6K video captures, but the SL3-P can capture open-gate 8.1K (a resolution of 8064 x 5376) footage using the camera’s entire 3:2 sensor at up to 24fps, while its 8K capabilities max out at 30fps. Dropping the resolution to 5.9K boosts frame rates to up to 60fps, while 120fps slo-mo footage can be captured at 4K or 1080P.
The SL3-P’s full metal housing is made from a mix of magnesium and aluminum wrapped in a textured leatherette material and comes with an IP54 rating. It will keep out water splashes and dust, but you’ll want to avoid shooting in the rain. On the back of the camera you’ll find a 5.7 million dot viewfinder and a 3.2-inch LCD display with an anti-fingerprint and anti-scratch coating. The rear screen can be angled up and down, but it can’t flip 180-degrees for previewing selfie videos. Leica is carrying forward the streamlined UI of its previous SL3 cameras that uses a color-coded menu system with red for photos and yellow for video. Atop the SL3-P you’ll also find a 1.28-inch reflective monochrome screen displaying shooting info like shutter speed and f-stop settings.
One other feature inherited from the SL3-S is support for the Content Authenticity Initiative’s Content Credentials so photographers can protect their photos by optionally signing images with tamper-proof metadata identifying their intellectual property.
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