Leica Makes Serious Improvements with SL2 Mirrorless Camera

“An evolution” is how Leica describes of the just-announced SL2 Mirrorless Camera, and it fits. Leica has made several notable-but-subtle changes to the exterior of their flagship full-frame mirrorless camera and some impressive updates under the hood. Ergonomics have been optimized, specs have been vastly improved, and the user interface is even more intuitive. To highlight one of the critical upgrades, it would be the use of a 47.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor and the latest Maestro III Image Processor. Blending this imaging pipeline with Leica design sensibilities makes the SL2 one of the best full-frame mirrorless options on the market today.

A Maestro of Digital Imaging

Having been designed in Germany is a selling point of the latest Leica camera, though the SL2 shines when you start talking about its core imaging specs. The 47.3MP full-frame CMOS features minimal glass surfaces and omits the low-pass filter to reduce the chance of reflections negatively impacting images while the micro lenses ensure the utmost in quality is captured when paired with phenomenal Leica lenses, including those designed for the legendary M mount via adapters or the native L mount.

Making the most of this sensor is the Maestro III Image Processor. This will allow the SL2 to realize a dynamic range of around to 14 stops and a sensitivity range of ISO 50-50000. Speed also comes into play, with this model reaching continuous shooting speeds of up to 20 fps, and a 4GB buffer handling approximately 78 full-resolution DNG raw files in a row. Autofocus has been improved with 225 contrast-detect fields and Leica Object Detection which makes calculations at 480 fps for tracking extremely fast-moving subjects. This frame rate is possible with the electronic shutter and without continuous AF. For full continuous focusing performance the camera will work at up to 6 fps.