The latest offering from Leica is the SL mirrorless system camera and is set to inspire and impress aficionado of the brand and lovers of premium quality camera gear. The company’s investment in mirrorless technology is further evidence that they believe it’s something that’s very much here to stay, and become regular inclusions in the kits of working professionals, claiming that the SL “sets new standards in terms of speed, picture quality and versatility”.
Naturally, made in Germany, the camera boasts a 24-megapixel full-frame sensor, a super-sharp electronic viewfinder, and an array of brilliant Leica lenses to fall back on. Currently, there are three SL-specific lenses, but almost any other Leica lens can be used with the relevant adapter. The line-up includes the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24–90 mm f/2.8–4 ASPH, Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90–280 mm f/2.8–4, and Leica Summilux-SL 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH.
The viewfinder relies on a new technology from Leica, EyeRes, and has a latency time below the threshold of perception, a resolutions of 4.4 megapixels and a magnification reminiscent of a medium format camera. The viewfinder is activated simply by looking through it, and provides you with an accurate representation of what your final image will look like, before you even press the shutter. The camera also has a 2.95” back panel display with a viewing angle of up to 170° coupled with touchscreen menu navigation.
The 2GB buffer memory, together with Leica’s high-performance Maestro II series processor, allows you to capture images at a rate of up to 11 frames per second at full resolution as well as 4K video with a frame rate of 30 frames per second. Recording video in Cine4K, one can capture 24 frames per second, while full HD records video at up to 120 frames per second and makes use of the entire sensor area. Ideal for low-light applications, ISO can be set to a maximum of 50,000, and the shutter provides speed from 30 minutes up to 1/8000 sec.
As is the way with Leica, the build quality is phenomenal, with body components machined from solid aluminium and precisely engineered seals around controls and in the lenses to provide optimum protection against dust, moisture and splashes from all the goodness inside.
The Leica SL (Type 601) body has an RRP of $11,000 while the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90 mm f/2.8-4 ASPH will set you back $6,900.
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