Leica SL3 full-frame mirrorless camera | Crutchfield

The Leica SL3 features a 60-megapixel full-frame sensor, Leica's legendary build quality, and a slew of photographer-friendly and video-centric controls that make it one of the best camera systems money can buy.

The SL3 uses Leica's L mount, and features Leica's legendary build quality and engineering. In hand, it's obvious immediately that you're holding a serious tool, as you'd expect from Leica. But unlike their iconic M cameras, the SL3 is a thoroughly modern instrument with advanced autofocus and video capabilities.

A lot of processing power is needed here to keep up with the information gathered by the full-frame, 60-megapixel sensor, and Leica's Maestro IV chip does the job. It's got a lot to do. Leica claims up to 15 stops of dynamic range, in 14-bit color, with 5-axis in-body stabilization and a very precise autofocus system, which got us thinking.

We wanted to evaluate the SL3 for both stills and video. We figured the stills and lenses would be top-notch, but were very interested in what we could do with that dynamic range and processing power in the video realm. So we let our camera writer and one of our videographers take the SL3 out and give it a test. In this video, they get back together to talk about their experiences and conclusions.

0:00 Overview of the SL3
0:47 Programmable controls
1:54 Still image quality first impressions
2:36 First impression from video standpoint
3:42 Physical size and feel
4:15 Shooting stills
5:18 Shooting video
7:29 Perfect for portraits
8:32 Menu system
9:07 Designed with a purpose
9:58 It's about the look
10:55 Built to last
11:39 Conclusions