LEICA SL2-S | Still Nearly Perfect with One (maybe two) Fatal Flaw(s)

I’ll spoil the review here, the Leica SL2-S is nearly perfect for any application that doesn’t rely on the latest autofocus tracking. It’s the best experience out there for a DSLR-style body outside of maybe the Hasselblad X2D (if you count that).

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[lukasvanderlende]

SL2S is my favorite hybrid camera I’ve ever used, even with all its flaws

[camelotvanerven]

Just bought one, it compliments my M so well!

[baharam]

I absolutely LOVE my SL2-S and ever since I purchased it, I don't miss any other camera! For me, it is a match made in camera heaven!

[mudiappahpillai]

With the latest firmware update, you can set a press-function for the wheel - so you can assign ISO to it as a secondary function.

[AskMOTT]

Great breakdown Benj, I appreciate the honesty and thoughtful anaylsis. Well done as usual. I'm waiting for Leica Hanoi to find me a used one at a good price the intend to use for personal and editorial assignments. The autofocus thing is a bit of a bummer as I feel the same having loaned this camera several times but fingers crossed the next generation will get it right.

[BrandonTalbot]

I put a Voightlander 50 APO on my SL2S and it hasn't come off. That combo is pretty damn special. I don't think the camera is as good at video as people tout it to be but everything else is wonderful.

[Itsyaboy]

I own a q2, m6, and SL2. The SL2 is my favorite. It’s an amazing machine.

[lightloving]

My first foray into Leica was the R system in 1998, with the R8. And kept with the R system, eventually adding the M into the stable as well. The R system, especially the lenses are where my heart is.
The release of the SL2-S really awakens and gives these R lenses a rebirth.
Ergonomically so much better balanced than using M lenses, especially ROM chipped lenses. The flexibility of using zooms, fixed and specialty lenses (macro, shift, etc) in the vast R stable is just fantastic.
The 24mp sensor, IBIS and low light capabilities is so well matched to character of these lenses.
And going from an analog R6.2 or R8/9 to a SL2-S is as seamless as going from an M4 to an M10.
So for me, the ‘flaws’ stated don’t apply. But I can understand other users mileage may vary.

Thanks for the video.

[jaychow]

I shoot plenty of events with this camera, but I only use manual focus lenses.
The autofocus isn't reliable enough and is something they need to have be at least on par with the other offerings when they bring out the SL3, there's no excuse for a camera of this expense to suffer in that department, it should be class-leading if anything.

That being said, I love it. Using manual focus lenses on this camera with the EVF is a DREAM and makes it extremely hard to go back to a rangefinder.

The low-light performance is beautiful and the whole feel and look of the camera is perfect. I love the video capabilities and the files are SO easy to work with in post. Especially with Lightroom's AI Denoise, and even without it, I'll happily shoot dark environments at 6400 without a care in the world for noisy images.

If they can just fix the autofocus issues, add in the face tracking in manual focus that the Nikon ZF has, and maybe bring in the same multi-resolution pixel binning sensor as the M11, I'm absolutely sold on the SL3.

[benoitpiret]

I think a big difference on the EVF and part of why its so good is the entire glass path they use from eye to display. No compromise there and its top tier quality.... Has to make a big difference

[DirectRegister]

I have experience with both Leica and Fuji systems (having owned many generations of X cameras) and was ultimately cross-shopping the SL system and GFX system. Picking up the GFX 50s II in my local store, it was clear that the last person had done something weird to the autofocus settings, so I struggled for maybe five minutes to just get the camera to behave normally. I eventually gave up. Picking up the SL2 was a dramatic contrast. Everything is intuitive, thoughtful, and where I expected it be. There’s a strong feeling that it was designed by people who take pictures. It’s not all things for all people, or the cutting edge for auto-focus, but for ME and my work it’s the best thing I’ve found.

[FranciscoAlvarezTV]

Fell in love with its aesthetics but definitely not a workhorse wedding camera (I don’t think). Would still purchase if I have money burning a hole in my pocket. Gorgeousness all around.

[nevvanclarke]

Hi Ben, I'm the same I shoot semi professionally in Australia what I means is by that as I don't work full-time. I love Fujifilm cameras because they are difficult to use. They are challenging. They are not great at auto focus sometimes, but it makes you work and you appreciate the shot.

[scrambagorg]

I use this with the VC 50mm F1.2 Nokton and the Fotodiox close focus adapter. Near focus, low light beast set up. Love it

[Gj_frames]

About the viewfinder, what I've heard it's Leicas great optics in the viewfinder that make that viewfinder great!

[MackJulion]

I’ve used the SL2 extensively for weddings this year and this review is spot on. It’s arguably the most beautiful, minimalist camera I’ve ever used. Love how it looks and feels, love the shutter button, the LCD, the super refined feel…yet, the autofocus FORCED me to sell it. Coming from Sony and owning an A1 & A7R5, I was spoiled with the fast and accurate autofocus. The SL2 was horrible with autofocus in low light/somewhat low light. If the only thing they fixed and upgraded in the rumored SL3 was better autofocus, it’ll be worth it. The SL2 is the camera I wanted desperately to work for me but the AF just wasn’t quite there for how I need it for weddings and events. Otherwise, it’s a gorgeous camera, great to use in more controlled settings and it’s a Leica so the experience and images are going to be phenomenal.

[DavidWagelmans]

awesome video and superb b-roll. Going into my 3rd year all Leica (having had Sony a9, a7r4, canon r5) and it's my favorite camera of all time. The af is decent enough for weddings, (back button single point that is)
Love the simplicity, and even the waveform in video is just awesome.
And the evf is the best of all cameras. I just added the gfx 100II and I find the sl2s viewfinder better (in my opinion)

My Wishlist for the sl3:
Keep the body and battery the same.
Redundancy for video on both cards.
60fps no crop
Better af is always a bonus.
Tiltable screen like the q3

[brandonburridge]

The S5II seems like the perfect blend of both the Sony and the Leica. I just picked one up and have been mostly happy with it. I wish the AF was better, but to have Leica colors and decent AF (unlike the SL2s) has been pretty sweet

[TheRoamingtexan]

I don’t really agree with your AF issues but I’m never in that big of a hurry to take pictures. I also use my M lenses more anyways so AF is not a problem at all. Biggest problem I have with this camera is weight, especially with Leica lenses. With heat, and heart failure weight plays a big factor in how long I can be out in field. I really love Leica simplicity with menus and overall use. Thanks

[nocklebeast]

I've used the SL2S for roller derby and haven't had much trouble with focus (I used back button focus for the most part). Before that I was using manual focus m-lenses on it. The vario 24-90 and the 50 summilux focus fine with it.