The 64MP Leica S3 is so much BETTER than I thought

This is my detailed review of the Leica S3 camera system.

Content:
00:00 Introduction
01:29 The Leica S3 is a true DSLR with a mirror inside
02:33 Shoot the Leica S3 with Focal Plane Shutter or with Leaf Shutter
03:28 The Leica S3 is a perfect companion for all photography jobs
04:05 An important disclaimer
04:53 Working with the Leica S3 is just a pleasure
05:56 Buttons, control wheels and menu on the Leica S3
07:09 The Leaf Shutter advantage - if the S-Lens has it built-in
07:46 The Leica S3 camera body and battery mechanism
09:00 The Leica S3 sensor in perspective (64MP resolution)
11:23 The Leica S3 has only one center cross-sensor for autofocus
12:23 No focus correction when going for focus and recompose
14:10 Optical Viewfinder versus Electronic Viewfinder
15:18 Memory cards, 4K video and focus tracking
16:20 Sample images
17:46 Dynamic range, sharpness, medium format look
22:17 Concluding remarks

Music (if applicable):

[NikCan]

Another brilliant tour de force video that always shows the good and bad points that each camera has is so enjoyable to see

[geddonjt]

Great video, thanks for posting. There is a lack of online content on this camera so this helps a lot.

[beyond]

Great video - I wasn't expecting to see current content on the S3. Am using my S3 after a year's hiatus - and the image quality blows me away every time. The dynamic range, and how the sensor/ glass combination draws is still unbeaten. My new favourite lens is the 45mm - shows-off the MF quality of the system than any other lens in the system. Having owned each of the S models since launch, Hassy and P1 - I have stuck with the S system. It's all about the glass - and the S-lenses are the best in the world. This is not something you can deduce from specs alone. And as for ergonomics - they may seem dated - but so what - its the image quality I am after and I know how to use a 'real' camera. The only caveat is the one you mentioned - having the Hassy True-focus system would solve the biggest issue. I wonder if Hassy have that stitched-up with patents though?

[RolandAyala]

I sold my GFX100S and lenses for a used S3 and used S lenses and have no regrets. I prefer the S shooting experience to the GFX and much prefer the images that S system produces over just about any other system available in market today (certainly over GFX and any of the FF systems). Hassy is also very good (I still prefer S system to it, keeping in mind I've only owned X1D as a comparison basis), but I've given up hope that C1 will ever support Hassy files, and I much prefer C1 over LR & Phocus. On paper (spec to price performance), the S system is laughable (as is for Leica in general IMO), but if one can get past the price (or buy used like I did), the S system produces unique & beautiful images that stand out from systems increasingly designed to appease bench/spec shooters and pixel peepers obsessed with clinical perfection (often, only to then go apply a film simulation after the fact to get a pleasing image). And to be clear, the S3 image sensor is no slouch. Of course, all of this is my opinion, but I have actually owned (or own) & shot GFX, X1D, and P1 and I no longer own a GFX or X1D system and have no interest in them after having used them. As with any system, the best advice is to get off the bench and go spend a lot of time with a bunch of different systems before committing to a specific system long-term. When it comes to the S system, the biggest question/concern for me is if S system has a future or not. There are rumors Leica has an S4 in the works, possibly mirrorless. Only time will only tell.

[RS-Amsterdam]

That is a nice camera although I would never buy one cause the price is outrageous .
Great shot at 20.57 nice DoF transition.
And again I can praise you on the clear and thorough explanation of this camera and lens.
Thanks for sharing and a very good weekend in "Tobleroneland" ;-)

[andywe]

Thanks Math, beautiful video and realy nice photos!
After the end of the R-System, nobody could imagine, that Leica will bring a big DSLR. The S is the dream of everyone, like me who was happy to have Kodachrome and a Leicaflex SL2 for decades. If you can afford it (i cannot), take one, dont hesitate! :-)
Greetings from sunny Frankfurt am Main - Andreas

[thepurposeofthings]

Don't know if anyone else has mentioned it, but if you set the camera to manual focus and the back joystick button to activate autofocus, the issue of focus shifting is gone. Just focus on what you want sharp with the button, then recompose. Same with the other S cameras.

[kfx]

Awesome, thanks for sharing! Hopefully there will be more Leica S <-> SL content from you in the future!?

[Biosynchro]

It's good to see someone talking about the S3. I think your analysis is correct, more or less. Perhaps there is a translation issue, but the S3 is indeed a 'system' camera. If it can accept interchangeable lenses, it's a system camera.

A camera like this definitely needs at lease five focus points. I don't expect speed, but I do expect more than one focus point. And while the camera is not quite as modern as the SL series, it is far more modern than the modular systems by Hasselblad and Phase One. Digital backs are now a very out-dated concept.

I have handled an S2 and it really is a solid camera. The viewfinder is great, and the camera feels very good in the hand. It is probably the toughest camera that you can buy right now. The lenses are also built like tanks.

Would I buy an S3? No. But is it an excellent camera? I think so.

[bmwohl]

Again, mathohotographer, your own vision, your eye made the pictures wonderful. The Leica helped a bit but I know your own work excels also on a 24 mm x 36 mm sensor.

[jean-claudemuller]

I use Hasselblad cameras with 50c sensor, Multiple Nikons and a Leica Q.
I have always to struggle with Leica colors and gradations, never with Nikon and Hasselblad that have close renderings, Hasselblad beeing at the top for the richness of colors and gradations (with Phocus developpment)
For me Hasselblad XCD lenses are on par with Leicas.
My Hasselblad HCD lenses made by Fuji are one step behind.
For a more dreamy look I use Zeiss lenses on the Hasselblad 503 with a 50cII back.

[AlexandreLollini]

An ability to separate focus on a thumb button and remove it from half press is important, so that you can use continuous focus on that button only when you need, and then the shutter button is only the shutter. The two advantages are for moving subject you miss less shots (if centered) and for static you can decide not to focus to get a shot at each press of the shutter instantly. (to not miss that pose or that look)

[johnhjic]

Hello As a Hasselblad user and shooter this has always intrigued me. As the Leica magic with its image quality is something I alway try to get. Interesting video. Thank you.

[Pezinokrm]

Hello Matt firstly I enjoy your camera reviews a great deal that said, I have been shooting the S-007 and my finding for nailing the focus with it is to use a tripod. Even when I used the longer S-APO 180mm lens wide open f/3.5 1/60sec the eyes are tack sharp. When using the lens hand held focus re-composed using shutter speeds under 1/1000sec can be a problem. Long story short use high shutter speeds or a tripod. Cheers! 🥃

[gentleman]

As a phaseone iq3 shooter and a former owner of the S007, your recommendations are spot on. Maybe they can also consider other lenses like tilt shift lenses for architecture which is one of the areas where Phase one shines! You can’t deny the color and the ergonomics of the leica s line though.

[danieldelorme]

Great video, but I have not seen one thing I could not do with my M11. Seems like the dynamic range is pretty much the same and the resolution also with the right lenses. The S line is just ridiculously overpriced in this day and age and this is coming from someone who actually bought the M11. :D

[beachboy]

Excellent video 📹
Excellent camera 📷

[jimb]

I would like to see you compare the gfx100 to the phase 0ne IQ4

[williaminbody]

I hope the Leica S team is awake this week. Hasselblad just showed the market what can be achieved in MF. First lessen is it has to milled from aluminum bar stock. Second the secret to reducing size and weight is removing shutter to the lenses. We all want leaf shutters anyway and they always produce better images. Leica already has CS S lenses, but a newer smaller line has to be developed. Go all in like what X2D has done EVF has to big 5.7 megapixels or more, rear display should approach 3 million megapixels. The Leica interface is great, keep it. Don’t cut corners. One terabyte of internal fast memory was almost future proofing. I shoot Leica, but this type of new MF crushes FF. All the blockers have been removed to jump to MF that surpasses Leica FF, including price.

[Camaro-itht]

Can you make a series of bringing back old medium format cameras like the Mamiya ZD, Pentax 645D or the not so old Pentax 645z?