Upgrade Guide
Leica SL2→Leica Leica SL3-S
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the SL2. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the Leica SL3-S
-
Burst rate30fps (electronic) vs 20fps
-
Generation6 years newer (2025 vs 2019)
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution25MP (down from 47MP — optimised for low light)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | SL2 | Leica SL3-S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +1.2 | ||
| Street | +1.0 | ||
| Travel | +0.7 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +1.4 | ||
| Filmmaking | +0.6 | ||
| Documentary | +1.0 | ||
| Sports & Action | +2.3 | ||
| Landscape | -0.3 | ||
| Wildlife | +1.7 | ||
| Casual | +0.7 | ||
| Food | +1.0 | ||
| Macro | +0.5 | ||
| Architecture | -0.2 | ||
| Astrophotography | +0.7 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | SL2 | Leica SL3-S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,200 | £4,489 | |
| Released | 2019 | 2025 | ↑ |
| Sensor | Full-frame CMOS 35mm | 24.6MP full-frame BSI CMOS | |
| Resolution | 47MP | 25MP | ↓ |
| Video | 5K 30fps, 4K 60fps, 1080p 180fps | 6K/30p open gate, 4K/60p, 10-bit, L-Log | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, AI-based scene recognition | Hybrid phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | 5-stop IBIS | |
| Burst Rate | 20fps | 30fps (electronic) | ↑ |
| Battery Life | 370 shots (CIPA) | 315 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 835g (body only) | 852g (with battery and card) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot | EVF | |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.10M-dot | Tilting touchscreen | |
| Mount | Leica L-Mount | Leica L (L-mount) | |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II | CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See SL2 and Leica SL3-S next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Leica SL3-S against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the SL2
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Camera family history