Upgrade Guide
Leica Leica SL3-S→Leica SL3
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the Leica SL3-S. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the SL3
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Resolution60MP vs 25MP (+35MP)
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StabilisationImproved — 7.5-stop IBIS
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Battery life410 shots (CIPA) vs 315 shots (CIPA)
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 | Leica SL3-S | SL3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.5 | ||
| Street | +0.3 | ||
| Travel | +0.4 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +0.3 | ||
| Filmmaking | -0.2 | ||
| Documentary | +0.2 | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.2 | ||
| Landscape | +1.1 | ||
| Wildlife | — | ||
| Casual | +0.3 | ||
| Food | +0.7 | ||
| Macro | +0.6 | ||
| Architecture | +1.3 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.2 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Leica SL3-S | SL3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,489 | £6,499 | |
| Released | 2025 | 2024 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 24.6MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS | |
| Resolution | 25MP | 60MP | ↑ |
| Video | 6K/30p open gate, 4K/60p, 10-bit, L-Log | 8K/30p, 4K/60p, Apple ProRes | |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | Phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | |
| Stabilisation | 5-stop IBIS | 7.5-stop IBIS | |
| Burst Rate | 30fps (electronic) | 30fps electronic | |
| Battery Life | 315 shots (CIPA) | 410 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 852g (with battery and card) | 875g (body only) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | EVF | 0.78" OLED EVF, 5.76M dots | |
| Screen | Tilting touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | |
| Mount | Leica L (L-mount) | Leica L-mount | |
| Memory Cards | CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See Leica SL3-S and SL3 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 SL3 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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