German premium camera and lens maker Leica just entered the ultra competitive mirrorless full frame camera arena with their LEICA SL 24 megapixel beast with incredible 4K video recording capabilities!
The Leica SL (typ 601) sports significant professional features one has come to expect from a premium product such as a Leica camera. The new 24 MP full frame sensor combined with the advanced Maestro II processor enables the whopping 11fps in burst for both Raw and JPEG, and the auto-focus is said to be the world's best for full-frame cameras.
![Leica-SL_Leica Top](https://www.visuals.co.uk/images/blog/uploads/2015/10/Leica-SL_Leica-Top-e1445434671963.jpg)
The Leica SL isn't aimed at just photographers demanding the ultimate image and build quality however. It features some really impressive video features the biggest of which is probably the presence of
4K DCI at 24p recording and L-Log flat gamma for maximum flexibility in post production. In addition, the Leica SL offers a full HDMI output and 10bit 422 in full 4K out to compatible external recorders. This will help out greatly with productions requiring heavy VFX work or grading in post.
ISO maxes out at the very impressive 50,000 and in video mode, in both UHD and 4K, cinematographers and video users can take advantage from a Super35 Crop mode, which offers a 1.5x crop to Full-frame. This enables the use of a huge selection of cinema style PL mount glass (with adapters) and APS-C lenses.
Features
• Full-Frame 24 Megapixel CMOS Sensor
• Fastest frame rate for Stills 11fps at 24 Megapixel
• Full HD 1080p at 120fps Slow Motion
• True 4K 4096 x 2160 at 24p
• UltraHD 3084 x 2160 at 25/30p
• Super35 Crop Mode for 4K recording
• Largest, fastest and highest resolution EVF (4.4-MP at 60fps / x0.8 magnification)
• Fastest AF in full-frame mirorrless cameras
• ISO 50 –50,000 for highest stunning low light performance
• Best-in-class image quality with all supported Leica lenses (SL, S, R, M, T, Cine)
• Dual SD Card Slots (requires UHS-II Complaint SDXC cards for highest performance)
• Full size HDMI out and 4K 10bit 4:2:2 to external recorders
• Dust/spray water-proof body
• Shutter speed from 30min (bulb) to 1/8000s (mechanical) -x-Sync: 1/250s
• Ultrasonic sensor cleaning
• Latest generation of Leica Professional user interface with hybrid touch operation
• Integrated Wi-Fi and GPS
The Leica SL features an L mount, the same at its T system. The advantage of this mount here and the sensor size is that you can use lenses from Leica’s M, S and R series via adapters, as well as various lenses from other camera brands like Nikon, Canon and Sigma for example. Lenses from the T system fit without an adapter, though in an APS-C 1.5x cropped-sensor mode.
![Leica-SL-Web15](https://www.visuals.co.uk/images/blog/uploads/2015/10/Leica-SL-Web15.jpg)
Leica has also developed 3 new professional full-frame autofocus SL lenses - the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH, with close focus distance of 30-45cm, is ready for the SL launch on 16 November, priced £3150.
The APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm f/2.8-4 should come out somewhere in Q2 of 2016, and the Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH prime will follow later in the same year. Prices on these have not been confirmed, but they won't be cheap in either case.
For a first impressions test head over to the
British Journal of Photography to read more about the Leica SL.
The Leica SL camera will star shipping on 16th November and sell for £5050 body only. To place your pre-order give us a call at 0208 977 1222.