Leica has announced its entry into the mirrorless camera market with the Leica SL.
Clearly taking aim at the Sony A7R II, the Leica SL is a full frame mirrorless camera with its own unique system of interchangeable lenses – although Leica T lenses can be used without an adaptor.
It features a 24-megapixel full frame image sensor and a 4.4-million dot electronic viewfinder (EVF). The former component doesn’t match the A7R II’s 42.4-megapixel full frame sensor, but that EVF outstrips Sony’s 2.46 million dot equivalent.
This so-called Leica EyeRes EVF boasts “a latency time below the threshold of perception,” according to Leica, as well as “a magnification reminiscent of a medium format camera.”
The Leica SL also features a 2.95-inch touchscreen display on the back with a viewing angle of up to 170 degrees, though it remains fixed in place.
Powering the SL is a Maestro II processor which, together with 2 GB of buffer memory, enables constant 11 frames per second shooting. It also enables 4K video capture at 30fps.
In terms of build, the Leica SL has a solid aluminium body, which is sealed against dust and moisture. Meanwhile an ultrasonic sensor cleaning system keeps the image sensor free of grime.
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Indeed, Leica reckons that the rugged SL is “an ideal tool for use in the rough, everyday conditions faced by professional photographers,” emphasising the market its going for here.
If that was in any doubt, just check out the price. The Leica SL will cost £5,050 when it goes on sale from November 16 – and that’s just for the body. Throwing in a 24-90mm f/2.8-4 lens will add another £3,150 to the price.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
