Four years after the release of the original SL, Leica has finally announced a follow-up to their full-frame mirrorless camera with the Leica SL2. With a design update and new features, the company claims that the camera could “reset the tone for the mirrorless market.”
The SL2 has improved ergonomics with a more comfortable grip and refined edges whilst maintaining Leica’s traditional minimalist button layouts on its magnesium body. On its back are the new 5.76MP EyeRes EVF and a 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen that can also be used for live preview. The camera also has a certified IP54 rating that offers a high level of protection against particles and water.
The Leica SL2 features a 47MP full-frame CMOS sensor which is suspended within the body – an image stabilisation technology called ‘sensor-shift’ – in order to compensate for camera shake. The sensor comes with an ISO range of 50-50000 and a colour depth of 14 bits per RGB channel. The camera sports an L-mount which is compatible with a wide variety of Leica SL lenses, as well as L-Mount Alliance lenses from Sigma and Panasonic.
The sensor-shift technology also introduces a new multi-shot mode which allows the SL2 to snap up to eight frames in half-pixel increments that combines into an ultra high-resolution photo of up to 187MP. This mode of shooting will require the use of a tripod in order for it to be effective.
The sensor is paired with an updated Maestro III processor which also powers the multi-shot mode by allowing for 10 fps burst shooting with the physical shutter and 20fps bursts with the electronic shutter. Leica claims that the processor provides virtually zero shutter lag when shooting with the camera.
In terms of video capture, the SL2 can shoot 4K videos at up to 60 fps and FHD at up to 180fps. Videographers will appreciate the camera’s Cine Mode where the controls are converted to video which includes switching ISO to ASA, marking shutter speed with degrees, and indicating aperture as t-stops.
The Leica SL2 full-frame mirrorless camera will be available locally at Leica Store Malaysia and authorised Leica dealers starting 21 November. It will retail for RM28200 for the body only.
(Source: Leica via Engadget // Images: Leica)
