Leica presents new SL3-S full-frame camera with anti-counterfeiting technology

Leica has unveiled the SL3-S, a new member of the SL system family. The mirrorless full-frame camera is designed to combine the highest image and video quality with working speed and reliability. The new, stabilized 24-megapixel BSI CMOS full-frame sensor with multishot mode up to 96 megapixels and a new PDAF autofocus system catches the eye. According to Leica, this combines phase detection and contrast detection to create 779 phase detection and 315 contrast AF points. Continuous shooting at up to 30 frames per second with full autofocus should therefore be possible.

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The fastest shutter speed is 1/8000 of a second. This makes the Leica SL3-S the fastest system camera in the traditional manufacturer's portfolio to date. The sensitivity range of the new sensor extends from ISO 50 to ISO 200,000 and image processing is handled by the Maestro IV image processor, which was also used in the predecessor model. The housing is made entirely of metal and is sealed against splash water and dust in accordance with IP54.

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The SL3-S also offers a comprehensive range of video formats. The camera records in up to 6K and enables flexible video formats for different applications thanks to 3:2 open gate recording, which utilizes the entire sensor surface. For example, vertical 4K videos for social media can be saved directly in the camera. 5.9K RAW can be output to a connected SSD via HDMI. The camera also saves videos internally in ProRes 4:2:2HQ up to 5.8K at 30fps without any time limit. It also supports common codecs such as H.265 and H.264.

For image control, the SL3-S offers an OLED viewfinder with 5.76 million pixels at up to 120 frames per second and a tiltable 3.2-inch touchscreen.

Many of these specifications are already known from the Leica SL3, on which the SL3-S is based. The SL3 comes with a different sensor, which has 60 megapixels and is optimized less for speed and more for high resolution. As a result, the SL3 "only" allows ISO up to 100,000 and continuous shooting up to 15 frames per second.

Tamper-proof images

The SL3-S is the first camera in the SL series to offer Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) content credential technology for photos. The background to this technology is the question of the authenticity of photos. Image AIs and image manipulation are increasingly causing uncertainty about the credibility of image content and allow motifs to appear genuine but have nothing to do with reality.

With CAI and its specifications called C2PA, images are signed with tamper-proof metadata such as information on the camera model and creation data to ensure their authenticity. These are not included in the classic Exif data. However, the authenticity of the images can be checked using freely available tools. This is intended to prevent fake news, especially in press reporting. As we have already reported, CAI still faces many challenges, such as a lack of user-friendly evaluation options. Nevertheless, it is a logical step in times of AI-generated images.

The SL3-S is not the first Leica camera to feature this technology. The manufacturer already equipped the M11-P rangefinder camera with Content Credentials technology at the end of 2023.

Professional workflow

The operating concept of the SL3-S is intended to ensure a professional workflow, although it is not entirely new and is already familiar from the Leica SL3. According to Leica, the menu design has been simplified compared to its predecessor models, with photo and video functions strictly separated. Leica also claims to have optimized the camera grip, the button layout and the overall camera shape for more ergonomic and intuitive operation. All SL3 accessories are compatible with the SL3-S.

Many connection options round off the equipment. The camera has slots for CFexpress type B and SD cards as well as USB-C and HDMI 2.1, connectivity via WLAN and Bluetooth as well as a GPS function via the Leica Photos app. Videos can also be recorded directly to external SSDs. A special timecode interface allows professional sound synchronization. Direct transfer to the Adobe Cloud will be possible in the course of the year.

To coincide with the 100th anniversary of the first Leica camera, the Leica I from 1925, Leica wants to set new standards in professional photo and video production with the SL3-S. The technical specifications, such as the fast continuous shooting function and the ability to adapt video recordings very flexibly, certainly make promising reading. It will be interesting to see how the camera performs in practice. The recommended retail price is an impressive 5,200 euros – - a self-confident price at the usual Leica level.

(tho)