Leica has officially announced the SL3-P, a new full-frame mirrorless camera that merges standout features from its predecessors, the 2024 SL3 and the speed-oriented SL3-S. Priced at $6,690, the SL3-P is available immediately through Leica stores and authorized dealers.
Key Specifications and Pricing
The SL3-P features a 44-megapixel back-side illuminated (BSI) full-frame sensor, offering 14 stops of dynamic range and continuous shooting at up to 40 frames per second with autofocus and subject tracking. This resolution sits between the 60-megapixel SL3 and the 24-megapixel SL3-S. The camera matches the SL3's 8K video capabilities while introducing a new hybrid autofocus system.
At $6,690, the SL3-P is cheaper than the SL3's original $6,995 launch price (now $7,485 due to US tariffs) but more expensive than the SL3-S, which launched at $5,300 and now costs $5,665. The price covers the camera body only; L-mount lenses are sold separately.
Hybrid Autofocus and Video Capabilities
The SL3-P's hybrid autofocus system combines contrast detection, depth mapping, and 819 phase-detection autofocus points for improved subject tracking. For comparison, the SL3-S had 779 points, while the SL3 had only 315. A Multishot mode composits multiple images to produce 176-megapixel stills.
Video capabilities include open-gate 8.1K (8064 x 5376) recording at up to 24fps using the full 3:2 sensor, with 8K capped at 30fps. Dropping to 5.9K enables up to 60fps, while 4K and 1080P support 120fps slow-motion. The SL3-S was limited to 6K video.
Design and Durability
The SL3-P's full metal housing, made from magnesium and aluminum with a textured leatherette wrap, carries an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance. It lacks the iconic red dot badge, a trait of previous 'P' variants. The rear features a 5.7-million-dot viewfinder and a 3.2-inch LCD display with anti-fingerprint and anti-scratch coating. The screen tilts up and down but does not flip 180 degrees for selfies.
A 1.28-inch reflective monochrome screen on top displays shooting information such as shutter speed and aperture. The color-coded UI uses red for photo settings and yellow for video, carried forward from the SL3 series.
Content Credentials and Availability
Inherited from the SL3-S, the SL3-P supports the Content Authenticity Initiative's Content Credentials, allowing photographers to sign images with tamper-proof metadata to protect intellectual property.
The Leica SL3-P is on sale now for $6,690 at Leica stores and authorized dealers.
