A new Leica camera is here, and it’s not messing around. Long just thought of as an option for photographers, the new SL3-P is here for everyone in the professional content game with a host of new features aimed at high-end photography, as well as pro-ready videography and cinematography.
The Leica SL3-P is set to feature a 44MP BSI sensor capable of recording 8K Open Gate, ProRes, and more, which should be quite appealing to video professionals. But will it have enough to stand out with its slightly high price point? Let’s explore.
The Leica SL3-P is Here
Set to be the company’s most refined, capable, and audacious SL-System camera to date, the SL3-P is powered by a newly developed 44MP backside-illuminated (BSI) full-frame sensor. The camera will also feature a fast hybrid autofocus system and some of the most advanced video capabilities ever integrated into an SL camera.
As the first P-Series model built on this SL3 platform, this new camera is really focused on providing the highest level of engineering from image quality to high-speed performance to pro workflow integrations, with the new video-focused features in particular standing out.
And while we can look at the specs below, the camera does have an advanced imaging architecture that will be complemented by new technology features such as Camera-to-Cloud connectivity, Content Credentials, and an understated redesign.
Pro Recording for Hybrid Productions
Looking specifically at the video side of this new Leica SL3-P camera (we’ll leave the photo blogs to cover the photo features), Leica is really pulling out all the stops with its most advanced video platform to date, which offers a wide range of recording formats and features.
The big news here is that the camera supports 8.1K Open Gate recording across the full 3:2 sensor area, allowing filmmakers to capture the maximum amount of image data while retaining the freedom to crop for cinematic widescreen, vertical social media content, or traditional 16:9 delivery in post-production.
The camera will also support Native Apple ProRes recording up to 5.8K, 8K at up to 30 frames per second, 5.9K recording at 60p, and full-sensor 4K capture at 120p for detailed slow-motion footage.
There are also new False Color monitoring features, Leica Pure and Leica Cine LUTs, and a ton of other recording formats and monitoring tools that are going to give many filmmakers pause when they think of what a Leica camera can be for video, specifically.
Price and Availability
While we’ll likely have much more to explore about this exciting new Leica SL3-P camera in the future, for now, the big specs speak for themselves. And, alas, so does the price as the camera is set to retail for nearly $7k here at launch.
Still, if you’re a Leica fan, shooter, or someone looking to try a bold new camera in this space, here are the specs and pre-order options.
- 44.9MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Sensor
- Hybrid AF System with Subject Detection
- 8K, 7.2K, 6K, 4K, C4K & FHD 10-Bit Recording
- Internal 8K Open Gate, ProRes & HDMI-Raw
- 40 fps Shooting + 176MP Multishot Mode
- 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization
- 5.76m-Dot 0.78x-Mag. EyeRes OLED EVF
- 3.2" 2.3m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
- IP54 Weather Sealing, Customizable UI
- CFexpress Type B & SD UHS-II Card Slots
Leica SL3-P Mirrorless Camera
The Leica SL3-P Mirrorless Camera represents the most refined and capable expression of the SL-System to date, bringing together a newly developed 44MP backside-illuminated (BSI) full-frame sensor, Leica's fastest hybrid autofocus system, and the most advanced video capabilities ever integrated into an SL camera.
- Leica Announces a Speedy New SL3-S With Unlimited Open Gate 6K Video ›
- The Leica SL Shoots 4K Internally & Outputs 10-Bit 4:2:2, But It'll Cost You ›
- Leica S3 Refreshes Medium Format with a 64MP 4K Camera. Oh, and it's $19,000 ›
- More of Your Favorite Cameras Get 3:2 Open Gate as Leica Rolls Out Updates for SL3 and SL3-S ›
- Leica Unveils SL3 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera Capable of 8K Video Recording ›
