Leica SL2
Announced November 6, 2019
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
Leica SL2 combines a 47-megapixel sensor with exceptional build quality and intuitive controls to deliver sharp, color-rich imagery. While the system is physically large and expensive, it offers a refined, distraction-free shooting experience that excels in both high-resolution photography and professional video production.
Weighted from 13 reviewer scores
Pros
- Robust, premium build quality and ergonomic design
- Exceptional image quality and sharpness
- High-resolution electronic viewfinder
- Advanced video capabilities and intuitive mode switching
- Effective sensor-shift image stabilization
Cons
- High financial cost for body, batteries, and accessories
- Heavy, large, and non-portable physical footprint
- Fixed rear display lacks articulation
- Sluggish autofocus performance in certain scenarios
- Limited lens selection and storage buffer concerns
- Launch price $5,995 (USD)
- Sensor 47.3MP Full-Frame CMOS
- Video 4K 60p
- Stabilization In-body IS, 5.5 stops (CIPA)
- Burst 20 fps electronic 10 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 13 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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As a result, the attraction of the SL2 comes down to intangibles that can’t be found on a spec sheet.
- WIRED 9/10
In the case of the Leica SL2, the answer is a lot. You get a fantastic 47-megapixel full-frame sensor capable of incredibly sharp, wonderfully saturated images, and some of the best support for high-end video you'll find in a mirrorless camera system.
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The Leica SL2, like most of the Leica range, isn't a mass-produced, mass-production camera, the camera is made in Germany, and this is part of the reason why the Leica SL2 has a higher price than much of the competition.
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It doesn’t matter how well built or featured a camera is if the images it produces are found wanting, but here the output actually exceeded our expectations. Which is a rare thing indeed.
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Everything has been stepped up a gear in Leica’s next-gen L Mount mirrorless camera, including competitiveness with its rivals, giving the ‘red dot’ marque more mainstream appeal than ever.
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The Leica SL2, the high megapixel, extreme quality, just optical brilliance, that is where this type of thing shines. And for me today, oh, I wouldn't have any other camera with me shooting in a location like this.
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Personally, I consider the SL2 (and I think this can also be passed on to its successor) an exceptional work tool. It’s easy to use, the menus are intuitive, and it gives a feeling of robustness and high quality.
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For me, the fact that you were able to click one button on the camera and switch from photo to video mode immediately and have video settings separate from your photo setting, create your clip, and then move right back to photo is the reason I bought this camera.
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It is an inspiring camera to use. Some cameras I've used, and they're great tools, they have all the features that you want, but when you put them away you don't think about them.
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It's so minimal, it's reliable, it just stays out of the way, kind of blends into the background, and I'm just much more focused on the subject and on the project itself. I'm just really, really happy with that.
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This is a beautiful camera both in terms of the look of the camera itself and the results that it gives you. The colors, that contrasty look of the image, it all just looks fantastic and on top of that it's a seriously capable video system as well.
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If you zoom into the picture, it's exactly what I expected from the new Leica SL2; it's clear, no noise, very sharp, nice lights and colors, and in total a very good result for a first shooting with the new Leica SL2.
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A green chair sits randomly in an industrial environment The Leica SL2 is a premium camera—with a price tag to match—and it feels like one when you hold it in your hands. And its performance is outstanding—with 47 megapixels, 20 frames-per-second shooting and excellent lenses.
