Is the Leica SL3-P the best camera the brand has made? I tested it at the Nürburgring to find out
This is the Leica to finally rival premium cameras from Sony, Canon and Nikon
It’s no secret that Leica cameras are some of the most popular and beloved in history. For over a century, the brand has been producing exceptional bodies and lenses, beloved by everyone from Jason Momoa to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Now, the brand has unveiled the SL3-P. That’s a ‘Pro’ monikered version of the Leica SL3, which was first unveiled a couple of years ago.
I spent a week in Germany with the brand to test it and it left me with a contentious statement to make – I think this is the best Leica camera ever made.
The ethos behind the camera is simple – remove the ‘but’ which arises when people compare the brand’s previous models. Usually, you’d hear statements along the lines of “I love this camera but…” followed by a list of reasons why it’s impractical, or otherwise unsuitable for that user.
Having spent a good deal of time with the camera, testing it in different environments and shooting scenarios, I can certainly feel that. There doesn’t really seem to be much of a compromise with this body, which is capable of turning its hand to fast-paced sporting action as well as the slower, more intentional shooting which Leica is renowned for.
A big part of that comes down to the burst mode, which is capable of up to 40fps. That came in handy multiple times – whether out in the street trying to nail the perfect shot of an overactive drummer, papping a flower swaying in the wind or attempting to nail focus on a passing car.
In practice, it’s as good as I’ve used on any other camera out there, save, perhaps for the Sony A1 II. That’s pretty stiff competition, though.
What this can also do is nail those classic Leica shots. Scenes come alive with really characterful colours, and portraits look like a moment in time without really having to do much to them.
The so-called “Leica Look” is something we’ve all heard about over the years. It’s a pretty intangible thing for most people, but it’s definitely real. And despite the SLR-style body, autofocus capabilities and massive, traditional lenses, this thing delivers it in spades.
For me, that’s always been the charm of the SL series. Leica’s M series will always be renowned for its history, while models like the Leica Q3 definitely offer something appealing for modern users, with its fixed-lens simplicity.
But the SL3 series – and, indeed, this SL3-P – takes the magic of Leica and adds it to a body which is capable of shooting in modern environments and scenarios.
Let’s also take a moment to talk about that sensor. At 44MP, it’s a pretty decent halfway house between the Leica SL3-S (24MP) and the SL3 (60MP). And while some may look as it as a downgrade on the base model SL3, I don’t think that’s the case.
In my experience, image quality remains as high as you could imagine, and allows significant room for punching in where needed. In real world use, I can’t imagine a single scenario where you’d need more than is available here.
It also has a secondary benefit. Smaller sensor means quicker readouts and, crucially, smaller file sizes. In the current RAMageddon hellscape, that’s nothing to scoff at, with data storage now costing a fortune for many photographers.
Autofocus is also given a boost here. A staggering 819 AF points are in use, with reworked algorithms to offer the best autofocus performance of any Leica, ever. In reality, I found it to be exceptional, locking on to subjects with ease and ensure pin-sharp images.
To really get the most out of this AF, you’ll want to familiarise yourself with the different settings for tracking things like cars, humans and animals. Those are going to be quicker and more effective than you or I, but setting the appropriate option is a must to really make it work.
It’s also not a camera which forgets about video shooters. Users can enjoy full sensor video, complete with options for 4k120 and 8k open gate. That’s a seriously stacked spec sheet, and while it’s unlikely to be the first choice for dedicated cinematographers, it should be quite comfortable as a hybrid camera.
Overall, I can see a lot of users dismissing this camera before it’s even had a chance to impress them. After all, it’s far from cheap, and will be a lot to justify for all but the most professional of shooters.
Controversially, I actually think this might be one of the better value Leica cameras ever. Now, I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out.
If you’re shopping at RRP, you’re going to spend around the £8,000 mark for a Leica M series camera. A Q3 is less, but also limited with a fixed-lens. By that standard, I’ve always felt that the SL range offered something unique in the brand’s catalogue.
Now, the SL3-P takes the promise of the SL and delivers it with gusto. You'll pay £5,150 / €5,990 / US$6,690 excluding VAT (approx. AU$9,845). I can’t see that there’s an argument to opt for another brand on specs or performance now, and the pricing for top models isn’t too far removed from here.
Throw in the iconic Leica image quality and I think this could be a popular pick.
