Sensor
Leica SL2 is a full-frame camera with a 47.3 MP CMOS sensor that is incredible in terms of creating detailed images with high quality. The images it produces are very sharp and colorful thanks to its color depth of 14 bits per RGB channel. It’s this sensor that enables you to capture 5k, DCI, UHD 4K, and Full HD in an acceptable way all in 10-bit H.264. Its sensor plus the ISO capability of 50,000 is the tool you can rely on to work in every setting even in the low light.
Cine Mode
Video resolutions and frame rates
Lenses
Leica with L-mount capability has opened the door to a variety of lenses for different purposes. L-mount is a standard designed by Leica, Sigma and Panasonic to enable creatives to investigate through lenses easily especially M-lenses and SL-lenses. By using lenses like Leitz Cine, you will get the exact cinematic look that you want for your videos without having to pay for expensive cameras.
In-body Stabilization
Processor
Object Detection AF
Although many pro videographers go with manual focus to get their shots, Autofocus still matters for some. For photographers mostly when they want to capture moving objects, autofocus and subject-tracking come in handy and for filmmakers when it comes to capturing almost everything around them, especially moving human subjects. That’s why SL2 has an acceptable AF system that is more than enough for many cases. This is how the company describes it;
In addition to an array of modes and features, including face recognition, the SL2’s high-performance AF system also automatically detects whether a subject is stationary or in motion, and subsequently switches between motion and focus priority.
Body
Made of aluminum, magnesium, and leatherette, the SL2 has a beautiful design to satisfy our eyes and a good set of material to make the user feel comfortable while using it. Beauty aside, SL2 by having an IP54 certificate provides resistance against dust and splash water and it is a good option for people who want to do creative jobs in tough situations and need a robust camera. SL2 is 146x107x42, and without the battery, it weighs about 835 g which is not bad. It is somehow as they say, “Crafted with Conscience.”
Interface
As for the ports and interfaces, the SL2 has almost nothing short to help you work easily but you know that in this playground, no camera is perfect. Here’s the list of what you’ll get on a Leica SL2;
- ISO accessory shoe with additional control contacts
- HDMI jack 2.0b Type A
- USB 3.1 Gen1 Type C
- Audio-Out 3.5 mm/ Audio-In 3.5 mm
- Communication interface in the base cover for multifunction hand grip
Leica FOTOS
We always appreciate the applications that connect to our devices and enable us to use them easier with lots of options and in this case, Leica FOTOS does that well. It’s an application that allows you to connect your SL2 via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth® to your mobile or iPad to control your camera, transfer your images and also do tasks like viewing, editing and, sharing your stuff.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, paying about $ 6000 to get a Leica SL2, is related to your taste of camera and the set of features you need and this is what I say about every camera. But the ancient camera manufacturer has done its job so well that everyone wants to try it out. But as always, there are videographers who avoid buying first-timers and tend to trust approved cameras with a background full of other professional cinema cameras. So which side are you? Will you give it a chance or not?