Leica SL3-S with Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens Kit

Key Features

Leica SL3-S Key Features

• 24MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Sensor
• Fast hybrid PDAF autofocus system
• Up to 30 fps with 12-bit AFC
• Open-gate video recording (6K, 30 fps / 4K, 60 fps)
• HDMI-RAW Video (5.9K, 30 fps / 4K, 60 fps)
• 48MP and 96MP High-Resolution Multi-Shot Mode
• Intuitive Leica interface and customisation
• In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS)
• 5.76M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder and a tiltable 3.2-inch display
• Enhanced connectivity with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (MIMO)
• Supports SD UHS-II memory cards, CFexpress Type B, USB-C with SSD recording, HDMI 2.1 Type A, 3.5mm audio jack, and timecode interface
• Made in Germany to IP54 standards

Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH Key Features

• 28-70mm standard zoom for SL system
• Constant f/2.8 maximum aperture
• Three aspherical elements
• Fast, accurate autofocus system
• Durable anodised metal construction
• 572g weight
• 82mm filter thread

Leica SL3-S with Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens Kit Summary

The Leica SL3-S with Vario-Elmarit-SL 28–70mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens Kit is a lightweight, full-frame hybrid system for discerning creators who want superb image quality, Leica’s renowned durability, and customisable handling. This kit combines the video-focused full-frame Leica SL3-S mirrorless camera with a recently developed 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens, which provides workhorse pairing for anything from photojournalism to corporate clients, commercial filmmaking and hybrid content creation.

The SL3-S features a 24.6MP BSI CMOS sensor, up to 6K open gate internal 10-bit 4:2:2, and ProRes 422 HQ, with external RAW and ProRes RAW support. Its updated Maestro IV processor and new phase-detect autofocus system deliver first class subject tracking, 5-axis IBIS with up to 5 stops of stabilisation and much more.

The camera is partnered with the Vario-Elmarit-SL 28–70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens, which provides a bright, fast zoom that covers a popular wide to short telephoto range, which is ideal for everyday subjects, interviews, landscapes and almost any handheld shooting. The lens weighs just 572g, making the kit surprisingly portable for a full-frame setup with rugged Leica build, while offering consistent optical performance across the zoom range.

Both the camera and lens feature weather-sealed metal housings and are fully compatible with the L-Mount ecosystem, offering a future-proof solution for advanced filmmakers and content creators.

Leica SL3-S with Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens Kit in More Detail

Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens Black Anodised

The Vario-Elmarit-SL 28–70mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens is a fast, high-performance standard zoom designed for maximum flexibility. Spanning from wide angle to short telephoto, it provides a constant f/2.8 aperture, ensuring consistent exposure across the zoom range. Its optical formula includes 16 elements in 12 groups, with three aspherical elements to suppress aberrations and maintain sharpness throughout the frame.

The compact size and 572g weight make this lens the most portable standard zoom in the SL system, pairing naturally with the SL3-S for agile handheld shooting. An advanced autofocus system delivers rapid and precise subject acquisition, while its robust metal housing offers protection against dust and splash water. Designed for both stills and video, this lens is ideal for travel, portraits, landscapes and general production use.

New 24MP sensor with multi-shot mode

The Leica SL3-S features a new 24MP BSI full-frame CMOS sensor that brings even better low-light performance and quicker operation. With an in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) system offering up to 5 stops of stabilisation, the camera helps you achieve sharp results even when shooting handheld in challenging lighting.

The sensor’s expanded ISO range has been expanded between ISO 50 to 200,000, which provides the flexibility to capture cleaner content in various shooting environments – from bright daylight to night time shooting.

The 24MP sensor excels in delivering accurate colour reproduction, capturing subtle nuances of tone, texture, and colour with even greater precision. Its dynamic range allows for impressive shadow recovery during post-processing, and it performs exceptionally well in low-light. Noise is well controlled, maintaining excellent detail even at higher ISOs, such as 3200, 12,500, or beyond. At these levels, the sensor produces a pleasing, film-like grain rather than harsh digital noise, making it a great choice for creators working in any lighting conditions.

Multi-shot mode

For those who require high-res detailed shots, the camera’s Multi-shot Modeallows for 48MP or 96MP stills to reveal finer image details, which can be captured handheld or with a tripod. JPG images are created in-camera by merging eight sensor-shifted RAW files into a single JPEG.

For greater flexibility, the individual RAW files can also be saved for post-processing. While this mode is best suited to static subjects like interiors, still life, cityscapes, and landscapes in calm conditions, it now supports handheld shooting, which is a useful upgrade over the SL2. The multi-shot setting is conveniently accessed via the drive mode menu, ensuring easy integration into the photographer’s workflow.

High-Speed PDAF System

Leica has included an advanced hybrid autofocus system in this generation camera, combining phase-detection autofocus (PDAF), contrast detection, and object detection AF. With far greater coverage at 779 PDAF points, the autofocus is faster, more precise, and versatile for limitless situations, even allowing photographers to burst at up to 30fps in continuous autofocus (AF-C) in 12-bit, or 7fps in mechanical shutter mode.

This system includes multiple AF modes such as spot, multi-field, zone, tracking, and eye and face-detection, ensuring you can capture your subject with ease, regardless of dynamic movement or the prevailing lighting conditions. AF tracking can be customised too, allowing users to save profiles tailored to specific situations like track runners, wildlife, or people.

Maestro IV Processor and Video Capabilities

The latest Maestro IV processor first seen in the SL3 and Leica Q3 43 powers the SL3-S, which supports fast and reliable operation for both photography and videography. It facilitates high-end video capabilities such as 5.8K ProRes 422HQ and 6K RAW video, as well as internal recording at 6K 4:2:0 10-bit and 4K 4:2:2 10-bit.

Additionally, the SL3-S features open-gate recording (full-frame), allowing video creators to capture the entire sensor area for more creative control in post-production for cropping to different formats, enhanced stabilisation, and visual effects. With a no-time-limit recording feature, the SL3-S is perfect for long-form content and longer duration filming. Log footage can be recorded with a LUT applied, providing a preview of how the graded footage will look.

Other benefits of the processor in the Leica SL3-S include:

• Rapid signal processing with efficient conversion of RAW files into high-quality images with speed and accuracy
• Enhanced colour reproduction with vibrant and true-to-life colours straight out of the camera
• 8GB buffer enables smooth and continuous shooting, even in faster-paced situations
• CFexpress Type B support results in greater speed for faster data writing and reduced workflow bottlenecks. This is especially noticeable with all forms of video recording available in-camera, aside from RAW recording.

Content Authenticity

Following its introduction in the Leica M11-P, the SL3-S is the first SL-System camera to integrate encrypted metadata that complies with the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI). Once activated, this adds an additional layer of security, ensuring that every photo is signed with Content Credentials that cannot be altered. This feature is essential in the age of AI-generated content, as it guarantees the authenticity of your digital images, with the option to track changes made throughout the editing process.

Comprehensive Connectivity

The upgraded camera body offers a variety of connectivity options to meet the needs of advanced hybrid content creators. It now supports CFexpress Type B and SD memory card slots, a 10Gbps USB-C port with charging support, and a full-size HDMI output for external recorder/monitors.

With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity via MIMO technology, users can also expect extremely stable and fast wireless data transfer, allowing for quicker uploads to cloud platforms such as Leica FOTOS and integrations with apps like Lightroom and Capture One photography software. The camera supports transfer speeds of up to 40MB/s, which equates to under 1 second per full resolution image transfer.

Leica FOTOS App

The Leica FOTOS app provides users with an efficient way to manage their content. With features now spanning Leica Looks, camera-to-cloud integration and tether preview, the app facilitates easy editing, sharing, and remote control. The app also allows transfer of media and quick firmware updates, ensuring your SL3-S stays up to date with the latest features.

For users who integrate team content the SL3-S supports camera-to-cloud functionality via Adobe frame.io, enabling proxy video uploads and seamless integration with Lightroom for cloud-based workflows. This feature allows creators to share, edit, and shoot with live updates from anywhere.

Design and Usability

The Leica SL3-S is designed with an updated button layout, tiltable display, and ergonomic grip, which ensure that it feels natural in the hand, while being easy to operate. The clear, intuitive menu system and touch interaction further streamline your shooting process, and the new menu adapts based on its orientation, making it equally usable whether held upright or tilted for overhead or low-angle shots. Additionally, the LCD has been upgraded as a flip screen with higher resolution, while Leica has managed to shave nearly 100g off the weight compared to the previous body.

L mount lens range

The L-Mount system originally developed by Leica is a future-proof lens mount that offers excellent compatibility with a wide range of models from Leica, Panasonicand Sigmaamongst others. This collaboration has resulted in a comprehensive selection of high-performance lenses, catering to hybrid creators who work across photography and videography.

The recently released Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm F/2.8 lens and Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm F/2.8 are great examples, with both providing exceptional sharpness, fast autofocus, and unique character, ensuring your images and video have the professional quality expected from Leica glass.

What's in the Box

• Leica SL3-S mirrorless camera body
• Battery (BP-SCL6) 
• USB-C cable
• Carrying strap
• Quick-start guide
• Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens Black Anodised
• Lens hood
• Front and rear lens-cover
• Soft pouch