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Leica SL3 or SL3-S?
  
 
JMPerona
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p.1 #1 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


I'm hesitant in which one to choose for my needs. Maybe someone here could help me with this. These are my needs:

- I need a camera for Street with autofocus and M-lenses, Travel, Family and events like weddings (I'm not a professional photograph)
- I don't need video
- I Shoot also inside the house and in darker places. Sweden is

Is the SL3 autofocus good?
Jan 19, 2026 at 09:40 AM
photo works
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p.1 #2 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


You would pick a camera for its strong features and counterbalance them with its weaknesses!

In my experience, most cameras have challenges in the dark, even Sony!

AFC is excellent. Phase + Contrast
AFs is good in most situations, but based on Contrast

Most cameras go back to contrast if it is too dark
Jan 19, 2026 at 10:23 AM
JMPerona
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p.1 #3 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


So Which one would work for me?

photo works wrote:
You would pick a camera for its strong features and counterbalance them with its weaknesses!

In my experience, most cameras have challenges in the dark, even Sony!

AFC is excellent. Phase + Contrast
AFs is good in most situations, but based on Contrast

Most cameras go back to contrast if it is too dark
Jan 19, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Marcus Stein
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p.1 #4 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


JMPerona wrote:
So Which one would work for me?



get a SL2-S, you pay less than half and get more than 90% of the functions.
Phase detection AF is overrated.
Jan 19, 2026 at 10:37 AM
1bwana1
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p.1 #5 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


I am having good results with both AF and M lenses on the SL3. However, it is not at Sony level. There is an adequate collection of native AF lenses available. The M lenses of course are superb and numerous. The SL is the best M EVF platform available. However, flash options are very limited if that is important to you.
Jan 19, 2026 at 10:39 AM
JMPerona
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p.1 #6 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


Marcus Stein wrote:
get a SL2-S, you pay less than half and get more than 90% of the functions.
Phase detection AF is overrated.

Oh! tell me more! Will it work for me?
Jan 19, 2026 at 12:01 PM
jstrawman
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p.1 #7 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1903860/0?keyword=sl3,vs,sl3-s#16824061
Jan 19, 2026 at 01:50 PM
serhan_
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p.1 #8 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


My experience with multiple cameras af in low light in the bedroom with no light in bedroom, only light is coming from bathroom:

- Sony af works
- OM-1 II af works, eg low light level with 40-150mm f4 lens at 1/10sec shot @ ISO 12500 with IBIS, sharp & quick af
- Fuji works with newer Fuji/Sigma primes, not with the older 50-200mm 3.5-4.8 zoom
- SL3-S struggles to af with Panasonic/Sigma primes/slow zooms (similarly hard to af at night architectural shots before the latest firmware update)...

Here is Jono Slack's (Leica tester) review on SL3-S as ideal event camera:
https://www.macfilos.com/2025/10/08/why-the-leica-sl3-s-is-the-ideal-camera-for-event-photography/


JMPerona wrote:
Oh! tell me more! Will it work for me?
Jan 19, 2026 at 02:59 PM
 


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mr.mbp
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p.1 #9 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


I'm using an SL2-S and have had decent results indoors. Am pleasantly surprised by the AF but don't have enough experience to make a recommendation jumping to the SL3.

I would say the SL2-S it's not as good as the Z8 autofocus, but good enough. The SL2-S makes me want to shoot more than the Z8 ever did. I have never owned Sony but have heard marvelous things about their AF.


Jan 20, 2026 at 06:41 PM
flash
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p.1 #10 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


1bwana1 wrote:
I am having good results with both AF and M lenses on the SL3. However, it is not at Sony level. There is an adequate collection of native AF lenses available. The M lenses of course are superb and numerous. The SL is the best M EVF platform available. However, flash options are very limited if that is important to you.

IMHO there are two *Sony levels*. I am pretty heavily invested in both systems.

First there’s the A1ii, A9iii and A7v. These are pretty much class leading in their categories. Nothing quite matches them in every way although some are close enough not to be worried about it (Canon R5ii) and some are specialty (Canon R1). I think these are the cameras people think about when a general term like *Sony level* is used. Leica has nothing even close.

But the SL3 and A7R5 are much much closer. Certainly the A7R5 has a better AF system. Post firmware 4.0 that gap has narrowed massively. The limitations of the sensor, which they share, mean the difference isn’t huge. Post f.w 4.0 for the SL3 I don’t see any real place where the Sony actually outperforms the Sony by a significant margin. The cameras frame rates are the bottleneck. Sony has some performance gains and the cool evf and rear screen. Leica has build quality and weather sealing. There’s nothing in Sony glass, except a few specialty items (28-70 and 50-150 for example) that L mount can’t do. L mount has the APO Summicrons. Pre 4.0 it was Sony by a big margin. Now it’s a wash and I think I’d actually choose the SL3 again.

The SL3-S is a different storey. It’s the weakest camera in. it’s category. It’s not even strong in L mount. There’s zero chance I’d choose an Sl3-S over a Panasonic S1ii, despite the Panasonics menus. Even with Leica few 4.0 there’s Panasonics partially stacked sensor makes the SL3-S irrelevant, unless you have to have a red dot. Then there’s the A7v…

So, I think these SL3 is very close to *Sony level*. The SL3-S is miles behind.

Gordon
Jan 21, 2026 at 03:28 PM
JMPerona
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p.1 #11 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?



I would like to hear others opinion about this topic. I haven’t hear a bad thing (at least not as bad) about the sl3-s in comparison to the SL3.

flash wrote:
IMHO there are two *Sony levels*. I am pretty heavily invested in both systems.

First there’s the A1ii, A9iii and A7v. These are pretty much class leading in their categories. Nothing quite matches them in every way although some are close enough not to be worried about it (Canon R5ii) and some are specialty (Canon R1). I think these are the cameras people think about when a general term like *Sony level* is used. Leica has nothing even close.

But the SL3 and A7R5 are much much closer. Certainly the A7R5 has a better AF system. Post firmware 4.0 that gap has...Show more →
Jan 24, 2026 at 07:11 AM
Rmcfadden
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p.1 #12 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


JMPerona wrote:
I would like to hear others opinion about this topic. I haven’t hear a bad thing (at least not as bad) about the sl3-s in comparison to the SL3.



I have both and prefer the SL-3s its faster to do pretty much anything unless you really want the high res it’s fine, saying it’s only relevant if you need a red dot is a bit silly
Jan 24, 2026 at 08:29 AM
RustyBug
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p.1 #13 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


JMPerona wrote:
I would like to hear others opinion about this topic. I haven’t hear a bad thing (at least not as bad) about the sl3-s in comparison to the SL3.



I'm shooting the SL2-S ... been pondering the SL3 vs SL3-S for a while.

The big debates of consideration (imo / use case) go like this:

(Pre-Firmware upgrade)

24MP vs. 61MP ... would like the MP's of the SL3 for large prints, but the SL3-S has more responsive AF (before the recent firmware upgrade).
Now, that the SL3 AF is improved, why not the SL3.
Smaller files sizes for event work, but, I can always Triple Res the SL3 downsize Medium or Small if needed.

SL3-S 24MP has Pixel Shift and I can "build" larger files for print work, even larger than the SL3 (again, pre-firmware update).

SL3-S AF performance AF-C in particular is improved over the SL3 (and my SL2-S).

Those are the "biggies" in my debate about SL3-S vs. SL3.


NOTE: I demo'd an SL3-S in store a few weeks BEFORE the firmware upgrade came out. At that time, the AF difference (crappy interior story lighting) was about (imo) 10% - 20% snappier (AF-S is my primary use) than my SL2-S. Not enough to compel me to pop the $$$ for "better" AF, despite the reported gains in AF-C. Enter the Firmware upgrade and the case for the SL3 changes (imo).




NOW ... with the advent of the recent firmware update.

The AF is improved bringing the two closer together in AF performance terms (still not Sony level, but not nearly as far off the pace ... which is fine for me).
SL3 now has Pixel Shift for even bigger print (or more crop)

With that in mind (I may be remiss on something else), I'm left to ask myself what does the SL3-S have that the SL3 doesn't.
Possibly faster e-readout speed for smaller files to process. Possibly better battery life for smaller files to process.

It's been a minute since I've been noodling this through ... so, there may be some other things if I go through the laundry list of tech spec on something, but that's the biggie that comes to mind, this morning.


Then, there IS the Prospect of just keeping my SL2-S. AF performance (and user anticipation) is adequate for my use case, even with my Handball pics. Faster AF will be welcome, of course. But, I also shoot a fair amount via manual focus preset DOF, so it's not a critical need for me, but a welcome gain is a welcome gain.

Handheld Pixel Shift will be a welcome gain for my urban / architectural / abstract work. SL2-S must be on a tripod right now to do any Pixel Shift work. Again, a welcome gain.

Tilt Display ... it is probably the most compelling reason for me to migrate to the SL3-S or SL3 vs. my SL2-S. It really changes the perspective ... or rather the ease at which I can get to that perspective ... for low level / angle work. Aging eyes get talked about in terms of EVF vs. RF vs. OVF, but aging joints are a thing, too. Beside the bending / crouching comfort, awkward angles make viewing (with glasses on) difficulty for using the EVF well.


At one point, (pre-firmware upgrade), I was leaning hard toward the SL3-S. Now that the firmware upgrade is out ... I'm having a difficult time to understand why I'd get the SL3-S instead of the SL3. Maybe I burn through more batteries, so I'll need to tote more with me for the SL3. Maybe the SL3 costs more, but the SL2-S was my "test" camera with the SL platform to see if I wanted to invest in that platform. Suffice to say, the SL platform has met my criteria to be "investment" worthy. So, with that in mind, the $$$ diff isn't a primary concern, if it is going to be a long term ownership.

Which takes me back to scratchin' my head on what possibly is there that could make the purchase of the SL3-S the better move for me (vs. the SL3). I'm taking a "slow roll" on making the move, but as I write this, if today was a "must decide" moment, I don't have anything compelling me to get the SL3-S ... so, SL3 is what it would be (except wondering about delaying until an SL4).


That said, I would gladly welcome the SL3-S (i.e. nothing bad, per se), but when funds and bag space are trying to be efficient in making good decisions, I think the SL3 is the direction I'm leaning hardest (right now).

Just some .02 brain fodder

HTH
Jan 24, 2026 at 08:56 AM
1bwana1
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p.1 #14 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


I agree, the improved AF in Firmware 4.0, the addition of really amazing pixel shift on the SL3, and the ability to select file size while not cropping, and even improving DR, makes the SL3 the better choice at this time.
Jan 24, 2026 at 10:31 AM
serhan_
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p.1 #15 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


It depends on your use... I use e-shutter full time with Sl-3S, faster read out, minimizing shutter shock. IBIS is worse than SL2. I use the hand held multi-shot mode with SL3S for landscape shots if I want higher resolution, but it takes time to do multi shot in comparison to OM-1 II. I use easily ISO 25000 indoors with the slower lenses & higher shutter speeds for movement... You don't need big files unless you are printing big or cropping it. SL-3S is cheaper, less depreciation based on SL2 pricing history... Again you can get a S9 and its afc beats Leica cameras, but worse colors, worse with m lenses and no evf... I like FP/FP-L, love the colors, better than Panasonic with m lenses, but worse af (not important if you are shooting m lenses), no ibis, evf should have been with the camera, at least there is tilt screen mod...Somehow so far Panasonic/Sigma held on rf style L cameras...
Jan 24, 2026 at 01:07 PM
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p.1 #16 · Leica SL3 or SL3-S?


JMPerona wrote:
I would like to hear others opinion about this topic. I haven’t hear a bad thing (at least not as bad) about the sl3-s in comparison to the SL3.



---------------------------------------------

Rmcfadden wrote:
I have both and prefer the SL-3s its faster to do pretty much anything unless you really want the high res it’s fine, saying it’s only relevant if you need a red dot is a bit silly


Buy what you want. I know people who love the SL3-S. Some will pay more for the build quality and red dot. I did with the SL3. The A7R5 is the better camera. I’m not telling anyone what to buy. People should shoot what they enjoy shooting. I’m just looking at performance/logic for this discussion.

The SL3-S is a Panasonic S5ii clone. The Leica SL3-S was sold as the *fast* L mount Leica camera. And yes it’s AF and sensor is faster than the SL3. It was the fastest alternative in the L mount with the S5ii. But it’s not that fast. Especially after firmware 4.0 where the SL3 is now *very* close in AF. It’s still not a spectacular wildlife camera and it still gets some pretty cool distortion with movement and the electronic shutter. It doesn’t actually outperform the SL3 in noise if you equalise the output size. The SL3 now beats it with high res shot. You can shoot the SL3 at lower resolutions if you want smaller file sizes. The body, menus and wether sealing are the same. Pre 4.0 the SL3-S made some sense. I don’t think those reasons exist anymore post 4.0. The SL3 is close enough to the SL3-S in speed that the sensor is now the limiting element for both cameras.

The big problem for the SL3-S is the Panasonic S1ii. Because that really is a fast camera. Lot’s faster and wildly more capable. It’s partially stacked sensor allows close to blackout free shooting and much much faster sensor readout. Better video specs. Better photo specs. Better rear flippy screen. Much better autofocus. Apart from the menus, there’s no logical reason to buy a SL3-S in the current environment. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Almost all my cameras aren’t logical purchases entirely. But you’d REALLY want to have the Leica logo because if it’s just about performance/results the S1ii is the camera to buy. The big complaint about the SL3 was the slow readout sensor. That’s why people wanted a SL3-S. But the SL3-S doesn’t really solve the slow sensor issue. The S1ii does.

The SL3 does have a small bump in detail over the S1Rii (very small). It doesn’t share a sensor with any other L mount camera. With 4.0 it actually is competitive with the A7R5 Sony (I have both). So you can argue that it has a place where it’s the *best* in the L mount. I don’t really think you can make that argument for the SL3-S.

Now to be clear, if you buy a SL3-S, knowing that the S1ii exists and you still want the Leica, all power to you. Cameras are not all about the specifications. When I bought my X1D I knew the Fuji GFX50 was coming. I’d handled one, secretly before release. I knew it was a better performing camera than the Hasselblad and I chose the HB anyway. For the build, menus and I wanted a Hasselblad. I never regretted that and I still love that camera. Buy what you want. But really in 2026 the SL3-S is a harder sell than it was at release. Even then the S5ii existed and there were discussions about what the SL3-S brought to the table. But buy what you want. It only has to make you happy.

All I’m saying is that post few 4.0 and with the existence of the S1ii, you’re making an emotional purchase decision rather than a logical one. And I think that’s great.

Gordon
Jan 24, 2026 at 04:05 PM







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