⦾ 44.3MP sensor (based on the Panasonic S1R II announced in February 2025, see coverage at PhotoRumors)
⦾ Improved autofocus performance, reported to be better than the SL3-S
⦾ Video capabilities may be reduced compared to other SL3 models
⦾ Rumored announcement timeframe: around May to June 2026
⦾ The new Leica SL3-P is expected to sit between the Leica SL3 (60MP) and Leica SL2-S (24MP)
⦾ Approximately 800 autofocus points
⦾ Body design and operating concept expected to be very similar to the latest Panasonic generation
⦾ Expected retail price around €5,900
There is also speculation about Leica introducing a new SL 100mm APO macro lens
photo works wrote:
Why should the -P should be less money?
I can't tell that the AF on the S1RII is much better than SL3.
If the SL3-P would use the PHASE AF in AFs, that would be big!
I don't think the video specks of the SL3 and S1RII are much different, bot do up to 8K, 4k60p, Open gate..
I think it's because Leica is essentially 'rehousing' the camera with their own aesthetics, materials, and branding, similar to what they do with some Sigma made L-mount lenses that are sold under the Leica name.
Right now, the Panasonic S1R II can be purchased new for around $3,000. Just like the Sigma made Leica lenses are priced lower than Leica's fully in house designs, the same logic probably applies here. If Leica prices it too high, many people will simply continue buying the Panasonic instead. But if the Leica version is priced right (in Leica terms), that alone may persuade some buyers to go for the Leica branded model.
The irony is that this 'P' version could end up being cheaper, possibly smaller than the flagship model, and even have better AF performance.
The 100mm I’m all over. Hopefully it’s not too big.
Not sure about the point of the SL3P if it’s just a rehoused S1R2. Before 4.0 I would have agreed the Panasonic is better but not really now. The limitations aren’t the AF. It’s the slow readout and the S1Rii isn’t that much faster that you can always shoot electronically.
Since 4.0 I haven’t used my S1Rii except for testing.
Partnership goes back to 2000: https://leica-camera.com/en-US/press/leica-camera-ag-and-panasonic-signed-strategic-comprehensive-collaboration-agreement?srsltid=AfmBOoq41Xe_0fskvMClurH8QfRm57Y8YYHhRj925a05fyD7heJG2Eua
"The cooperation between Leica Camera AG and Panasonic Corporation has existed since August 2000. Initially, the companies had signed a cooperation agreement for lenses of digital, audio-visual equipment, and in 2001 the decision was made to cooperate in the digital camera sector as well. Since then, the companies have steadily expanded their technological cooperation. In 2018, together with Sigma, the "L-Mount Alliance" was founded, an unprecedented type of cooperation that enables Panasonic, Sigma and, since 2021, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH to use the L-mount standard developed by Leica for their own developments and thus also offer cameras as well as optics with this lens mount."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_Digilux_1
"The Leica Digilux 1 is a digital camera developed in partnership with Panasonic, which was released in 2002. Billed as "the digital reportage camera", the Leica Digilux 1 shares much of its design with the Panasonic-badged equivalent DMC-LC5."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_Digilux_2
"The Digilux 2 is a digital camera model sold by Leica Camera, with the body manufactured in Japan by Matsushita, which sold a variant as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1." Announced Dec 1, 2003.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_Digilux_3
"The Digilux 3 is a digital single-lens reflex camera introduced by Leica on 14 September 2006. The Digilux 3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 are similar specification cameras, using the Four Thirds standard lens mount and featuring a 7.5 Megapixels live view N-MOS sensor, but the Digilux 3 has modified firmware including DNG output. Both the Panasonic and Digilux 3 cameras come standard with the same interchangeable Leica Vario-Elmarit 14–50 mm f/2.8–3.5 optically image-stabilized zoom lens. The Leica D system includes also the Leica Summilux 25 mm f/1.4 lens."
Rest is history...
tzhang4284 wrote:
Isn't the SL3-S basically a re-housed Pansonic S5II? Not sure what the uproar is unless they're going to go even lazier.
I bet the 100mm Macro "APO" is just the rebadged Panasonic Macro...I looked up the Panny specs and it's technically an APO because it has ED/UED elements...since Leica has been known to weasel around the APO designation, they can easily do the same for this rebadge.
serhan_ wrote:
Partnership goes back to 2000: https://leica-camera.com/en-US/press/leica-camera-ag-and-panasonic-signed-strategic-comprehensive-collaboration-agreement?srsltid=AfmBOoq41Xe_0fskvMClurH8QfRm57Y8YYHhRj925a05fyD7heJG2Eua
"The cooperation between Leica Camera AG and Panasonic Corporation has existed since August 2000. Initially, the companies had signed a cooperation agreement for lenses of digital, audio-visual equipment, and in 2001 the decision was made to cooperate in the digital camera sector as well. Since then, the companies have steadily expanded their technological cooperation. In 2018, together with Sigma, the "L-Mount Alliance" was founded, an unprecedented type of cooperation that enables Panasonic, Sigma and, since 2021, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH to use the L-mount standard developed by Leica for their own developments and thus also offer cameras as well as optics with this lens mount."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_Digilux_1
"The Leica Digilux 1 is a digital camera developed in partnership with Panasonic, which was released in 2002. Billed as "the digital reportage camera", the Leica Digilux 1 shares much of its design with the Panasonic-badged equivalent DMC-LC5."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_Digilux_2
"The Digilux 2 is a digital camera model sold by Leica Camera, with the body manufactured in Japan by Matsushita, which sold a variant as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1." Announced Dec 1, 2003.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_Digilux_3
"The Digilux 3 is a digital single-lens reflex camera introduced by Leica on 14 September 2006. The Digilux 3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 are similar specification cameras, using the Four Thirds standard lens mount and featuring a 7.5 Megapixels live view N-MOS sensor, but the Digilux 3 has modified firmware including DNG output. Both the Panasonic and Digilux 3 cameras come standard with the same interchangeable Leica Vario-Elmarit 14–50 mm f/2.8–3.5 optically image-stabilized zoom lens. The Leica D system includes also the Leica Summilux 25 mm f/1.4 lens."
yeah I'm aware - I own a SL3-S - I do think it's a much nicer camera than the S5II and I'm happy with it. What I don't understand is Leica going to at least re-house the S1RII in the Leica chassis (which is quite nice) as the SL3-P or are they going to be even lazier and just rebadge the Panasonic chassis.
tzhang4284 wrote:
yeah I'm aware - I own a SL3-S - I do think it's a much nicer camera than the S5II and I'm happy with it. What I don't understand is Leica going to at least re-house the S1RII in the Leica chassis (which is quite nice) as the SL3-P or are they going to be even lazier and just rebadge the Panasonic chassis.
It doesn't take this long to change a logo on a camera. I think Leica will continue to follow the existing pattern when bringing similar products into the Leica brand.
The will re-house and use materials to make sure the camera has the same weather rating and durability as the rest of the SL line. They will do custom firmware and controls to give the camera the same look, feel, and workflow as all the other Leica branded bodies. Leica is very focused on this.
Considering that in all of Leica's bodies they are buying the same Sony sensors and Fujitsu processors as everone else anyway. The cover glass and filter stack on the L mount sensors is similar accross brands, this port makes a lot of sense if Leica continues past practice. The big question in my mind is how light, agile, and higher performance Leica can make the SL3-P as this will be the primary differentiator for the camera.
I will be dissapointed if Leica handles this one differently.
Look at D-Lux 8, which is updated version from D-Lux 7/L-X100 II in the same Chinese Panasonic factory. I am sure Leica will match SL3-P to their SL line body...
Even older Panasonic GM5 with PanaLeica 15mm combo from 2014 looks like mini Q3...
tzhang4284 wrote:
yeah I'm aware - I own a SL3-S - I do think it's a much nicer camera than the S5II and I'm happy with it. What I don't understand is Leica going to at least re-house the S1RII in the Leica chassis (which is quite nice) as the SL3-P or are they going to be even lazier and just rebadge the Panasonic chassis.
tzhang4284 wrote:
Isn't the SL3-S basically a re-housed Pansonic S5II? Not sure what the uproar is unless they're going to go even lazier.
No, it's not like the rehousing of lenses. They just share sensors and probably some of the electronics. For example, the SL3-S has no AA filter but the S5II does, making the SL3-S look much sharper at the pixel level (but not a great choice if you're worried about aliasing/moire). The SL3-S also has a much nicer EVF. Etc.
They copied Leica TL aluminum block production for BF production. The Sigma BF is essentially the full-frame spiritual successor to the Leica TL...