Leica SL-SYSTEM Brochure
LEICA SL-SYSTEM
LEICA. DAS WESENTLICHE.
1914
The folding viewfinder of the Ur-Leica and the EyeRes viewfinder of the Leica SL share a common ancestry, a tradition of innovation that has been upheld for more than 100 years. Over a century of technological progress lies
between them, but there is one constant that has characterized our company since Oskar Barnack’s development
of the Ur-Leica: concentration on the essentials. Strict orientation towards the necessities of photography. This
02 I LEICA. DAS WESENTLICHE.
2015
applies in equal measure to the Ur-Leica and the Leica SL. Both reflect the pinnacle of the technically possible in
their times, and both combine quite a number of innovations. They enable exceptional picture quality to be brought
to life. And, just as the Ur-Leica changed the world’s attitude to photography at the beginning of the last century,
the Leica SL will expand its horizons even further today.
LEICA. DAS WESENTLICHE. I 03
LEICA SL-SYSTEM
One look is enough.
Anyone looking through the EyeRes viewfinder of the
Leica SL can see it: the future of photography. This mirrorless system camera wows with its multitude of innovations in Leica’s outstanding quality that concentrates on
the essentials. Experience exceptional speed, versatility,
and picture quality. Please welcome the beginning of a
new era of professional photography made in Germany.
Please welcome the Leica SL-System.
LEICA SL-SYSTEM
Highlights.
IMAGE QUALITY A full-frame, 24 MP CMOS sensor and the very finest lenses. The perfectly matched components
of the Leica SL-System guarantee exceptional picture quality. No matter which attribute you consider – sharpness, contrast, dynamic range – you can recognize the finely orchestrated interplay
of the Leica SL-System in each of its 24 million pixels.
EYERES VIEWFINDER The Leica SL features an integrated electronic viewfinder. This is the first of its kind to feature
EyeRes technology, developed by us especially for the Leica SL. This means that the resolution
is so high and the latency time so low that, at first glance, it appears to be an optical finder. It
does, however, offer all the advantages of an electronic viewfinder: for instance, you see the
finished picture in the viewfinder even before you press the shutter release.
HANDLING The Leica SL goes wherever you go. Machined from a solid block, its dust and splash-proof alu-
minum body was developed to stand up to the challenges of professional use. That was also
the idea behind its handling concept, which you will intuitively grasp as soon as you take a
Leica SL in your hands.
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SPEED
COMPATIBILITY
The Leica SL enables continuous shooting at up to 11 frames per second – at full 24 MP resolution.
With its Maestro II Series processor and 2 GB RAM, the Leica SL is always ready to capture the
perfect picture as it appears. These decisive moments will never be missed thanks to the fastest
autofocus in its class.
The Leica SL offers you access to an enormous range of lenses. In addition to the system lenses,
Leica TL-
lenses can also be mounted on the Leica SL without an adapter. Leica lenses from the
S-, M-, and R-System and lenses from other manufacturers can also be
ca SL camera with appropriate adapters.
mounted on the Lei-
LEICA SL-SYSTEM
Magnificent and mirrorless.
+ The light coming through the lens falls directly on the sensor, which delivers
an uninterrupted live image to the electronic viewfinder. This live image takes
all camera settings and exposure parameters into account and, if desired, also
displays additional information.
+ In contrast to SLR cameras, the scene remains visible in the viewfinder during
video recording.
Picture quality, speed, and – particularly important for
professional use – a robust construction: with record
values in all areas, the Leica SL finally puts an end to
the arguments that spoke for holding onto old-fashioned
single lens reflex technology. In fact, it delivers several
instances of conclusive proof that the mirrorless, fullframe camera is the technology of the future.
+ The viewfinder displays the scene in full. The viewfinder image can be magni-
fied if needed to check aspects such as sharpness and rendition of details.
+ The viewfinder image remains bright and clear, no matter what aperture is
set on the lens. The view also stays bright when stopping down and makes
assessing depth of field much better and easier than with an SLR.
+
As the capture format of the sensor can be changed electronically, even lenses
that don’t cover the entire image circle generate a full-size viewfinder image.
+ As there is no mirror and prism assembly, the camera can be slimmer.
Viewed from side, the Leica SL is only 35 mm thick.
+ The sensor is not as deep inside the camera body, which makes it much
easier to clean.
+ As the complex mechanisms of an SLR are no longer required, the Leica SL
is less prone to mechanical failures.
+ The Leica SL has no mirror action and is therefore much quieter. The shutter
is mechanical, and the loud noise and vibration of mirror slap a thing of the
past. A clear advantage in situations where photography should not be intrusive – for instance in churches or concert halls.
+ Thanks to its short flange-to-film distance, many different lenses can be
mounted with appropriate adapters, even lenses for cinematography that
must generally be modified to fit on SLR cameras due to their long flangeto-film distance.
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LEICA SL
The EyeRes viewfinder of the Leica SL gives you complete control.
A VISION WITH
4 . 4 M P
EYERES VIEWFINDER
TOUCH SCREEN
TOP DISPLAY Essential photographic parameters such as the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity can
There are innovations whose revolutionary character captivates you at first glance. One of these
is the EyeRes viewfinder of the Leica SL, the first ever camera for professional photography with
an electronic viewfinder. With a latency time below the threshold of perception and a resolution
of 4.4 million pixels, this electronic viewfinder offers an entirely new visual experience. As its image can be electronically brightened, the EyeRes viewfinder is actually superior to optical viewfinders in low or unfavorable light. It also offers all the options and features that only an electronic
viewfinder can. For instance, the viewfinder, with a size that harks back to medium-format cameras,
shows you how your final picture will look. The effects of all decisive parameters like exposure,
depth of field, and white balance are simulated and can thus be assessed before pressing the
shutter release. Electronic functions like a dual-axis leveling aid, various grids, or Focus Peaking
can be displayed in the electronic viewfinder to help you get the very best from your subjects. The
Leica SL meets your professional video recording requirements with a zebra function for avoiding
overexposure that can be added to the viewfinder image. The EyeRes viewfinder is activated in
the simplest possible way – by looking through it. An integrated sensor switches it on and off to
prevent unnecessary battery drain.
In addition to the EyeRes viewfinder, the Leica SL does of course also feature a screen with a
diagonal of 2.95" that allows a reliable and precise assessment of pictures at viewing angles of
up to 170 degrees. The touch screen enables you to browse through your exposures quickly and
efficiently or set the focus quite simply by tapping the relevant part of the scene in Live View mode.
be displayed whenever you wish in the EyeRes viewfinder or on the back display panel. These
parameters are also permanently displayed on the monochrome top display of the Leica SL that
remains readable even in bright daylight.
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LEICA SL
INTUITIVE
Leica SL, full-size view.
PROFESSIONAL
HANDLING
NIFTY CONCEPT
OF OPERATIONS
PERSONALIZATION
The menu of the Leica SL allows rapid access to all functions, settings, and options.
From the lens to the sensor and the processor – the optical-electronic system of the Leica SL
enables truly exceptional picture quality. To ensure that this is achieved with every exposure, the
Leica SL is distinguished by its professional handling concept. In addition to its sophisticated
ergonomic design and surfaces with outstanding grip, this also includes an accessory handgrip
for shooting in portrait format. The handgrip provides all relevant controls and its second battery
extends the readiness of the camera. What’s more, the latter can be removed and inserted in mere
seconds to ensure minimum breaks in shooting. You don’t need to worry about dust entering the
camera when changing lenses – ultrasonic cleaning now reliably removes dust and dirt particles
from the sensor. With various connection options, like HDMI 1.4 and USB 3.0, the Leica SL guarantees professional workflows for all kinds of shooting.
Our maxim of concentrating on the essentials was also applied when developing the concept of
operations for the Leica SL. As a result, the Leica SL can be used intuitively by any photographer.
Fewer controls and sophisticated, tidy menus let you find the settings you need much faster.
Numerous functions can be controlled directly and customized according to your personal preferences.
How you use your Leica SL can be personalized in as many ways as there are uses for the system.
In the Favorites menu, you can access your most frequently needed settings with a single click.
The four buttons around the back panel display and two more function buttons can be freely programmed. Navigation within menus is controlled by either the click wheel or the joystick. The
aperture and shutter speed are set with two separate dials. In addition to the shutter release and
the dedicated video recording button, you will also find a button for easy switching between photo
and video mode on the top plate of the camera. Thanks to the rear LCD touch screen, browsing
through your pictures and checking critical focus is as easy and intuitive as can be. The handling
concept of the Leica SL helps and assists you in your work in the best possible way – namely just
the way you want to use it.
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