Leica’s SL3 line has had a split personality: the SL3 pushed resolution at 60 megapixels, while the SL3-S prioritized speed with a 24-megapixel sensor. The new SL3-P splits the difference. It packs a 44-megapixel full-frame BSI sensor, shoots 8K video, and costs $6,690 — cheaper than the tariff-bumped SL3 at $7,485, but more than the SL3-S at $5,665.
Like other Leica “P” variants, the red dot badge is gone from the front. If that matters to you, you already know.
The autofocus system is the real upgrade. The SL3-P uses a hybrid system combining contrast detection and depth mapping with 819 phase-detection AF points — up from 779 on the SL3-S and just 315 on the original SL3. Subject tracking should be noticeably better as a result.
Video specs
The SL3-S was capped at 6K. The SL3-P goes to open-gate 8.1K (8064 x 5376) at up to 24fps, with 8K at 30fps. Drop to 5.9K and you get 60fps. Slow motion hits 120fps at 4K or 1080p. For hybrid shooters who need both stills and video in one body, this fills the gap.
Build and ergonomics
The body is magnesium and aluminum with a textured leatherette wrap, rated IP54 for dust and splash resistance. Not weather-sealed — don’t shoot in the rain. The rear has a 5.7-million-dot viewfinder and a 3.2-inch LCD that tilts up and down but doesn’t flip 180 degrees for selfies. The color-coded menu system carries over, with red for photo settings and yellow for video.
A Multishot mode composites multiple frames into 176-megapixel images for when 44 isn’t enough. Content Credentials support is included for signing images with tamper-proof metadata — a feature inherited from the SL3-S.
Body only, as usual. L-mount lenses sold separately. And at this price point, they’re not cheap either.
