The Leica SL2 vs SL3. Why I Choose the SL2 in 2024

[@laurapodrasky9687]

I upgraded to the SL3 the day it came out. I have kept the SL2 as a back up since it is so capable. Having spent so much time with both, I love the SL3 and how much it is improved. After so much day to day use the SL3 files and color science is so much improved and the prints I make are wonderful. I do not do video and have not used this on either camera. I generally now use the M lenses on the SL2 and the SL lenses on the SL3. Finally get to see how great the SL lenses are.

[@bigheadtaco]

Congrats on the update. One day I will have the SL3 as well I guess. Or perhaps SL3S? Who knows…

[@nelsonclub7722]

Intriguing - I bought an ex dem SL2 just a dew weeks ago and it was just a few hundred pounds cheaper than a new SL3 - firstly the SL3 was out of stock almost everywhere; in the UK at least - but also I felt the SL2 was built better - I got the matching grip too - use only M lenses - good ones - and love it - but I wonder from your experiences if I did the right thing - I've been a Pro for 30 odd years now pretty much retired from day to day studio work - sold almost all of my Hass kit and went fully down the Leica rabbit hole with a Q3 as well

[@SnapJimmy]

When I held SL3 in my hand, it felt like Sony, or Canon cameras. Not as rugged, solid and feel significant as SL2. But still my fav is SL Type601 which feels even more solid compare to those two.

[@bigheadtaco]

The original SL is great. I love the built-in GPS

[@patrickhopkinson1851]

Interesting comments. I have an SL2 and borrowed an SL3 with 50mm Summilux-SL for a 2-hour guided photo walk at this year’s Goodwood Revival. The SL3 felt familiar straight away and when being used to actually find and make photographs things like shutter sound and whether or not one dial is tighter than an other are completely irrelevant. What did matter was that the icons reorientated when it was in portrait mode, the flip screen helped a bit for getting low level pictures, the buttons on the right rather than the left make the camera easier to use and the slight reduction in weight helped to offset the increased heft of the Summilux compared to my 35mm APO Summicron-SL. I didn’t use it for action since my Olympus cameras cover this better so I didn’t see if phase detection helped much. The end results though were good, and I should have an article coming out in the Leica Society magazine about the Revival later this year. Contrary to my conclusions though, the guys and girls from Leica generally seemed to think that a change from my Q2 to the new Q3 might make more sense than chopping in the SL2 for an SL3. If only money didn’t matter!

[@GamachePhoto]

My exact setup, SL2 and M10R. I just returned from a 5 week trip to Portugal and used the SL2 90% with 28-70mm f2.8 Sigma lens, great combo when on vacation, ready for everything (mostly). I did bring my old Nikkor 20mm f3.5 and used in a few tight spots. Great video as always!

[@bigheadtaco]

Awesome kit, thanks for sharing! Did you choose the 28-70 Sigma vs 24-70mm due to size and weight advantage?

[@chrismeetschris]

this video was shot on that Sigma 28-70! great lens, super light and compact for what you get!

[@GamachePhoto]

@@bigheadtaco yes I did pick that lens for size and weight. I also have the Sigma 35mm f2 which I really like.

[@bigheadtaco]

@@GamachePhotoI love the 24mm f/2. The Contemporary series is amazing!!

[@MadefromJava]

I purchased an open box SL2 in March, after using with an M mount lens and loved it so much, it motivated me to find a good deal on an M10-R.

[@bigheadtaco]

Awesome, congrats on the M10-R and SL2. It’s nice being able to share lenses for sure!!

[@MadefromJava]

@@bigheadtaco thank you!

[@Hektormydog]

If you don’t need/want the higher mp, the original SL 601 still has advantages; GPS, brilliant button/menu layout, I even like the maybe more simplistic clean ‘Bauhaus’ design, and of course the used price! And I ‘love the shutter sound’ of the SL 601 ;-!)

[@bigheadtaco]

Totally agree, it’s a great camera and highly sought after in some markets.

[@baraaamir7891]

I echo your thoughts, I had the opportunity to buy an sl3 and traveled to Dubai to collect it. But when I tried it in store before buying it, it just felt way less solid feeling and robust compared to the sl2. Also I totally agree that the sl2 shutter sounds feel much more satisfying and mechanical which I care about because it's part of the leica experience. Additionally the top dial on the sl2 feels much tighter and thus exuded a higher quality feeling. The sl3 on the other hand had noticeably better high iso performance, but af speed was kinda similar. Regardless it didn't matter to me since I use m mount glass on it exclusively. Therefore, I ended up buying the silver sl2 and it has been without a shadow of a doubt my favorite camera ever. Sure it's not a fast speed demon, or low light beast, but it offers such a premium almost luxurious experience where everything's feels so tactile, so satisfying, manual focus is a joy with that gorgeous evf, and the build quality and intuitive ui is just next level.

[@bigheadtaco]

congrats on the silver SL2. I've been eyeballing that myself.

[@cremephoto]

Leica S3, SL2 for video and original Leica-T with the 35mm Summicron all day! great video on mastering what you already have

[@benoitpiret9065]

one hand controls on SL3 are a good upgrade too. moving the buttons to the right was a great choice

[@bigheadtaco]

Definitely. The moved the main control features next to the LCD from the left side to the right side because they had to centre the LCD to the EVF, and so there was no space left on that side. A good move, but it also orphaned the on/off button to the top left corner, but of course there is that new top dial as well to not completely abandon any control functions on the left side.

[@benoitpiret9065]

@@bigheadtaco yea I found it makes a difference in handling. I can access menus etc with the right hand. I can keep the left on the lens focus ring.

[@markmarshall7359]

I use the back dial for Aperture and iso on SL2 and my SL2-s , It’s Aperture but if I Push the dial in and then turn for ISO. Don’t need the extra dial. Not upgrading, just picked up an SL2 new with warranty for half price.

[@bigheadtaco]

That’s great. yes the dial and button customization is so smooth on the SL system. Congrats on your new SL2 with warranty :-)

[@jtcurcillo]

Just purchased the SL2. How did you setup the button to switch from full frame to APSC?

[@cyberla]

Great review / comparison! Thanks!

[@365_Mike]

What lens was used for the video? Also was it straight out of camera? Looks very good.

[@chrismeetschris]

Hey Mike! We used the SL2S with the Sigma 28-70 2.8, except for in the booth at the beginning it was the Sigma 24mm F2. This was my first time grading and using L-Log, but I used ‘Earth Luts’ which worked extremely well!

[@365_Mike]

@@chrismeetschris very nice work guys!! Was surprisingly very steady footage assuming it was hand held.

[@GamachePhoto]

Question for you Take. On my SL2 with Sigma glass, the camera has a difficult time AF when in backlighting situation. I often have to switch to Manual focus to acquire accurate focus. Is the SL3 the same? Have you tested that on your loner SL3 ? Thanks.

[@bigheadtaco]

I haven’t tried in backlight situation, but I will the next time I test the SL3.

[@Eddie32791]

One thing I do not understand with Leica bodies is the clicky shutter button press, or just buttons in general. As a film set still photographer I find that using the SL3 shooting quiet scenes sound can actually pick up sounds of my shutter button press... And don't get me started with digital M bodies with their buttons, they sound and feel absolutely terrible. That's my only rant!

[@chrismeetschris]

Hahaha I resonate so much with this lol. Shooting an M10 I can’t stand the shutter (I’m starting to get over it) but when you’re doing street or in a situation where the camera can’t be so loud, it’s very frustrating to have a “small compact camera” that sounds like a canon 1DX 😂 the newer models of m do have nice quiet shutters though - especially the M11P

[@chrismeetschris]

@@AIP404 yes, compared to any Leica after it. The m10-P shutter fixed everything.

[@chrismeetschris]

@@AIP404 the sound between the m10 and the M10-P is quite different. It’s very audibly noticeable even in a busy cafe environment. The P shutter is like a whisper, the m10 OG (which I have) is actually louder than the M240P

[@coreyc490]

Holy Smokes! This EXACT thing happened to me a month ago. TRULY embarrassing.

[@mike_qbik]

With issues of loosing picture when popping battery out and issues with AF - still hunts like crazy - which is still sub par of competition - SL2S will serve well till SL4 comes out. SL3 has many issues upon arrival. Any camera with APO lens attached with SL mount will take stunning pictures.

[@thomaslarsen5057]

What AF settings do you recomend on the SL2 for streetphotograph? :-)

[@adamcarter6649]

As a wedding photographer I winced at your camera bag set up… that amount of weight on 1 shoulder is asking for neck problems! 😂

[@bigheadtaco]

I have many bags for various scenarios. I wouldn’t use this bag for weddings either. Just like I wouldn’t look at your wedding set-up and say I’d never use your wedding set-up for my street photography.

[@adamcarter6649]

​@@bigheadtaco my mistake, I should have said for street photography. Carrying a big bag when doing street photography, I would forget about the weight when I'm concentrating on shooting, and after a day of walking around I would have a terrible neck. I often carry heavy bags for lenses and laptops etc, but can put them down while shooting. Not really an option with street stuff. Allan Schaller had a great video about his minimal carry bag for when he's shooting on the street - it's literally a clutch!

[@bigheadtaco]

@@adamcarter6649 ha ha, ok I understand now, yes. Unfortunately when I shoot these types of videos, I need to carry multiple review gear with me. So I’m not only just the guy being featured in the video, but I have to worry about carrying other gear for the shoot. In this case it was 3 kits (M10-R, SL2, SL3 and lenses). When I’m out shooting alone and I don’t have to worry about videos or reviewing multiple gear, then my bag is usually smaller :-)

[@jmbaug1229]

Nice watch combo 👌🏼 Hope you got your Jaeger-LeCoultre piece 👍🏻 😀 J.

[@bigheadtaco]

I would love to own a JCL one day. But I also love my micro brands and quirky watches too. Momentum Atlas automatic with white dial and orange rubber strap on my right wrist, and the Bulova Oceanographer GMT ‘Stormtrooper’ on a black tropic strap on my left wrist :-)

[@말랑말랑멍몽이]

It’s so unfortunate that they ditched the original SL 601 design and went for Lumix/Sony-ish design.😢

[@MarcS4R]

what type of jacket are you sporting , is that a barbour ?

[@bigheadtaco]

Iron Heart from @theshopvancouver. Barbour makes great jackets too.

[@grootbatavia]

Well, I got the SL2 in 2024 for a very simple reason... My regular shop offered it to me at half price. So economic reality dictated the SL2 made more sense...

[@mr_cramberry]

I'll wait for the sl3s😂

[@chrismeetschris]

Excited for that as well!

[@Photojouralist123]

SL 601 was and still is the best color period. SL2 was a joke believe me I had one. 601 still keep. Just had to be blunt but it’s the truth

[@bigheadtaco]

I appreciate your input. I love the original SL, but I also enjoy the SL2. I wish they didn’t get rid of the GPS on the 601, it’s such a unique feature, and I like the rear button interface as well.

[@Photojouralist123]

@@bigheadtaco SL2 in Mongolia would stop shooting at at -10C in continuous Battery at half full would stop shooting. My Z9 never stops even -25

[@Bollywoodhollywood2023]

@@bigheadtaco I agree with you . Leica SL2 is special

[@scottkukla]

Even though I’ve upgraded still haven’t parted with my 601. Colors and image are magic

[@Wazio]

Did you like the Q2? I love my Q2, and like my SL a lot. But I'm thinking about getting the sl2 because I like the look off the q2 sensor so much

[@MultiWaddle]

Nice bag 🤙🏻

[@bigheadtaco]

Thanks. The Wotancraft Lightning Rider in all Italian crunched leather

[@iKIMshuffle]

Even your comment section is full of money 😂 I only have an SL2-s but she’s dressed to impress with Kondor Blue and Atomos Ninja

[@bennyb865]

Didn't you make a big thing about the SL3 just 3 months ago which contradicts this video

[@Photojouralist123]

Nice video and you know me Take I have every camera haha SL, M10 M11 10 M's lens etc. To bad the SL3 costs more and downgraded . ISO went up, etc. If you want SL2 SL2s the camera shop here has tons of used ones cheap and sorry Take SL2 take a nose dive loose value big time. Only M retains some value, M6 even better. Been doing this to long bro you know me. Haha keep it up.

[@bigheadtaco]

You have everything I could only dream of owning 😅😅😅

[@Photojouralist123]

@@bigheadtaco Take get into Hassy then you will be poisoned 🤢

[@Reddotshutter]

if you dont need 60mp, SL2 is enough. But then again, if you love to use M lenses, SL2 sensor isnt optimised...

[@yeekwonglo-xo5kc]

Hi redotshutter, which SL variant you think the sensor is optimised for M lenses? What kind of optimisations that you mean? Thanks

[@Reddotshutter]

@@yeekwonglo-xo5kc SL3 is the only camera in the SL line up that has a sensor designed to work with M lenses. This is one of the highlights mentioned during the SL3 release and by red dot forum. It has been demonstrated repeatedly in previous SL models that the image looked different with M lenses on when compared to native M cameras. Mr Leica did a run at this also incase you want to see. No specific details is given by leica regarding how they did the optimisation but the image indeed look differently.