DPReview TV: Leica SL2 Hands-on First Impressions

[@CallMeChato]

The background in the video was some of the nicest I've ever seen. Perhaps it was the flat, overcast lighting but it was beautiful.

[@TimShoebridge]

Peter Paul Chato I think I t’s also down to the seriously excellent ( but seriously expensive ) lens

[@CallMeChato]

@@TimShoebridge Would not be surprised. Are you by chance related to a Tom Shoebridge?

[@TimShoebridge]

Peter Paul Chato Hmmm... not that I know of

[@CallMeChato]

Tim Shoebridge Thanks. It was worth a try. 😊

[@goyangi2014]

what are you doing here?? 😂

[@finnillson4808]

Colors in the video where just gorgeous.

[@c141charlie]

This is by far the best looking video you’ve shot. Color, lighting, etc., is incredible.

[@MuhammadKharismawan]

it just look oversaturated by the end of the vid imo

[@Elgsdyr]

The visual quality of this video is really, really pleasing to the eye. I wasn't even consciously looking to evaluate this, but my brain noticed it very clearly nonetheless.

[@Dumbledorethefirst]

Dito

[@Wakodaf]

Yeah, my phone can say :)

[@Smoothblue90]

Yes.

[@cahyopro]

What camera they are using for this video making?

[@paulf3353]

haha, that's the magic of Leica rendering :)

[@ETILHK54]

All issues aside, this is probably the best image quality you've ever had, there's hardly anything funky about it.

[@davidecastagno3607]

The video that comes out this camera and lens is gorgeous

[@lwfeagan]

Honestly a bit curious how Jordan deals with rigging when every week shooting with a different, often unreleased, camera. There are no custom cages available, these cameras have differing audio/video preamp quality, lenses of varying ability to gear/focus, and yet he seems to pull it off incredibly well. Bravo Jordan!

[@andrewschmidt7228]

It’s a bit jaw-dropping how sharp and clear the video here is - particularly during Jordan’s section. I honestly didn’t expect the Leica glass to be so clearly a cut above.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

I'm heading to the BMW factory and telling them it's my birthday!

[@tallaganda83]

Do you work for a top rating car review KZbin channel?

[@gunnarliljas8459]

Why aim so low?

[@justwhenithought]

So how did it go?

[@Micccc]

@@justwhenithought BMW: Happy birthday.

[@justwhenithought]

@@Micccc lol

[@JoeWolfs]

Finally Jordan is smiling in the depressed baby pose. :D must be a great camera

[@trym2121]

Must be the cine lens

[@RaduDumitrache]

Must be the price.

[@thatjordandrake]

@@trym2121 The lens didn't hurt. Easily the nicest spherical lens I've ever used.

[@ThefLukeful]

6:15 you mean... unleica lot of companies?

[@jeanpascalremon9166]

HE DID

[@kerbyzhao]

Your videos always feel unbiased and that's refreshing.

[@glennsak]

Chris and Jordan. The gold standard of camera reviews.

[@Pulsonar]

I’m always impressed with the mind boggling amount of detailed info this Jordan guy spits out, but in a very relaxed way. Editing is king but I’m still curious how many takes it took to make these reviews appear so seamless.

[@ByteReview]

Some of that footage shot outside the Leica building looks stunning, skin tone is on point!

[@MattDe1971]

Some really beautifully rendered video here. Seems like a big jump in image quality from the very good Panasonic Micro Four Thirds picture that I’m used to seeing here. Is it the glass, camera, both? I’d be interested in a follow up on a final review going more in depth on the video picture.

[@RJPhotographics]

That is many tens of thousands of euros worth of cine lens. A different league to AF lenses.

[@FiruzRahimov]

@@RJPhotographics Not only that, but also Leica colors and image rendition.

[@-dubu]

It's almost completely the lens that's higher quality that a lot of professional film studios.

[@zer0L0]

+1 that. Am not a video you but was struck by the color, the bokeh, the transitions.The most beautifully rendered video I've ever seen you guys produce. Like seeing Leica pics in motion.What lenses were you using ?

[@zer0L0]

I guess all done on a cine lens , the C Series Summilux. A pro cine lens. Not exactly a fair comparison with stuff shot with regular photographic lenses! Still, it was nice to see.

[@Broadluxe]

One of the best looking videos you guys have taken, SL seems very solid for video, assume that crazy cine lens helps too. Love this camera.

[@TITAOSTEIN]

Nice to see you guys hier in Germany! Willkommen! :) Great Video! But Im still in Love with my GH5... and GH4... and GX80!! :) Macht’s gut!!!

[@beadierps14]

You have to give it to Leica, their brand is on phones, 1-inch sensor cameras, m43, apsc, FF, medium format. They now have IBIS. Very fruitful cooperation with Panasonic together. Both deserve praise for what they've done this year.

[@Ty4ons]

Leica as a serious video option? Feels like I woke up on another planet

[@BananaCake26]

*Panasonic

[@davidecastagno3607]

Even before canon

[@Maxime-ho9iv]

That's the most photography oriented camera ever that is bad at photography but good at video. Well well.

[@davidecastagno3607]

@@Maxime-ho9iv bad at photography? Doesn't seems hahahah

[@DrShaym]

Or you can get a S1H which is better for video in every way and costs two thousand dollars less.

[@magnuseriksson8081]

This is by far the nicest image quality you have shown on your channel, it might not be perfect but the look is amazing, very nice!!

[@dpfreedman]

Belated Happy Birthday to Chris, anchorman of by far the best and most entertaining reviewing team on the Internet.

[@daleboettcherphoto]

The R3 was a gorgeous camera. I had the Safari green one and loved it, but that’s about it. The shutter failed and Leica wouldn’t fix it, but recommended two people that they trusted. I sent emails and the first guy responded by saying, “Fortunately, I no longer repair Leica R3s, and since I have; food has tasted better, sleep has been better, and air has tasted fresher. Good luck repairing your camera”

[@whirlpoodle2823]

I love that story. Out of curiosity, what was the name of the technician? He sounds like he'd be really cool to work with, if he's still repairing anything else :)

[@daleboettcherphoto]

Whirlpoodle his name is Don with DAG Camera repair. Even though he couldn’t help me, he made my day better for sure haha

[@akivabernstein4723]

Really? Leica has Ibis before canon 🤣

[@SDK2006b]

I thought the same too 😀

[@bodythetan]

Akiva Bernstein yes, but the price will give you IBS

[@weizenobstmusli8232]

:-DD

[@gilbertogranados7941]

Lol funniest and saddest comment ever hahaha

[@Maxime-ho9iv]

Sony. Nikon. Fujifilm. Ricoh. Leica. Canon.

[@dominey]

Love the shot at 6:05. The contrast, color, light, DoF...damn that looks nice. 👍🏻

[@RhawiDantas]

Damn Chris nice pronunciation. And Jordan very nice grading of slog, great skin colours.

[@drewcunningham2]

Beautiful video capability - The first clip of Jordan sitting outside Leica HQ in the rain is superb - so sharp and nice shallow depth of field.......wish I had the cash.

[@stevechang2135]

Very professional commentaries from Chris and Jordan. Great to review these comments again after a year of the SL2 release.

[@magnuseriksson8081]

Saying it again. This is the best look of all your videos online

[@1TheQuickstep]

Damn if I had known you visited Marburg, I would've come. This is my hometown and i am a big fan of you!

[@obsidian00]

Who approved Jordan’s happiness in that photo?!

[@niccollsvideo]

I did but I'll make sure those moments are few and far between. :)

[@BAdventures]

That opening, I laughed in excitement. Great detailed review 👍

[@sammadonline]

Beautiful images and gorgeous video! Loving the colours and rendering

[@jaimeduncan6167]

The colors are truly unique, so for people searching for a second camera to invigorate creativity or to be in “fun mode “ this could be a nice alternative. The tinny limitations are part of the fun. The other option is film. Now in that space we also have the H1D II and has a different aspect ratio so a little bit better in the “change cassette “ department.

[@TL-xw6fh]

Like buying a Rolls Royce, you do not think or even ask about the price.

[@Kitsune_Dev]

t Lim more like a Porches

[@artysanmobile]

t Lim Well, no. Not really. Rolls Royce cars are a superfluous, luxury item. Leica cameras have always been serious tools for professionals who actually need their qualities to make a living.

[@reldies5364]

@@artysanmobile Then tell me which "qualitiy" Leica nowadays has that other manufacturer dont have.

[@ThoughtPunk]

@@artysanmobile the Rolls analogy is accurate. You may think that Leica has a lot more function for it's form but the Rolls gets you from point A to B as well. Just like the Leica takes photos. But the prices they command are not competitive for the features they have. Panasonic, Sony and Fuji all have better technology right now with Fuji even looking better, subjectively to my eyes.

[@mateusalves9436]

@@reldies5364 Theres nothing in the market like an Q2 for exemple, i myself use a X100f for photojournalism when i need to be light, and i honestly love that camera, but if i had the money i would go for the Q.

[@berndadam8703]

Chris, I follow your camera review since years. Twice I followed your recommendation (NX1 and A6400) and was not disappointed. Now I am, you came to my country and didn't told this before. It would have been a great pleasure to meet you and Jordan in Wetzlar or Marburg. Wetzlar is a very nice small town, sorry for the bad German weather. I hope that you tell us (fans) when you are leaving again to Hessen. Allzeit gut Licht Bernd

[@luissalazar2021]

I am in love. With this Leica , the lens is amazing!

[@TimShoebridge]

Really like the video out of this camera, both the detail and the colours. Good job.

[@listerine-pr5lt]

I finally understand why we buy Leica . Its a kind of affirmative action for all the disadvantages Leica has compare to Panasonic and other camera manufacturers.

[@michaelbruchas6663]

That warm LEICA lens color!

[@36686593]

even on KZbin that's damn sharp.

[@sosomelodies659]

Who else is watching with no intention of buying? LOL

[@Igorhakim]

yo... Me ✌🏻😜

[@DennisLimCY]

i am watching with Full Intention to buy, but NO ABILITY to buy. :p

[@jlwilliams]

I thought I might pick up some as Christmas gifts for the children of the butler, housekeeper, cook, and chauffeur, but it turns out none of them are interested in photography...

[@ChrisParayno]

Intent but no 💰

[@victormultanen1981]

adorable camera! great footage and pictures. thank you for sharing

[@iloper]

Incredible hpw you became better reviewers than others. CONGRATS

[@savagefrieze4675]

Great job as always guy. Loved the guid pro quo with Hugh. Fun seeing you in each other’s videos.

[@grandzmuzik]

Video quality is amazing!

[@bluein2red423]

On the EVF - is it possible you had it on 120fps refresh? Resolution is noticeably lower in that mode (I'm surprised more people don't notice or mention it).

[@jankonen4811]

Hey Chris and Jordan. Greetings from rainy Germany. @ Jordan: I really love the skintones you have created in this episode! @ Chris: I had one of the biggest grinn in my live, when i saw you standing next to the building i lived and studied in marburg! Hope enjoyed my hometown... Love your Show!

[@thatjordandrake]

It was beautiful and we had a great time! Thanks for watching!

[@jankonen4811]

@@thatjordandrake If you have to travel to Wetzlar again, i would be happy to show you guys around (some cool places for shooting). I also try to teach videography at my school, so i could help you out if you like to. kzbin.info/door/WPmxYdAJIgZIAwbRGs5-Iw I just dont know how to get in contact... Cheers Jan Konen

[@geoffreybassett6741]

Would love to see a follow up on the SL2 with the latest firmware. When I rented it the AF seemed FAR superior to the AF on my S1.

[@Dominik_1978]

This video looks sooooo good on my 4k TV. Great image quality and bokeh 😮

[@nathanaeldavenport2251]

I'm coming back to this video after you guys have switched to the clip-on mics in your current videos (June 2022), and I have to say... the older setup sounds better - clearer speech and greater isolation. Even if it is obviously more inconvenient.

[@tomariko]

This probably the best image quality you did for a shooting. Jordan give a try to the sigma art 35 mm working great on Z6 you may get same bokeh look and cool look with it

[@Van-yo2xr]

不思議のトマ s1h would be a better way to replicate the look - same sensor

[@tomariko]

@@Van-yo2xr yeah indeed with Sigma ART 35 i think they can do it. Sorry i Forgot about S1H

[@carlomac]

Not really, there were blown highlights all over the place. Perhaps that was shot before they discovered they had to shoot log.

[@darylnearing9600]

Fun and beautiful looking video of a camera I could never afford. And, Happy Birthday Chris! Suggestion: can you guys start to sell a t-shirt with a picture - even just a line drawing! - of Jordan in his fetal position? I'd buy that as a Christmas gift.

[@nore8141]

Great commentary liked the video. And the photography is bang on. Thanks guys.

[@AaronMatthewGoddard]

This video looked damned amazing. I think you were talking about cameras or something. I was just sitting here watching it thinking "holy shit balls, this looks amazing". Video quality-wise it's top-freaking-notch. Cheers!

[@abefroman5437]

beautiful color and contrast in this video

[@davide36923]

That video footage - sublime.

[@Louise_D_Myers]

I was considering one but Im glad I watched this review.

[@weljenks]

Jordon you need to purchase that lens if you can attach it to your Panasonic, this video quality is smoking. It’s the best I’ve seen from you all. It’s at a different level. Wow!

[@peace4myheart]

Leica cameras are expensive as hell, but damn, those pictures and colors are so pretty. I wish I wasn't so poor.

[@RickMentore]

Most comprehensive review Chris & J. Interestingly enough, this review has compelled me to take a second look at the Pana. S1R. Hey, you got to keep that vintage camera, right?

[@joeframo3347]

Chris Nichols thank you for sharing this video beautiful camera

[@Halbmond]

If the CL2 is going to get IBIS as well, that’s gonna be my next camera! BTW nice cameo from Hugh @1:42

[@brijeshchandrakar]

Video quality of this one is better than your other previous videos.

[@axelkeuchel5728]

Hey Guys, thanks for another entertaining as elusive video! I think Chris and Jordan never looked as good as on this video😉😃👍. The video capability of this camera seems awesome!

[@zguy95135]

Maybe it's just the magic of being near the Leica factory, but damn the video looks incredible. The colors are just perfect...

[@williamashrafzadeh3701]

I'm not surprised the video looks so good, considering they're using cineglass. They almost never do as far as I'm aware (correct me if im wrong)

[@astraeusone]

Excellent video and story, thank you DPR. I am sure focusing would improve. I saw several photos with distinct pink overcast, like here on 6:00, except that, colors look fantastic.

[@phsyckomantis]

This is dreamy. Everything looks beautiful 💖💖💖💖💖

[@iandetenma]

woww.. the video quality is amaaziingg... sharp but organicly sharp at the object. and nice background blur.. dude... how...?

[@AcidicDelusion]

That Leica 75 lens looks stunning

[@quite1enough]

with lens price gonna be almost the same as GFX100.. so, you really should love Leicas I guess... on top of having a huge budget

[@mpberger74]

Thank you for your video, I really enjoyed watching it. However, I had the SL2 in my hands on Wednesday (together with my 50mm M-Summilux Asph.) and I can't confirm that the EVF is not showing a clear enough image (4:50 in your Video). The image in the EVF was crystal clear, tack sharp and detailed with a high frame rate - you could tell (with aperture 1.4!) without focuspeaking whether the image was in focus or not while adjusting manually - it was just a joy to use. Maybe you had an early firmware where the EVF's resolution wasn't implemented properly?

[@markoposavec9240]

I'm impressed they really improved the lens contrast! Looks similar to Zeiss. The images on the website are jaw dropping.

[@0mirrorman0]

Jordan and Chris in Wetzlar...if I had known... Thanks for the informative Video!

[@TheMauri0409]

Leica has never interested me but this looks beautiful, currently shoot on on the XT3 & A7R3, going to keep my eyes on this, looks like a absolute beast for video & stills.

[@M.U.R.P.H]

Just saw B and H posted it. I had to come to you guys first. Great Video!

[@user_uif_ghg_wer_das]

Like Leica corporate compounds, the red dot Leica logo really pops on the gray building.

[@ScottJWaldron]

I have to say the video clip at 8:28 looked great.

[@ArlynEmrys]

good critique at 4:50, nice reference to Panasonic S1R, very similar. Ironic that Leica appears to make many of the internal lenses for Panasonic cameras. The video here is very smooth.

[@jd_99]

The jitters in the IBIS are very reminiscent of the S1R, so no guesses for what the SL2's based on... ...which also brings up the biggest problem of Panasonic / Leica for all-aspect shooting: CDAF. That said, I'm pretty confident this will outhandle any Sony and give you confidence in the camera like few others.

[@RogerWilco1]

It was hard to hear what you were saying when the video here is so spectacular! Why did it look so much better than other videos from you? Is it that lens? Are you grading different?

[@carlomac]

Appreciate your honest review!

[@ChrisMizo]

This was a nice surprise ! Thanks for the awesome look at the SL2

[@larsemilegebergsimonsen3830]

Footage here looks so good!

[@MrMilanina]

Is it using line skipping or pixel binning or both? What are the crop rates, 1.?x in FF and 1.5x in S35 mode? Great video btw, I hope you'll be able to cover more video features and your opinion on it in future.

[@AbdonPhirathon]

A Volvo (Possibly a V60) R-Design with a Ferrari badge at 12:38? Anyone else noticed that?

[@fto5935]

Abdon Phir'athon I have seen that before on a red Volvo and it wasn’t the real Ferrari logo (horse) but an Elch 😂

[@AbdonPhirathon]

F To That's just weird... 😂

[@sebastianaguilar6835]

Does anyone here happen to know if Leica has made any comment on why they did not incorporate phase detect in this body? It just seems weird considering how much the camera costs, the year it was released, and the fact that phase detect seems like an obvious choice for a brand who likes to fancy themselves makers of caneras that don’t get in the way of the experience. Having only contrast detect and not phase detect sort of causes problems for wedding photographers, wildlife photogs, sports photogs, and some family photogs (when shooting pics of unruly children). So why? Anyone have any insight as to why they made this choice?

[@mohammedalbaker8963]

Hi Chris, what’s the best camera for toys action figures photography, used for both indoor and outdoor.

[@bird271828]

My father brought a Leica M3 in 1960. We used it for 30-40 years. If you buy a new Leica, do you think you will use it for 30 years? How long will you use it?

[@hrtlsbstrd]

Would love it if Leica tried making substantive conceptual professional-oriented improvements for the photography experience again like they did with the M3. But I guess people are willing to pay the premium for style without getting the substance?

[@falkowehr8975]

@ Jordan. Wow, please do soon a video review. Personally I found the the colors in the video-mode more compelling than on the S1H and I used that. Can you say something about noise reduction in camera? That is the weak point in the S1H I think. I you would get a clean image over HDMI in L-Log, without NR this would be amazing. How did you grade l-Log? Is there already a LUT, or did you just add a curve?

[@falkowehr8975]

@ Jordan Do you have some information on that?

[@MrChristopherwren]

Everyone looks great when being photographed and filmed by Leica.

[@rounakgupta6908]

Hey, I am currently using a smartphone for photography. Now I am planning to upgrade my camera. I am get a great deal on leica C-lux camera at around USD$650. I primarily want to do landscape, macro photography & lite vlogging. Do I go for this deal or not. Please let me know ????

[@1BigBucks1]

Which Leica lens did you like best? The 75 looked great. Also, Europe 😍

[@battlebrotherstrading4356]

Video is stunning. I would take Leica or hasselblad over the others just because the menus and interface is so simple.

[@VladiDusil]

The object separation when Jordan first appeared on screen had me gasping. That is one gorgeous rendering of the scene, hot damn!

[@Alan-Zorro]

Thanks for the honest review.

[@datdudeinred]

Probably the intro of any video on youtube ever... 😂😂❤️❤️

[@RiceAndRun]

The summilux shooting jordan looks great. I think I understand the Leica look, with the softness that’s also clear. It’s very different to the canikon lenses which are very sharp down to a fault, almost.