Leica SL3-P with Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens Kit

Key Features

Leica SL3-P Key Features

• New 44.2MP BSI full-frame sensor with up to 14 stops of dynamic range
• Hybrid autofocus system with 819 AF points and subject recognition
• Continuous shooting up to 40fps with AF-C tracking
• 8K Open Gate, 6K 60p, 4K 120p and HDMI Raw recording
• 176MP Multishot mode using sensor-shift technology
• Content Credentials support with tamper-evident metadata
• Maestro IV processor with L2 technology
• Content Credentials image authentication technology

Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH Key Features

• Zoom range covering wide-angle to short telephoto
• Constant f/2.8 aperture
• Three aspherical elements for controlled optical performance
• Fast autofocus with full SL3-P integration
• 572g body weight for a constant-aperture professional zoom
• Anodised metal construction
• Weather-resistant sealing for outdoor use
• 82mm filter thread

Leica SL3-P with Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens Kit Summary

The Leica SL3-P with Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens Kit combines Leica's most fully specified SL camera with the lightest standard zoom in the SL lens range. The camera has a 44.2MP full-frame sensor with hybrid phase-detection autofocus, 8.1K Open Gate video recording and built-in Content Credentials support, making it a strong option for photographers and filmmakers working across a range of assignments.

At 572g, the Vario-Elmarit-SL maintains a constant f/2.8 aperture across a 28-70mm range suited to landscape, travel, documentary and commercial photography. The combination keeps overall kit weight lower than comparable professional systems without reducing optical capability. Both camera and lens are fully compatible with the broader L-Mount ecosystem, including lenses and bodies from Sigma and Panasonic.

Overview and Key Improvements

The Leica SL3-P introduces a 44.2MP back-side illuminated full-frame sensor, offering a balance of resolution, speed and low-light performance within the SL range. An updated hybrid autofocus system combines phase detection, object detection and contrast detection technologies, increasing autofocus coverage to 819 points while improving subject recognition and tracking.

Continuous shooting reaches up to 40fps with full autofocus, while video capabilities expand to include 8.1K Open Gate recording, 8K video and 4K at 120fps. This also becomes the first SL camera with integrated Content Credentials technology, supporting image authentication alongside modern studio, cloud and collaborative production workflows.

Leica SL3-P with Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens Kit In More Detail

Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens

The Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH is the lightest standard zoom in the range, featuring a 16-element, 12-group optical design with three aspherical elements that help maintain sharpness and control aberrations throughout the zoom range.

The f/2.8 aperture is available across the full 28-70mm focal length, covering wide-angle to short telephoto perspectives without requiring a lens change for many documentary, travel, portrait and commercial assignments. Weighing 572g, it helps keep the overall kit relatively portable for extended handheld shooting, while the anodised metal construction and weather-resistant sealing match the build quality and durability of the SL3-P body.

44.2MP Full-Frame Sensor with Maestro IV Processor

At the heart of the Leica SL3-P is a 44.2MP back-side illuminated full-frame sensor paired with the latest Maestro IV image processor. Together they produce 14-bit DNG files with up to 14 stops of dynamic range, providing extensive flexibility when recovering highlights and shadows during editing.

Dual Base ISO technology supports a sensitivity range from ISO 50 to ISO 200,000, helping maintain image quality across a wide range of lighting conditions from controlled studio environments to available-light photography.

For applications requiring even greater detail, Multishot mode uses sensor-shift technology to combine multiple exposures into images up to 176MP. This mode is particularly useful for commercial photography, reproduction work, architecture and landscape subjects where maximum resolution and colour accuracy are required.

Hybrid Autofocus

The hybrid system combines phase-detection, depth-mapping and contrast-detection across 819 phase-detection and 315 contrast-detection points, providing broad frame coverage and more reliable subject tracking than any previous SL camera.

Subject recognition uses machine learning with dedicated detection modes for Human (Eye/Face/Body), Human (Eye/Face), Animal (Eye/Body), Animal (Body), Car and Car (Parts). Intelligent AF automatically refocuses when something changes in the scene, removing the need to manually reinitiate tracking during fast-moving or unpredictable situations.

Photographers can also choose from AFs, AFc and saved AF settings, with focus area options including Spot, Field, Zone, Multi-Field, Tracking and touch AF via the rear display.

Continuous shooting reaches 40fps with full AF-C using the electronic shutter, while focus peaking and magnification tools provide additional precision for manual focus users working with SL lenses or adapted optics.

5-Axis Image Stabilisation

A 5-axis in-body stabilisation provides up to five stops of compensation across the full L-Mount lens range, including fast primes and adapted optics without optical stabilisation. It supports slower handheld shutter speeds for stills and reduces the need for additional support equipment when shooting video.

8.1K Open Gate Video Recording

The SL3-P records up to 8.1K Open Gate using the sensor’s full native 3:2 aspect ratio, giving filmmakers the flexibility to reframe footage for 16:9, 9:16 and square delivery formats from a single take without cropping the imaging area. Additional recording options include 5.9K at up to 60p and 4K at up to 120p for slow-motion capture, providing the flexibility to produce content for social media, commercial projects and broadcast delivery from the same camera body.

Professional Video Formats and Monitoring Tools

Internal recording supports MOV and MP4 formats using H.264, H.265 and Apple ProRes codecs, with ProRes available up to 5.8K and support for 8-bit or 10-bit colour across Rec.709, Rec.2020, L-Log and HLG workflows. HDMI 2.1 Type-A output enables 10-bit monitoring and RAW recording up to 8K Open Gate for external recorders.

Leica Pure and Leica Cine LUTs assist with on-set monitoring, while custom LUT support and False Colour tools provide additional control over exposure and colour management during production.

Electronic Viewfinder and Displays

The OLED electronic viewfinder resolves 5.76 million dots with 0.76x magnification, selectable 60fps or 120fps refresh rates and a display latency of 0.005 seconds, providing a responsive view when tracking moving subjects. A 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen with 2.33 million dots handles live view, menu navigation and image review, while a 1.28-inch monochrome top display provides quick access to key shooting information without raising the camera to eye level.

Design and Build

Manufactured in Germany from magnesium and aluminium with a synthetic leather covering, the SL3-P carries an IP54 dust and splash resistance rating and operates between -10°C and 40°C. Weighing approximately 768g without battery or card, it measures 141.2 x 108 x 84.6mm. Distinguishing it from standard SL models, the familiar red Leica logo is replaced with black control elements and a more discreet exterior finish that reflects the understated character of the P-series.

Connectivity and Storage

A comprehensive selection of physical and wireless connections are included for photography, filmmaking and studio-based workflows. Interfaces include HDMI 2.1 Type-A, USB-C 3.1 Gen 2, a 3.5mm microphone input, 3.5mm headphone output and a dedicated sync and timecode interface. Wireless connectivity is supported through dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0, enabling direct communication with smartphones and tablets.

Storage is handled through dual card slots supporting CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II media, allowing users to balance recording speed, storage capacity and workflow flexibility according to project requirements. The dual-card design also supports backup recording and file separation strategies commonly used in professional production environments.

Power is supplied by the BP-SCL6 battery, which is rated for up to 383 shots under CIPA testing, or up to 1,431 shots using an adapted shooting cycle methodology.

Studio, Cloud and Mobile Workflows

The camera integrates natively with Leica FOTOS, Adobe Frame.io, Capture One and Lightroom Classic. Studio photographers benefit from direct tethering to Capture One and Lightroom Classic for immediate image review, while Camera-to-Cloud via Frame.io allows files to be shared with post-production teams directly from the camera.

The Leica FOTOS app handles remote control, geotagging, wireless transfer and firmware updates, and Leica Looks can be applied in-camera and refined further within the Leica ecosystem for consistent colour across projects.

Content Credentials and Image Authenticity

This is the first SL camera to support Content Credentials, developed in line with the Content Authenticity Initiative. It attaches tamper-evident metadata to image files at capture, recording origin and edit history without altering the image itself. For editorial, documentary and commercial photographers working in an environment where AI-generated imagery is increasingly difficult to distinguish from authentic work, this provides verifiable provenance throughout the production process.

Customisable User Interface

Photo and video functions are separated into dedicated modes, colour-coded red and yellow respectively, reducing menu complexity when switching between workflows. The Control Centre, buttons and dials can all be configured independently for stills and video, while the interface automatically reorients when switching between landscape and portrait shooting. Firmware updates delivered through the Leica FOTOS app introduce ongoing refinements based on user feedback.

L-Mount Compatibility

The L-Mount open standard gives SL3-P users access to lenses from Leica, Sigma and Panasonic, covering a wide range of focal lengths and price points without sacrificing full electronic communication for autofocus, aperture control, image stabilisation and metadata transfer. This flexibility allows photographers and filmmakers to build a system around their specific requirements rather than being limited to a single lens manufacturer.

To see how the camera performs read our SL3-P Review, which includes Gareth’s hands-on video, more sample images and a specs comparison with the whole range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Leica SL3-P for?

The SL3-P suits professional photographers, filmmakers and hybrid creators who require a single camera for both stills and video production. Its combination of resolution, autofocus performance, video capability and workflow tools positions it between the SL3 and SL3-S within the current SL range.

How does the SL3-P compare to the SL3?

The SL3-P uses a 44.2MP sensor rather than the 60MP sensor found in the SL3, prioritising a balance of resolution, speed and low-light performance. It also adds Content Credentials technology and enhanced video and workflow features aimed at hybrid creators.

How does the SL3-P compare to the SL3-S?

The SL3-S remains the stronger choice for photographers whose priority is speed and low-light performance, while the SL3-P is likely to appeal more to hybrid creators who need a balance of resolution, video capability and workflow features in a single body.

How does the kit perform in low light?

The 44.2MP back-side illuminated sensor combines Dual Base ISO technology with a sensitivity range of ISO 50-200,000, helping maintain image quality across a wide range of lighting conditions. It offers a balance of resolution and low-light performance between the higher-resolution SL3 and speed-focused SL3-S.

Can I use Sigma and Panasonic lenses with the SL3-P?

Yes. The SL3-P uses the L-Mount standard and is compatible with Leica, Sigma and Panasonic L-Mount lenses, providing access to a broad range of focal lengths while maintaining full electronic communication with compatible lenses.

Is the 28-70mm f/2.8 the only lens kit available with the SL3-P?

No. The SL3-P is also available with the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH kit, which extends the wide-angle end to 24mm. A two-lens kit pairing the 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH and 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH is also available, providing coverage from 24mm to 200mm.

How does the 28-70mm focal range suit everyday shooting?

The 28-70mm range covers some of the most commonly used focal lengths for travel, documentary, portrait and commercial work, reducing the need to change lenses during a typical shoot. Compared to the 24-70mm kit, it trades four millimetres at the wide end for a lighter and more compact overall package while maintaining a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range.

Leica SL3-P Specifications

What’s in the Box

• Leica SL3-P Camera Body
• Leica BP-SCL6 Battery
• USB-C Cable
• Carrying Strap
• Quick Start Guide
• Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens Black Anodised
• Lens hood
• Front and rear lens-cover
• Soft pouch

Specifications