Leica SL2-S

The Leica SL2-S arrived in 2020 as a full frame mirrorless camera built on the Leica L mount, so lens choices come from the L-mount range.

With bursts up to 20 frames per second, dual card slots and a weather-sealed body, it suits photographers who want one camera for a mix of subjects and conditions.

Owning it takes some commitment. The body weighs 931 grams, so it is a substantial camera to carry, noticeable in a bag over a long day.

The SL2-S pairs a 24.6 megapixel full frame CMOS sensor with the Maestro III processor. That resolution leaves room to crop and to print large. Our Optics score of 85 is exceptional, and the camera places in the top 4% of our database for optics.

For moving subjects, the maximum burst rate is 20 frames per second. The 1/16000 maximum shutter speed also keeps wide apertures usable in strong light.

Autofocus offers 225 focus points, giving the camera many places to lock on. In-body stabilisation then counters camera shake from your hands, so shutter speeds can run lower before handheld blur appears. It does nothing for a moving subject's own motion.

Sensitivity spans ISO 50 to 100000, covering bright light through to dim interiors. Framing goes through a 5.76-million-dot electronic viewfinder, which keeps the scene detailed at eye level.

The maximum recording resolution is 4K, and the maximum video frame rate is 60fps. That frame rate keeps motion smooth and allows footage to be slowed slightly in playback. Our video score of 83 rates this as a very good package.

Recordings are written as MPEG-4 files, a common video format.

A built-in timelapse mode automates interval shooting, so you can record a slow scene change as it unfolds and play it back as a short moving clip without extra gear.

Like the stills side, in-body stabilisation also helps handheld filming by smoothing small camera shake. It will not cancel deliberate camera moves or subject motion, but static handheld shots come out steadier.

A 3.2-inch touchscreen with 2.1 million dots gives a sharp view for checking focus, and touch makes menu navigation quick. The panel is fixed, so low or overhead angles mean adjusting your position instead of the screen. Our Features score of 74 is a good result with a few gaps.

The body is weather sealed, which eases shooting in dust and damp, though sealing is not the same as waterproofing. There is no built-in flash, but an external flash unit is supported when you need added light.

WiFi and Bluetooth are built in, so the camera can connect wirelessly to other devices. GPS is absent, so location tagging has to happen outside the camera.

Two card slots are fitted, and SD, SDHC and SDXC media all work. With two cards loaded, you carry twice the storage before a change is needed. Our Storage & Battery score of 73 is a good result.

The BP-SCL4 battery is rated at 510 shots per charge. Treat that as a rating rather than a daily promise, since actual endurance depends on how you shoot. A spare battery is sensible for long days.

USB charging lets you top up between shoots from a computer or charger. It does not promise charging while shooting, so the battery in the camera still needs to last the session.