BOOM! Leica says its latest camera is the most advanced that it’s ever made

Leica has revealed a new model in its SL3 series of full-frame mirrorless cameras. The new Leica SL3-P employs a 44.9MP full-frame sensor, which places it neatly between the current 60MP SL3 and the 24MP SL3-S. It can shoot full-resolution raw images at up to 40 frames per second, 8K open gate video at 25fps, and 4K video at up to 120fps. The firm says that this makes it the most advanced Leica camera to date.

Leica SL3-P at a glance:

• $6690 / £5150 body-only
• 44.9MP full-frame CMOS sensor
• ISO 50-200,000
• Up to 40 frames per second shooting
• 5.76m-dot, 0.76x viewfinder
• 3.2in, 2.3m-dot tilting touchscreen
• 8K 30p, 4K 120p, Full HD 120p video

The SL3-P also gains Leica’s latest autofocus system, which includes more sophisticated subject recognition that now understands people, animals, and cars. Physically it uses exactly the same body design as its SL3 siblings, with the only real distinguishing feature being that it doesn’t have a Leica red dot on the front.

We’ve been able to test the Leica SL3-P in advance of its official launch and produce a detailed review, which you can read here:

Leica SL3-P review: is this the best camera Leica has ever made?

Two new SL lenses on the way, too

Alongside the SL3-P, Leica has revealed two new upcoming L-mount lenses. First up is a brand-new Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH large-aperture standard prime, which will replace the existing lens of the same name. But where the current model is huge and heavy, the new lens is remarkably small, measuring 74mm in diameter and just 75.5mm in length. At 584g, it’s also almost half the weight. It accepts much smaller filters too, at 67mm rather than 82mm.

Leica has achieved this feat using a brand-new optical design with 11 elements in 6 groups, including 2 aspherical elements. Eleven aperture blades are employed for smooth bokeh, providing settings down to f/16. The minimum focus distance is 50cm.

Despite the lens’s compact dimensions, it doesn’t compromise on build quality. It boasts a metal external barrel, along with IP54 dust and splash-protection. There’s also an AquaDura coating on the front glass to help keep it clean.

Leica’s second new lens is the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8. This is a true macro lens for close-up shooting, that provides life-size magnification at its minimum focus distance of 30cm. The aperture employs a 9-blade design and closes down to f/22.

Optically, the 100mm macro employs 17 elements in 12 groups, with Leica promising ‘outstanding imaging performance right to the edges thanks to apochromatic correction’. As with a number of Leica’s recent lenses, inspecting the optical layout reveals that it looks closely related to an existing Sigma design, in this case the superb Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN Macro Art. So that promises great things for the optical quality.

Size-wise, the Leica 100mm f/2.8 Macro measures 137mm in length and 77mm in diameter, while weighing in at 801g. Just like the 50mm f/1.4, it accepts 67mm filters, and the front element is protected by a water and oil-repellent coating.

Both the Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH and the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8 are set be available from the end of 2026, priced at $4950 / £3890 and $2700 / £2110, respectively.

Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH and Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8: full specifications:

Related reading:

• Leica SL3-P review – is this the best camera Leica has ever made?
• Leica Q3 Monochrom review – perfection in black & white?
• Leica D-Lux 8 review – a classic reinvented?

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