Camera Review, Top 10 ReviewMorten ByskovMarch 20, 2024Leica SL2-S review, Leica SL2-S sample images, Leica SL2-S sample photos, Leica SL2S review, Leica SL2-S in 2024, Buying a Leica SL2-S in 2024, Leica SL2-S image quality7 Comments

Leica SL2-S Review

Landing a Leica

Buying a Leica SL2-S in 2024

Over the years, I have switched camera systems a few times. In the film days, it was Canon, Nikon, and Contax. When digital was introduced, it was Canon for the longest time, especially the 5D series cameras. Then, it was mostly Fujifilm for the following decade. Lately, I have had a Nikon Zf for a few months since its launch last year.

Leica has always been a peripheral brand to me. Their cameras were either rather costly or impractical for my projects. In 2024, however, I decided to purchase a used Leica SL2-S.

Switching systems can be like a breath of fresh air, but it is not always practical. You may have invested in lenses and accessories for one system only to find them incompatible the next day. Let’s see how things have played out after three weeks with the Leica SL2-S.

Morten Byskov, 5050 Travelog, reviewing the Leica SL2-S in 2024 — Well…Here I am at a Leica SL3 launch event in Vancouver showing up with a Leica SL2-S
Photo by: Kyle @secondteamkyle

Moving From a Nikon Zf to a Leica SL2-S

The Nikon Zf is an amazing camera, and the decision to sell it was not taken lightly. Buying a Leica SL2-S is a move to an older camera, released three years ago, compared to the Zf, released only a few months ago. Both cameras have a 24-megapixel sensor, and a gain in image quality may be hard to spot.

Getting a Leica SL2-S was much more about scratching an itch than about dissatisfaction with the Nikon Zf.

Several features are indeed better on the Zf, such as autofocus and battery life, and it has a fully articulating screen. I will mention a few other differences below.

What About Fujifilm?

I still have an X-Pro1 and X-Pro2. The X-Pro2 gets a fair bit of use, and every time I take my X-Pro1 out, I am amazed at the image quality of this 12-year-old camera.

Running too many systems proved difficult, so I sold my GFX 50R in the fall. I have never aimed to be a collector, and the sale of one camera is often the ticket to the next.

I have a pre-order in place for the Fujifilm X100VI. However, my initial excitement about this camera is slowly dissipating due to the wait times and insane hype, and my heart is probably wishing for an X-Pro camera update instead. We will have to wait until next year for the X-Pro4.

The Leica SL2-S and Voigtländer Ultron 75mm f/1.9 MC — Leica SL2-S, Voigtländer Ultron 75mm f/1.9 MC, and Novoflex M to L-Mount adapter

What Is It About Leica?

I will not deny that there is a fair bit of mystique and history surrounding the Leica brand. Most of this is valid, but you could argue the same about other major brands such as Canon, Nikon, and Zeiss. Fujifilm has a deep history. Most brands do.

However, during our first visit to Paris in 2014, I visited the Henri Cartier-Bresson exhibit at Centre Pompidou and was inspired by his vast catalog of images captured during the last century. You can check our blog entry here from Paris. Cartier-Bresson used Leica cameras, so why shouldn’t I?

At a Leica store in Paris, a cheque was on display in the shop window issued by Cartier-Bresson for the purchase of a Leica camera. Now, I am just wondering if my credit card receipt for the purchase of the SL2-S might one day be on display at Camtec Photo in Montreal. If so, please hide the credit card number :)

Morten Byskov, 5050 Travelog, reviewing a Leica SL2-S and Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art — Week one with the Leica SL2-S, testing the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

This is my first Leica, and the following three attributes stick out for me compared to other brands I have used:

Craftmanship / Build Quality
Design Philosophy
User Interface

The design and feel of the SL2 series cameras are second to none. Other cameras come close, but Leica feels a notch above anything I have tried to date. The design is minimalistic.

Except for the “Play”, “FN”, “Menu”, and “Off/On” switches, none of the dials or custom buttons are named and merely blend into the camera body which has an edgy and refined style.

The diopter has clear markings and feels rock solid. The joystick is the best I have tried. The elegant and very functional battery release is also brilliantly designed and executed.

The SL2-S is slightly bigger and heavier than the Nikon Zf I used just a few weeks ago, and I very much appreciate the superb grip on the SL2-S. With its indent, room for three fingers, and plenty of room between the grip and lens, it feels as if made for my hand.

A woman is catching a ray of sunshine and watching the world go by at Waterfront Station in Vancouver. Sample image from a Leica SL2-S and Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 Aspherical. — Waterfront Station, Vancouver. Leica SL2-S, Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 Aspherical

Setting up the Leica SL2-S was almost a breeze. The Leica FOTOS app is said to be one of the best, but I have had trouble connecting and, admittedly, have not been very patient. I have now upgraded to the latest 6.0.0 firmware and will give it another shot.

Update

I have now successfully connected to the Leica FOTOS app, and it does indeed allow for workflow, including RAW files, which is a plus. However, transfer times to my iPhone are somewhat slow. For travel, I will bring an SD card reader, allowing for a much faster transfer.

Without a manual, but with the help of Google once or twice, I have set the camera up to my liking and have experimented with various custom button configurations.

Coming from the Zf, I appreciate having more custom buttons. The menus are clear and concise and generally easier to navigate than most other system I have encountered.

The Eelie House, downtown Vancouver, Canada. Sample image from a Leica SL2-S and Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 Aspherical. — Eelie House, Vancouver. Leica SL2-S, Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 Aspherical

Leica SL versus Leica M

It is easy to get swooned by Leica M cameras with their rich heritage, rugged appearance, and elegant design. If you are reading this article, chances are that you have considered the Leica M10, M10R, or M11, as I did.

If you are looking for a lighter and more compact Leica setup, the smaller M lenses from Leica, Voigtländer, Zeiss, and other brands are appealing.

I could easily see myself with a Leica M camera someday, but as my first Leica camera, the SL2-S made more sense. The SL2-S allows you to use autofocus lenses from either Leica, Panasonic, or Sigma as part of the L-Mount Alliance, which is important to me for working gigs.

The SL2 cameras have an excellent 5.76m-Dot EVF, which makes them a joy to use with manual-focus lenses. I plan to buy autofocus lenses soon, but to this point, I use only manual-focus lenses with a Novoflex M to L-mount adapter.

I did have a nice encounter with a Leica M10 last summer, and you can check my impressions here:

Leica M10 - First Impressions

The Leica SL2-S with a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art lens — Leica SL2-S with the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Leica SL2-S versus SL2

The Leica SL2 was released about a year before the SL2-S and the all-important difference is the 47-megapixel sensor in the SL2 vs. 24-megapixels in the SL2-S. Other notable differences are better high ISO and battery performance on the SL2-S and slightly improved autofocus, buffer, and frame rates.

There are several other factors (and video specs) that may sway you in one or the other direction, but if you are a still photographer, I think most of us will pick either one or the other based on the sensors.

One feature leveling the playing field is the SL2-S's multishot mode, which creates 96-megapixel files in-camera without needing external software. It's very handy indeed.

The multishot mode does have limitations. You would need to place the camera on a tripod or steady surface, which is unsuitable for action photography of any kind.

Cosmetically, the two cameras are also slightly different. Where the logo inscription on the front of the camera and the hot shoe are painted white on the SL2, it is blacked out on the SL2-S.

I am a big fan of the SL2-S's discrete look. I was joking with two of of my photographer friends that this feature makes you a better photographer.

Below is an example of a photo originally captured as a 96-megapixel file using the multishot mode. I like how the camera creates a DNG RAW file that pops up and is ready to edit in your choice of software. In this particular image, the multishot mode made a big difference in the detail viewable at 100%.

The Vancouver Rowing Club, Coal Harbour. Sample image from a Leica SL2-S and Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 Aspherical. — Vancouver Rowing Club. Leica SL2-S, Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 Aspherical
This photo was originally captured in Multishot Mode creating a 96-megapixel file, 12000 x 8000 pixels. Click to view a 2500-pixel wide image.

Autofocus Performance

The ability and quality of the contrast-detect 225-area autofocus system in the SL2 and SL2-S are frequently debated and questioned when entering a camera system in this price category. It is well-known that cameras from Sony, Canon, and Nikon are better for AI implementation, eye detection, and autofocus speed in general.

If autofocus is a priority and you need solid tracking for wildlife, sports, or video, the Leica SL cameras may not be your best bet. In the L-Mount alliance, the Panasonic S5 II now has phase-detect autofocus, and the same goes for the newly released Leica SL3.

I have managed for years with contrast-detect autofocus, so I am not too concerned about the SL2-S and autofocus. But it is important to mention that my genres (travel, street, and landscape photography) do not tax the AF system. If my main gigs were sports or wildlife, I would reconsider this.

So far, I have tried the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art with the SL2-S and found the autofocus speed fast and accurate. You can read my Sigma 35mm Art review here:

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art - Review

The Leica SL2-S and Voigtländer Nokton Vintage Line 28mm f/1.5 Aspherical — Leica SL2-S and Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 Aspherical

Image Quality

It usually takes a few days or weeks to get a new camera dialed in regarding post-processing. I use Lightroom, and all the photos you will see in this review were captured in RAW. As my SL2-S replaced a Nikon Zf, it was natural to compare it to this camera.

I do not have a side-by-side comparison, but for color photos, I prefer the Leica files. I understand this is highly subjective. As for the details in the files, I found a presence in the SL2-S files that I like that was sometimes missing in the Zf files.

It was almost as if the Zf had more megapixels, and screen-size images would appear ever so slightly more mushy. I did not dislike the Zf files but merely wanted to mention what I found different. This may be caused by the low-pass filter in the Zf.

For black-and-white photos, I found the Zf Lightroom camera-specific presets excellent and used them all the time. The Leica black-and-white JPEGs are great, but they do not carry over with a preset in Lightroom if you shoot RAW.

I struggled with this for a few days until I found an SL2-S-specific black and white preset from Matt Osborne, aka Mr. Leica. Initially, I did not favor his style in the preset (high-contrast grungy), but it was an excellent starting point for creating my own presets, which lean more toward low-contrast results with reduced sharpness.

I also lined up a RAW file next to the Leica BW JPEG and tried to match them to the best of my ability. I have now saved a few presets with a variety of contrasts and shadow recovery.

Please click on the sample images to view them in sizes up to 2500 pixels, depending on your monitor size, or pinch-zoom if you use a mobile phone.

The West Georgia and Seymour Street intersection in Vancouver, Canada. Sample image from a Leica SL2-S and Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 Aspherical. — Downtown, Vancover, Leica SL2-S, Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 Aspherical

Lens Selection

At this point, I have three lenses I use with the Leica SL2-S. Two are from Voigtländer that I use with a Novoflex M to L-Mount adapter, the Nokton Vintage Line 28mm f/1.5 and Ultron 75mm f/1.9 MC. I also use my old Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S with a K&F Concept adapter.

I look forward to testing several lenses. Next week, I have a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art on the agenda, followed by a couple of Panasonic lenses, the 100mm f/2.8 Macro and 14-28mm Macro.

I look forward to exploring further the advantages of selecting lenses from the L-Mount Alliance. This, along with Leica’s own SL and adapted lenses, should keep me busy.

Leica SL2-S , Voigtländer Ultron 75mm f/1.9 MC, and Novoflex M to L adapter — Leica SL2-S and Voigtländer Ultron 75mm f/1.9 MC

That’s a Wrap

The Leica SL2-S feels like a good move for me and wasn’t too difficult as I had not invested in a line of Nikkor Z lenses. I only had to swap a couple of adapters and was ready to go with the SL2-S.

Buying an SL2-S used in 2024 makes sense to me from a cost standpoint, and I say this even as I bought it merely a week before the SL3 was announced: a nice camera at more than double the cost. Most of the SL3's specs were known before the release, and I knew it would come in at a price higher than I was prepared to pay.

I am sure the 60-megapixel sensor and overall new specs have plenty of benefits, and I hope I will get a chance to review them soon. 24-megapixel is usually enough for my style of photography, and in a pinch, the multishot mode creating 96-megapixel files has been easy to use.

Nashguitars S63. Sample image from a Leica SL2-S and Voigtländer Ultron 75mm f/1.9 MC. — My friend Goran, Nashguitars S63, Leica SL2-S and Voigtländer Ultron 75mm f/1.9 MC

The release of the SL3 does give a good indicator of what an eventual SL3-S will feel and look like, and we can also follow Leica’s foray into phase-detect autofocus. If the pattern between the SL2 and SL2-S releases is repeated, it will be about a year before we see an SL3-S. I am getting way ahead of myself here.

The SL2-S has been said to be one of the best cameras for adapting M-mount lenses, and from my brief experience, I believe this statement may be true. My two Voigtländer lenses perform slightly better on this platform.

This could also be the result of using a better Novoflex adapter. I have also briefly tried a Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2, and my friend Chris’ Heliar 12mm and Zeiss ZM 21mm f/2.8. All of these lenses work well with the SL2-S.

At the end of the day, I return to the craftsmanship, design, and user interface that makes this camera a joy to pick up, look at, and use in the field. So far, I have been happy with the results.

Thanks to Julian and Kyle for helping with SL2-S and SL2 test drives and questions. It made the decision much more straightforward.

Stay tuned for more Leica content coming up soon.

Update: May 2024

I have now had a chance to try out the Leica SL3. You can read my review here:

Leica SL3 - Review

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

When this review was posted, the Leica SL2-S retailed for $5,195.00, and several bundles are available with various SL lenses.

I paid $3,300.00 for my used copy, which included an extra battery and a year of warranty. Depending on the camera's shape and included accessories, used prices range from $3,000.00 to $3,400.00.

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate links below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Leica SL2-S - B&H Photo
Leica SL3 - B&H Photo

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