Leica SL2 Review
The Leica SL2 is a very expensive camera. (This is a Leica after all.) But the SL2 also a great camera. Whether it's worth the nearly $6000 price tag is up to you to decide but the image quality, according to several reviewers, seems like a million bucks. The SL2's 47.3-megapixel full frame sensor captured precise detail thanks to the high-resolution chip. Crisp 4K video at 60/50p is an added bonus and the in-body 5-axis image stabilization kept footage steady and images looking sharp. So, overall, image quality was outstanding. If there's one knock on the SL2's performance is that the camera's autofocus, at times, felt a step slow in low light, according to some reviewers. That's made up, somewhat, but the SL2's overall build quality. The beautiful magnesium alloy body feels elegant in the hand but is also highly functional. Combine this with the camera's large and bright viewfinder, its intuitive menu system and its minimalistic but well-considered layout of buttons and dials, and the SL2 was a joy to use. The SL2 is quite large and heavy though and reviewers were disappointed that a camera this pricey has a fixed, non-tilting LCD screen on back. Otherwise though, this luxury mirrorless camera is one of the best in its class.
"The iconic company's take on the big, powerful, DSLR-style mirrorless camera delivers beautifully sharp, detailed images while offering surprisingly powerful video capabilities. Overall, the SL2 is a premium camera at a premium price." - Wired, read the full review here.
"It’s late to the party, it’s a lot like the Lumix S1R and it’s really expensive. But then when you see the Leica SL2, pick it up, handle it and use it, none of that matters. It incorporates a level of design and thought that is actually rather inspiring." - Digital Camera World, read the full review here.
"It’s fantastic for printing with its special 47MP full-frame sensor. It handles image noise very well. In fact, the overall image quality is great. But it’s also got autofocus that can’t keep up with the rest of the market. Couple all of this together with the ridiculously amazing weather sealing rating and you’ve got a damned great camera. But then give it a nearly $6,000 wrapper, and you’ll sit there scratching your head. But with all this said, it’s a very solid camera. - The Phoblographer, read the full review here.
"The adage that ‘you get what you pay for’ is an old one, but the Leica SL2 had even old cynics like ourselves pleasantly surprised during the week we were able to have a play with it. It doesn’t matter how well built or featured a camera is if the images it produces are found wanting, but here the output actually exceeded our expectations." - Photography Blog, read the full review here.
"Almost by definition, any Leica is a niche product. A $5995 (body only) SL2 is perhaps even more niche. It brings some excellent features, but most of them are available elsewhere at a much more affordable price. Still, if you want the best of the best and can afford the premium that the red dot attracts, it’s worth considering." - Camera Jabber, read the full review here.
"The Leica SL2 gets an astonishing number of important things right, while asking for only a scant few things in return. It's not the best camera for every shooter for every situation, but it is a darn good camera in many categories. The quality of the images is breathtakingly good, and the video features on offer outclass almost everyone in every category." - Imaging Resource, read the full review here.
"What, then to make of the SL2? If we put aside the question of price, it’s clearly a very accomplished camera that in most respects holds its own against other high-resolution full-frame mirrorless models. It records stunning detail and dynamic range, has a fabulous viewfinder, and benefits from effective 5-axis stabilization to make the most of its high-resolution sensor." - Amateur Photographer, read the full review here.
"I don’t hesitate to say that this is truly the Leica to own—for today and for tomorrow. Performance is fulfilling as well as exemplary. Images sparkle. Touch and feel is solid and robust, exactly the way a great camera should be. " - Shutterbug, read the full review here.