For a Limited Time Only – Save $1,500 on Leica SL2 Kits

Camera News

by Omri Keren LapidotJanuary 10^th, 2024

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Leica launched a sale on their high-resolution stills-hybrid camera – the SL2. Touted as “Don’t dream it, own it”, you can now get a voucher for a $1,500 (€1,400) discount on six different kits. The camera is available with either a black or silver camera body and three lenses. The voucher will be available until January 31st. 2024 and will require you to sign in with a Leica Club account (free registration).

As usual with the renowned German manufacturer, the discounted kits focus on the classics. One may choose between two classic primes: The Summicron-SL 35 f/2 ASPH, and the Summicron-SL 50 f/2 ASPH, or, choose normal zoom with the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70 f/2.8 ASPH. All come with the Leica SL2, as mentioned above. The kits will be available in various regions worldwide. Full pricing by region and other fine print and specifics may be found here.

The SL2 camera

The SL2 is Leica’s second iteration of a modern digital mirrorless camera. Leica’s first foray into the hybrid realm was the Leica SL, its predecessor. The SL predates the L-mount alliance of Leica, Panasonic, and SIGMA (joined by other manufacturers later on). The SL2 is a true hybrid powerhouse – it seems as if some of the technologies used by its allies have trickled up into the SL2, making it much more competitive, and less of a niche product. The SL2 carries a high-resolution 47-megapixel sensor. This unit has no phase detection sensors on board and relies on contrast detection, which may be similar to the one found in the LUMIX S1R. That being said, the resemblance ends there.

The SL2 features a higher frame rate for stills, 4:2:2 10-bit video is available for up to 4K 30P, and 4K 60P is available at 4:2:0 8-bit. The camera can also export 4:2:2 10-bit to an external recorder at up to 4K 60P. These are available at both UHD and DCI. The camera also has a rather uncommon 5K 4:3 4:2:2 10-bit, 200Mbps H.265 recording option. This is captured from a central crop about the size of a Super 35 / APS-C sensor, but a kind of “open gate”. So it should work with s35 anamorphic lenses etc. These interesting specifications are also encased in a high-end metal chassis with Leica’s exquisite design and user experience. 

The lenses

Three lenses are included in the offered kits: The Summicron-SL 35 f/2 ASPH is a fairly compact normal-wide prime lens. 35mm lenses are the bread and butter of documentary and photojournalism. It can also fill the role of a Super 35 normal lens. Its sister, the Summicron-SL 50 f/2 ASPH, is a classic normal lens. It provides a tighter field of view and is regularly used for portraiture, studio work, landscapes, and many other fields. Both lenses showcase the best of Leica’s optical expertise. As members of the Summicron series, they compromise ultra-fast aperture for pristine image quality. The third lens is Leica’s Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70 f/2.8 ASPH. This one takes the most common focal lengths and combines them into one quality lens (though don’t expect prime-lens quality here).

Who is it for?

Leica cameras are often considered too expensive for most, and not as technologically competitive as other offerings from more mainstream manufacturers. Unlike some other Leica cameras, namely the M series, the SL2 offers a much more professional-oriented package. The recent price drop won’t make it extremely affordable but will drive it into the reach of some professionals and enthusiasts. We should not forget that Leica’s price tag comes with some unique perks. These include the company’s unique color science, microlens designed specifically for legacy M lenses, excellent user interface, and more. The SL2 features a unique combination of stills and video features in a rugged and eloquently designed package. With the recent discount, it might beat some existing hybrids. 

Will you take a new look at the Leica SL2 system now that the prices are down (for a limited time only)? Let us know in the comments.