Leica SL2 Announced

Leica has announced the long-leaked and long-expected update to the full-frame mirrorless SL, the appropriately named SL2. It brings several expected and significant updates to the original Leica SL, including a sensor upgrade from the old 24.2MP unit to a 47MP sensor, similar but not identical in pixel count to that in the Leica Q and that of their technology partner Panasonic and their Lumix DC-S1R camera. Although often overlooked, it’s no secret that the original SL electronics and many of its internal components are made by Panasonic and it’s not difficult to see that the SL2 shares much of its DNA with the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R. Although the imaging pipeline is 14 bits with ISO sensitivity up to ISO 50,000 using a new Maestro III processor, there are a few tweaks here and there. The actual pixel count is very slightly lower and full-resolution capture is possible at up to 10 fps with the focal plane shutter (as opposed to 9 fps on the S1), and 20 fps electronically.