Leica's next camera could have 60% lower resolution than the rest of its current lineup
(Image credit: James Artaius)
Every full frame camera that Leica has released this year has had a 60MP image sensor – but it looks like that streak is about to snap, with its next camera having 60% lower resolution.
So far in 2024 the company has added the Leica SL3, the Leica M11-D and the Leica Q3 43 to its full frame lineup, each featuring the same 60.3MP sensor.
However, its next camera – which is reported to launch in the next few months – is expected to employ a more conservative 24MP sensor. I'm talking, of course, about the Leica SL3-S – the anticipated sister model to the SL3.
Traditionally, the -S model has provided a lower price, lower resolution alternative to the main SL body; where the Leica SL2 had a 47MP sensor, the SL2-S had a 24MP version.
According to Leica Rumors, that pattern will continue when it comes to the SL3-S.
The Leica SL3-S is expected to be a 24MP sister model to the 60.3MP Leica SL3(Image credit: James Artaius)
"Leica is rumored to announce a new SL3-S camera by the end of 2024 or in early 2025," writes the outlet. "The SL3-S is expected to be 'easier' to use and have a lower resolution than the SL3 (most likely 24MP)."
Aside from this report about the resolution, there haven't been any credible camera rumors about the rest of the SL3-S's specs – but I do have a pet theory.
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This year, however, Leica's SL camera has arrived in the market ahead of Panasonic's corresponding S1 model. So this time round, I suspect that the Leica SL3-S may look similar to the Panasonic Lumix S5 II – a very template-fitting 24MP camera that features a phase detection-capable image sensor.
Whatever it looks like, with the SL2-S being announced in December 2020, it's very possible that the SL-3 will be revealed before the end of the year.
James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus / OM System, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and he loves instant cameras, too.
