Rangefinder is a member of the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), which has partnered with the testing laboratory Image Engineering for detailed camera reviews. We feature the new Leica SL2-S test results from TIPA here.

Like most camera manufacturers, Leica has fought the megapixel wars with gusto. Its SL2 delivered a 47-megapixel, full-frame sensor for still shooters in need of high resolution. And, like its peers, Leica followed it up with a variant adapted for the needs of hybrid creatives who need to film high-quality videos and shoot stills at faster frame rates than what the SL2 is capable of.

The SL2-S features a 24-megapixel backside illuminated-CMOS sensor and is capable of a blistering 25 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting driven by 4GB worth of buffer memory and Leica’s Maestro-III processor.

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The camera boasts multi-axis in-camera image stabilization. The shifting sensor also enables a high-resolution capture mode that grabs multiple still images at slightly different sensor positions and merges them into a single, 96-megapixel still image.

For natural light photographers, the SL2-S is capable of ISO sensitivities up to ISO 100,000 (you can also shoot at ISO 50). Studio photographers also get the nod: This is Leica’s first camera to offer direct tethered shooting using Capture One 21 (you can also tether via Lightroom).

As for video recording, you can record 4K films at 10-bit 4:2:2 using Leica’s L-Log gamma profile. The camera supports 4K frame rates up to 60p and full HD frame rates up to 180p. Leica says a future firmware update will unlock recording in the more efficient HEVC codec. The new firmware will also deliver an integrated waveform monitor and automatic follow focus—nice additions for more serious filmmakers.

Leica SL2-S Test Results: Resolution

The Leica SL2-S resolves 92 percent of its sensor’s theoretical maximum resolution at ISO 50. Its resolving power lags most competitors at base ISO. Sony’s Alpha 1, for instance, resolved 96 percent of its sensor’s theoretical maximum, while Canon’s EOS R5 hit 104 percent (values for the theoretical maximum can exceed 100 percent due to the nature of the test).

While it doesn’t boast the same maximum resolutions as many of its peer competitors, the Leica SL2-S test results showed that it does an excellent job sustaining a high level of resolving power as you climb ISO values. Even at the top ISO tested (ISO 12,500), the SL2-S was able to resolve 87 percent of its theoretical resolution. Cameras like the Sony Alpha 1, the Panasonic Lumix S1R, and Nikon Z 7II were dropping below that at ISO 6400. Only Canon’s EOS R5 is delivering greater resolving power at high ISOs—at ISO 6400, the R5 resolves 100 percent of its sensor’s theoretical maximum.

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Image Engineering found that the SL2-S’s texture reproduction is “excellent” and sharpening is applied consistently through ISO 12,500.

Noise? Not Much

When viewing the SL2-S’s files on a digital display enlarged to 100 percent, noise will only be noticeable starting at ISO 1600. That’s comparable to Sony’s Alpha 1 (which has nearly double the pixels on its sensor), but trails models like the Nikon Z 7 II.

By ISO 6400, noise would be obvious in this viewing condition.

Switch to small or large prints and Image Engineering found no visible noise at any ISO value tested. That’s similar to the Alpha 1 and EOS R5.

The Leica SL2-S: Dynamite Dynamic Range & Color Reproduction

Unlike many of its competitors, the SL2-S doesn’t deliver its widest dynamic range at base ISO. There, you’ll experience 9.9 stops—a good, but far from best-in-class result. But at most of the higher ISO values tested, the camera leaps to over 11 stops, putting it ahead of cameras like the Alpha 1, the Lumix S1R, and Nikon’s Z 7 II. It’s topped by the EOS R5, which is capable of 11.7 stops of dynamic range.

As for color reproduction, the SL2-S delivers some of the best performance of any recent full-frame camera. There’s not a single color that deviated strongly from its reference target. By way of comparison, models like the Sony a7R IV or EOS R5, which performed very well in color reproduction, still had three colors deviate strongly from their references.

You can also expect consistent and accurate automatic white balance throughout the camera’s ISO range.

Video Results for the SL2-S

At ISO 50, the camera can resolve 99 percent of its sensor’s theoretical maximum at both high and low ISO values, putting it in the same league as the EOS R5 or Sony a7R IV. Image Engineering said texture reproduction during video recording was “super.”

The SL2-2 applies very mild sharpening during video.

As for visual noise during filming, the SL2-S produced no observable noise in any viewing condition at both high and low ISOs. Automatic white balance was dubbed “superlative” while the color reproduction was “very good” at both high and low ISOs. Image Engineering did note that autofocusing in video didn’t react as quickly “as one might expect” though for filmmakers who typically use manual focus, this is far from a dealbreaker.

Speed and Performance

The SL2-S starts up in 1.5 seconds. Using the mechanical shutter, the camera snaps away at 8.7 frames per second (fps) in JPEG or RAW. You can shoot JPEGs until the card is full or to 50 RAW files. Switch the electronic shutter and the speed soars to 25.7fps for up to 50 images before slowing down. Among full-frame cameras, the Leica SL2-S is quite fast.

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Autofocus in bright light (300lx) and lower light (30x) was clocked at half-a-second, not particularly speedy compared to other cameras in its class.

Price: $4, 995

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Read more camera test results and reviews HERE.