Leica SL3 Reporter Announced – Engineered for Exceptional Durability

Leica’s SL3 Reporter joins the corporate’s lineup as a rugged, extra discreet tackle the SL3. It retains the identical 60MP full-frame sensor and processing energy, however wraps them in a matte olive-green physique with Aramid material trim that’s scratch-resistant and weather-sealed, designed for sturdiness within the hardest situations. The Leica SL3 Reporter is a stills-first hybrid digicam designed for photographers who prioritize reliability and picture high quality above all else, so let’s have a look!Leica launched the SL3 final yr, adopted by the extra video-oriented SL3-S in the beginning of this yr. The brand new SL3 Reporter continues Leica’s custom of sturdy discipline cameras, increasing the “Reporter” line with an SL3 model geared toward photographers who work in demanding environments. You may get a really feel for the SL3 normally from the next video:Design and buildWhat makes the SL3 Reporter stand out is its construct. It has a magnesium and aluminum physique with a scratch-resistant, matte olive inexperienced end. It’s strengthened with Aramid material, a troublesome materials with a slight texture that improves grip and, over time, will present a bit of damage that displays use reasonably than injury. The digicam is sealed to an IP54 commonplace, so it affords safety towards mud and splashes.Leica has eliminated the pink emblem, and all exterior markings are discreet, so the digicam has a extra impartial aesthetic. It contains twin card slots – one CFexpress Sort B and one SD UHS-II for versatile file administration, together with a USB-C port that handles each quick transfers and in-camera charging. A full-size HDMI 2.1 port, plus microphone and headphone jacks, will make it simpler to combine right into a combined picture and video setup.Matte, scratch-resistant end. Picture credit score: LeicaSensor and picture qualityAs with the SL3, the SL3 Reporter contains a 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor, paired with Leica’s Maestro IV processor and an 8 GB buffer, which is twice the capability of the SL2-S. The mix delivers as much as 15 frames per second and helps an ISO vary from 50 to 100,000.Leica’s Triple Decision Expertise additionally allows you to seize pictures at 60, 36, or 18 megapixels with out cropping the sensor. Smaller recordsdata nonetheless carry the identical 14-bit depth, which is helpful whenever you don’t want full decision or need faster transfers.Leica SL3 Reporter – rear structure. Picture credit score: Leica Autofocus efficiency matches the SL3, utilizing a hybrid system that mixes phase-detect, distinction, and object detection. It could possibly acknowledge faces, eyes, and animals, and Leica describes the system as exact and adaptable for various lighting situations.5-axis in-body stabilization provides about 5 stops of compensation, sufficient to maintain handheld photographs sharp. The tilting 3.2-inch touchscreen makes it simpler to work at excessive or low angles, and with the physique’s IP54 sealing, you don’t have to fret a lot concerning the climate.High structure. Picture credit score: LeicaVideo capabilitiesAlthough the SL3 Reporter is primarily a stills digicam, its video options are sturdy sufficient for hybrid initiatives. It data internally in 8K, C8K, 4K, C4K, and Full HD at 10-bit, with assist for ProRes 422 HQ in 1080p. Footage could be saved on both of the twin card slots or despatched by the full-size HDMI 2.1 port to an exterior recorder.The digicam contains microphone and headphone ports, and the USB-C interface helps exterior energy for prolonged recording. Whereas it lacks built-in ND filters and devoted cinema instruments, the accessible choices cowl the standard wants of photographers who additionally shoot video.Picture credit score: LeicaKey features60MP Full-Body BSI CMOS SensorScratch-Resistant End | Aramid FabricMaestro IV Picture Processor, 8GB BufferHybrid AF System with PDAF & Distinction AF5.76m-Dot 0.78x-Magazine. EyeRes OLED EVF3.2″ 2.3m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD8K, C8K, 4K, C4K & FHD 10-Bit RecordingProRes 1080p & Apple MFi SupportISO 50-100000, As much as 15 fps Shooting5-Axis Sensor-Shift Picture StabilizationWho it’s forThe SL3 Reporter tilts clearly towards images. It options the identical 60-megapixel full-frame sensor as the usual SL3, however its design and construct are what actually set it aside. The physique is strong, sealed towards climate, and made for the form of work that occurs exterior a studio. Video options are included, however they play a secondary position right here; cameras with decrease resolutions sometimes provide sooner readout and extra specialised codecs. The Reporter retains its give attention to nonetheless work, the place its strengths are most obvious.Value and availabilityThe Leica SL3 Reporter is anticipated to be launched shortly and is priced at $7,995, with the usual SL3 promoting for $7,485. For extra info, please see the Leica web site. Detailed technical information could be discovered right here. How do you see the SL3 Reporter becoming into your work – as a troublesome stills digicam or an all-round hybrid? Would you commerce just a few video options for a physique constructed to deal with the weather? Tell us your ideas within the feedback under.