Leica SL2 on sale! Great deals, time to buy?
It is time to buy a Leica SL2 camera? The Leica SL3 has been out for a while so SL2 prices have been slashed over the last 6 months. I’ve tested the SL2 a few times and I’ve just revisited my old files. The colours are fantastic and I love the 47MP sensor details!
Leica SL2 review
I did review the Leica SL2 for YouTube when it was a new camera. The Leica SL2 release date was back in 2019. Since then we’ve had the Leica SL2-S (2020), Leica SL3 (2024) and the new Leica SL3-S (2025). I will link the mentioned camera reviews if you want to see those.
My Existing Leica cameras
If you’re a new reader my current digital Leica cameras include –
My idea is to replace my very worn Leica SL with the Leica SL2 camera (or Leica SL2-s).
Leica SL2 vs SL similarities
Both cameras share the same common features –
- Very similar shape and design
- Full frame mirrorless camera with L mount
- White Leica font on the front of the camera
- ISO – Base ISO of 50 – Max 50,000
- Mechanical shutter to 1/8000
- Electronic shutter to 1/16,000
Benefits of the Leica SL2 vs SL
What improvements does the Leica SL2 camera offer vs original SL?
- More megapixels – 47MP vs 24MP
- 47MP means in APS-C mode you still get big file
- More pixels means you can crop in post (more)
- USB-C charging
- High res viewfinder – 5.76M vs 4.4M
- Built-in body stabilisation – 5.5 stop IBIS vs none
- Bigger rear LCD – 3.2″ vs 3″ screen
- Faster – 20FPS vs 11FPS
- Improved video
Drawbacks of the Leica SL2 vs SL
It’s not all good news. Drawbacks of the Leica SL2 include –
- Heavier – 916g vs 847g (with battery)
- Worse in low light – Due to increased megapixels
- Reduced battery life – 370 photos vs 400 photos
- Bigger file size – Fills the computer faster
Testing the Leica SL2
The first time I used the Leica SL2 was at Leica Mayfair back in 2020. It’s crazy how fast time flies! For this occasion I used a manual focus Leica M lens via the Leica M-L adapter. Here are some results.
Voigtlander lens on Leica SL2 photos
Photos were captured in RAW then edited with the old MrLeica Leica SL2 preset that I’ve just replaced from 2020. The lens I was using was the Voigtlander 35mm f1.2 ASPH II.
Teaching a Leica workshop in Spain
The second time I used the Leica SL2 was during a Leica workshop in Spain. My student and I both flew to Alicante on the Spanish coast in search of some out of season sunshine. I knew Hidde from previous workshops we’ve done together in The Netherlands. Great guy and one of my awesome Patreons.
Leica SL2 photos with Sigma 85mm f1.4
Hidde booked me for one of my 1:1 model photography workshops (using Leica cameras + Hasselblad). See my Hasselblad X2D review as that was the same trip! Hidde had the Leica SL2 camera paired with the autofocus Sigma 85mm f1.4 Art lens. Perfect for portraits and the Sigma Art lens did an excellent job.
Revisiting the Leica SL2 files
It’s been over two years since Hidde and I got together in Spain. As I’m now interested in potentially purchasing the Leica SL2 I wanted to revisit the camera RAW files. I’ve changed computer since our workshop so to rework the RAW files I made some new presets for the SL2. The colours blew me away!
New Leica SL2 presets for Lightroom
To edit the Leica SL2 files I developed 4 different presets to suit different lighting conditions and both for colour and black and white. My 4 Leica SL2 presets are –
- MrLeica Leica SL2 BW1 – B&W higher contrast
- MrLeica Leica SL2 BW2 – B&W lower contrast
- MrLeica Leica SL2 Col1 – Colour (Warmer)(Kodak Gold 200 vibes)
- MrLeica Leica SL2 Col2 – Colour (Cooler) Stylised look
Leica SL2 sample photos using presets
See the sliders below to see the effect of each preset. Leica SL2 RAW unedited file on the left, RAW + MrLeica preset, right.
- MrLeica Leica SL2 BW1 – B&W higher contrast
- MrLeica Leica SL2 BW1 – B&W higher contrast
- MrLeica Leica SL2 Col1 – Colour (Warmer)(Kodak Gold 200 vibes)
- MrLeica Leica SL2 Col2 – Colour (Cooler) Stylised look
Download MrLeica presets
To download the Leica SL2 presets or Lightroom presets for other Leica cameras click here.
Big files fill the computer.. but look crisp!
Normally when I’m asked I always say I don’t need more than 24MP. My computer hard drives seem to fill up too fast already without having large files I need to store. With all that said though I love the 47MP files from the Leica SL2 on the computer. A great balance of detail plus falloff when shooting fast lenses wide open for portraits. (Photo below is a crop but full res upload).
47MP is great for cropping
You can off course crop in much more when you have more mega-pixels. Normally I crop in camera like I would with film but if you prefer to crop in post you can crop heavily and still have great details. Here are some creative crops as examples. (Photos edited with presets).
Leica SL2 colours
As someone that has used almost every digital Leica camera (excluding the recent Leica SL3s), the colours of the Leica SL2 files are really quite impressive. I’m not a fan of the Sony sensor colours found in the Leica M11, Leica SL3, Leica Q3 and Leica Q343. (Too magenta out of camera but they can be fixed with my various MrLeica presets).
The Leica SL2 colours look more organic and almost film-like in their tones. Really happy with the colour edits using the new presets. (The Leica SL2-s colours are not as nice but again you can fix with editing).
Leica SL2 vs Leica SL2-S
Talking of the Leica SL2-S, I did compare the Leica SL vs SL2 vs SL2s in a previous post. See the Leica SL vs SL2 vs SL2-S article which includes a YouTube video and me using all 3 SL cameras side by side. In brief let’s summarise the SL2 vs SL2-S –
Benefits of the Leica SL2-S
- Leica SL2-S is cheaper
- Better low light performance (~2 stops better)
- Improved video capabilities
- Longer battery life (510 photos vs 370)
- Faster
Why the Leica SL2 wins
- 47MP vs 24MP
- APS-C mode (gives more range)
- Nicer colours out of camera
- Slightly lighter (916g vs 931g)
Photographer vs Videographer
Both cameras are near identical to operate and both bodies offer photos and video. The SL2 is perhaps more for photographers and the SL2-S for video guys. That said, I’ve seen rave reviews from video guys using the SL2 so it probably comes down to if you want 24MP or 47MP.
I do mostly photos but as a YouTuber I have the excuse to use the video feature. Currently I use a Lumix S5 for video. If you want a cheap alternative to Leica SL cameras check out the Lumix S5.
Leica SL2 vs Leica SL3?
If you’ve read my Leica SL3 vs SL3s article I tested the Leica SL3 at the launch event. I like the slightly smaller size and less weight but I definitely don’t need 60MP. See the Leica SL3 article for how it compares to the older Leica SL2.
On sale – Leica SL2 and SL2s
Last year I posted a YouTube video explaining that the Leica SL2 and SL2s were on sale. Leica suddenly slashed prices and you could buy a Leica SL2 new for £2999 which was crazy. (Leica SL2s prices were also cut). How much is the SL2 camera today, as we now have the Leica SL3-s too?
Leica SL2 used price
At the time of writing you can find used Leica SL2 cameras in the UK for under £2600 in photography stores and closer to £2K on eBay. That’s good value for a full frame 47MP Leica camera. Leica SL2-S cameras are cheaper than the SL2, going for under £2200 on MPB.
Verdict
In conclusion, I’m so impressed by the Leica SL2 colours and I do like the added features the Leica SL2 offers over my original Leica SL. I’m still torn between the Leica SL2 and SL2-s so expect a follow up post when I buy a new (used) SL series camera to replace my old SL.
It’s worth noting that the original Leica SL is now the deal of the century and can be found used for under £1500. Amazing camera that offers most of the same benefits as the SL2 and SL2s but I fancy a change. See some of my Leica SL reviews for lots of sample photos!
Update – I bought a Leica SL2
Following this article I was torn between the Leica SL2 vs SL2s. Eventually I went for the SL2 and this article explains why –
I hope you enjoyed this write-up and I’ll add the new SL2 presets to download here.
YouTube review of the Leica SL2 (First impressions)
When the price of the SL2S fell and the SL2 also dropped, I traded in my SL and bought both. I spent less than the original price of a SL2S for two new cameras. Unbelievable deal and I couldn’t be happier.
Amazing Tom, smart move! Prices went back up after that to what they are today so you did well.