With the idea of the quality of a medium format camera and the versatility of an SLR, the Leica S range was born many years ago. An idea that is not new but that currently seems to make more sense than ever, that is why the prestigious German firm launches the Leica S3, which stands out for a new 64-megapixel resolution and 15 EV steps of dynamic range.
The new Leica S3 has great similarities to the previous and five-year-old Leica S Type 007, especially in appearance. But inside the shell, a lot has happened and improved. The 30x45mm mid-format Leica ProFormat CMOS sensor (3: 2) has a resolution of 64 megapixels and provides a dynamic range of 15 EV steps, as well as sensitivity up to the equivalent of 100-50,000 ISO. The camera has no low pass filter in front of the sensor.
It can shoot at three frames per second and record 4K video (4096 x 2160 pixels) with a frame rate of 24 fps and Full HD video (1920 x 1080 pixels) with a frame frequency of 24, 25 or 30 fps. Everything is supported by the Leica Maestro 2 processor coupled with a 2 GB buffer. The lens mount is the classic Leica S and is compatible with all the lenses in the range and with the others with suitable adapters.
Like the Leica S Type 007, the S3 has a switch button for the trigger for adjustment between CS (central shutter) and FPS (focal plane shutter). The back of the Leica S3 has a 3-inch screen protected by a Gorilla Glass, with the resolution of 921,600 pixels, that in live view mode can display up to 60 frames per second.
With dimensions of 160 x 80 x 120 mm, the camera with a magnesium alloy body weighs 1260 g. Autofocus is predictive and manages to focus well on moving subjects. To support it, we also have a Penta-prismatic viewfinder with 98% coverage of the photographic field. As for the photo department, the Leica S3 takes photos in DNG format, which allows compression with loss of details almost non-existent.
Leica S3 will be delivered at the end of March 2020 and can now be pre-ordered for $18,995.
