Leica Camera has delivered the latest model of its medium format system to retailers worldwide – having previously announced the development of the Leica S3 at photokina 2018. The outstanding excellence of the Leica S and its lenses is rooted in a well thought-out system in which every component represents an integral element of the recording process.
In addition to the most obvious improvement – an increase in resolution from 37.5 to 65 megapixels – the medium format camera features a number of technological advances. Just like its predecessors, the Leica S3 also utilizes the Leica ProFormat developed especially for the Leica S-System.
With its dimensions of 30 x 45 millimeters, it corresponds to the classic 3:2 aspect ratio of the 35 mm full-frame format, but offers a 56 percent larger sensor area. In comparison with its predecessor, the new 64 megapixel sensor developed exclusively for Leica offers a 71 percent increase in resolution, a dynamic range of 15 f-stops and a maximum ISO sensitivity setting of 50000 – thereby providing sufficient reserves to be ready to handle any imaginable lighting situation and fully exploit the strengths of the medium format.
Subjects can be composed in the large and bright SLR viewfinder, focused sharply with the fast and reliable autofocus and captured at a continuous shooting rate of three frames per second. In addition to all other essential exposure settings, an electronic levelling aid (horizon) can also be displayed in the viewfinder.
Whenever required, the LCD screen displays a Live-View image with a refresh rate of up to 60 fps is available in both still picture and video recording mode that also allows focus peaking, brightness and exposure data, a clipping warning, grids, and a histogram to be superimposed onto the image.
As with other members of the Leica S – System, the Leica S3 is constructed using superior-quality and extremely resilient materials: examples include the magnesium body, the Corning Gorilla Glass cover plate of the 3-inch monitor screen as well as the lens bayonet, which is made from particularly solid stainless steel.
Furthermore, the numerous seals that protect the camera against the ingress of moisture, dust, and other foreign bodies contribute to the reliability and long service life of the camera when shooting on location.