Leica wants to enter the professional video market, and the newly announced Firmware Version 2.0 is a good start. The update offers solid improvements of the video capabilities of the Leica SL2-S, like HEVC 4K 60FPS 10-bit recording, enhanced AF, waveforms and more. Explore them below.

Leica SL2-S

Following the footsteps of the Leica SL2, the full-frame mirrorless Leica SL2-S, released in late 2020, was the first Leica camera to feature a new 24MP CMOS-BSI sensor, making it a camera built for speed and high-quality video capture .The goal was (and still is) to offer an unparalleled, intuitive hybrid photography experience and the best of two worlds. For instance, the SL2-S includes Cine Mode for professional film performance (as defined by Leica), 4K 10-bit 4:2:2, robust build and more. To sum up, the Leica SL2-S captures 4K and Cine4K 10-bit 4:2:2 videos with Leica’s L-LOG gamma, at frame rates of up to 60 fps, and with unlimited recording time for, which means that the video length is only limited by the respective internal or external memory.

Firmware Update 2.0: Boosting video capabilities

In the newly announced firmware update 2.0, the video capabilities are further enhanced. In short, the camera will utilize a new autofocus algorithm that significantly improves focus tracking along with the camera’s eye, face, head, and body detection. Moreover, the Leica SL2-S supports the highly efficient HEVC video compression standard for 10-bit recordings up to 4K/60p (h.265). Also, videos can be split into one-minute segments, in order to minimize the risk of data loss. Other enhancing features include an integrated waveform monitor, Colour-Bar, Timecode Input and Tally Mode, all of which further enhance the camera’s suitability for professional use. Explore the full list below.

Leica SL2-S: Firmware Version 2.0

1. New Autofocus algorithm: Improved eye/face/head/body recognition and focus tracking
2. HEVC video compression: Internal 4K recording with 10 Bit at 60p/50p with h.265 codec
3. Long-GOP: Recording for 10 Bit codecs with 150 – 200 MB/s means same Image Quality as All-Intra but less than half of data size
4. Segmented Video: Videorecording will be split 1 minute segments to avoid data loss
5. Individual Viewing LUT: Upload function for individual Look Up Tables
6. Enhanced Live View: Better low light image composition control of the Live View image
7. Image Overlay : Allows alignment of the camera position on basis of a previous taken image, that is displayed in a transparent mode in the EVF or on the LCD
8. Automatic Follow Focus: Definition of three focus points for automatic focus shift during video recording
9. Wave form monitor: Professional exposure valuation of the video signal
10. Color bar: Reference for correct color grading and sound control in postproduction
11. Tally Mode: Camera shows red frame on LCD during video recording
12. Highlight weighted metering: Metering method to save highlights instead of shadows
13. Dynamic-range control: Increase brightness in shadows
14. Highlight-shadow control: Precise contrast adjustment controls

The firware can be downloaded from the Leica website. 

Initial insights

The Leica SL2-S combined with firmware ver 2.0 is a good news for filmmakers. It can be a sign for Leica to hit the R&D gas regarding video features of its cameras, so that the hefty price tag can be justified.

Product List

Camera: Leica SL2-S. Price: $4,995 [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://adorama.rfvk.net/zaxBje” ]