Leica SL3 has a
60.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Maestro IV processor. On the other hand, Leica SL2-S has a
24.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Maestro III processor.
Leica SL3's sensor provides 36MP more than Leica SL2-S's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Another similarity between these two cameras is that both Leica SL2-S and Leica SL3 sensors lack anti-alias (Low-Pass) filters. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the SL3 and SL2-S sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Leica SL3 and Leica SL2-S Cameras
Leica SL3 and Leica SL2-S have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Leica SL2-S has 94% larger pixel area (36.00µm 2 vs 18.49µm 2 ) compared to Leica SL3, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Leica SL3
or the
Leica SL2-S ,
including hyperfocal distance.
