Reviews |Leica S3: new 64MP medium format camera announced

Leica S3: new 64MP medium format camera announced

Leica S3: new 64MP medium format camera announced
News

Leica Camera has announced the S3, a new 64-megapixel medium format camera that records 4K Cinema video and employs the company’s new L mount.

Details are still trickling in live from Photokina 2018 where our team is reporting back from the press conference at the Leica stand.

The Leica S3 marks an upgrade in resolution over the S2, jumping from 37.5 megapixels to 64 million pixels. It also now offers 3fps continuous shooting.

However one of the big standout upgrades will surely be its video performance. The Leica S3 now offers both Cinema 4K and Full HD video that are un-cropped, using the whole of the sensor.

The Leica S3 release date should be spring 2019. We’ll be adding more details as we get them.

Firmware Updates for the Leica SL-System, Leica S (Typ 007), Leica M10 and Leica M10-P

Meanwhile, Leica has issued a series of firmware updates to its SL-System cameras, Leica S (Typ 007) and the brand new M10-P. The updates add a range of performance enhancements:

Leica’s latest firmware update for the Leica SL-System, version 3.3, addresses a number of improvements and is also fully compatible with the aforementioned Leica FOTOS app. Firmware improvements include an upgraded Power Saving Mode, which allows the camera to go into ‘Auto Power Off’ after a fixed amount of time – formerly 10 seconds and now three seconds – that the electronic viewfinder or any operating element is not in use. This function helps maximize battery life for users who need to get the very longest use out of a single charge. Furthermore, an additional option ‘Shutter Pressed’ has been added to Auto Review settings, and the option ‘Off’ no longer enables the camera to show Auto Review while the shutter release is pressed. These revised settings allow photographers to focus on the action in fast action moments where there may not be time to review each picture. Leica SL-System Firmware update 3.3 is available beginning today from the Leica corporate website or can be downloaded from the Leica Owners Area.

Firmware Update 5.0.0.0 for the Leica S (Typ 007), also fully compatible with Leica FOTOS, offers a number of improvements, including an improved video operation with the Leica S Cable Release for remote start/stop control, as well as a new 3:1 photo mask that enables easier composing for super wide aspect ratios. To allow further flexibility, the update also allows for a longer exposure time of up to two minutes. Additional quality-of-life improvements include center markings for Live View Autofocus, customization for the Top Dial and a number of bug fixes relating to the GPS Tag, the mirror and color patterns with certain lenses. Firmware Update 5.0.0.0 for the Leica S (Typ 007) is available beginning today from www.us.leica-camera.com or can be downloaded from the Leica Owners Area.

Leica Firmware Updates 2.6.5.0 and 2.6.5.1 for the Leica M10 and Leica M10-P respectively, both fully compatible with Leica FOTOS, add a number of improvements including a new QR code which enables easy pairing of smartphones and Leica cameras and 1-Click Connection with the FN button. The firmware updates also remove the submenu for setting a name and password by offering a fixed Wi-Fi name and password, while also removing the submenu for setting a connection mode. Leica Firmware Updates 2.6.5.0 and 2.6.5.1 are available beginning today from the Leica corporate website or can be downloaded from the Leica Owners Area.