Leica launches full-frame mirrorless camera

A customer to Leica's store in Seoul takes a photo with the German camera maker's latest product SL2, Thursday. / Yonhap

By Baek Byung-yeul

• Published Nov 21, 2019 5:15 PM KST
• Updated Nov 21, 2019 7:23 PM KST

By Baek Byung-yeul

German camera maker Leica has rolled out its latest full-frame mirrorless camera, the Leica SL2, in Korea, the company said Thursday.

The high-end camera has a 47-megapixel full-frame sensor.

“The SL2 is a completely upgraded camera of Leica's first full-frame mirrorless camera SL, which was launched in 2015,” the company said. “Design-wise, the SL2 is thinner than the SL and has better ergonomics with an IP54 certification for dust and water resistance.”

Compared with the SL, which has a 24-megapixel full-frame sensor, the SL2 can better meet the demands of professional photographers.

Full-frame means that the size of the frame is the same size as a camera that uses traditional 35-millimeter film and enables higher quality images.

Mirrorless cameras have been gaining popularity compared with digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras because they are usually smaller and lighter than DSLRs.

The SL2 also targets users who prefer to shoot video as it has 4k video capabilities for smoother and more “cinematic” footage.

To help users quickly share images on social media, the company also unveiled the smartphone app Leica FOTOS so that users can upload their photos wirelessly.

Leica has been actively trying to gain more Korean consumers as the Korean unit opened an independent store in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, where the stores of luxury consumer brands are all gathered.

For the first time among its stores throughout the world, Leica has enabled visitors to the Cheongdam store to not only browse their products but also receive after-sales service at one place.

The SL2 is available at a price of 8.55 million won ($7,258).