Leica has unveiled its latest full-frame mirrorless camera, the 24-megapixel SL3-S with improved performance and video compared to its predecessor, the SL2-S. It usually resembles a photo-centric 60-megapixel The SL3 was unveiled in March last yearbut aimed at hybrid users who shoot stills and video. Spec-wise, it is similar to Panasonic $2,200 S5 IIX mirrorless camera and may use a similar sensor.

The L-mount SL3-S has a chunkier body than the Leica rangefinder cameras you may be used to. It offers front and rear dials to control key functions, along with a pair of mode dials, a joystick and several buttons. However, it lacks some of the controls found on models like the S5 IIX – so you’ll have to go into the menus to change some settings.

Fortunately, the rear touchscreen is large and very high in resolution (5.7-million dots), although it only tilts and does not fully express which is not good for a hybrid camera. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) offers 5.76-million dot resolution, which is solid but a bit low compared to similarly priced rivals.

A significant improvement is faster autofocus, thanks to the updated 24-megapixel full-frame BSI CMOS sensor. It allows burst shooting up to 30fps with continuous phase detection AF, with relatively long acquisition times thanks to support for fast CFexpress Type B memory cards. The company also promises 15 stops of dynamic range which should allow for fine adjustments when shooting RAW files.

Another key new feature is the video segment, with 6K 3:2 “open-gate” capture (5,952 x 3,968 exactly) recording, or 5,888 x 3,312 RAW 10-bit (on an external recorder), along with 4K 60p . The SL3-S also supports ProRes recording to USB-C devices or CFexpress B cards. (It’s not clear if internal RAW video recording is supported, though a spec sheet from B&H Photo Video appears to be the case.) Those video specs line up closely with Panasonic’s S5 IIX, although the latter lacks a CFexpress card slot.

The main benefit of a Leica camera is the sharp (and expensive) Leica lenses, although the SL3-S can also use glass from L-Mount partners, Panasonic and Sigma. The only big advantage the S5 IIx has is the addition of a CFexpress card slot, but otherwise both models have the same specs – so if that red Leica dot is worth an extra $3,100 it’s in the buyer to decide. Leica’s SL3-S is now on sale for $5,295 at B&H Photo Video and elsewhere.