The Leica SL3-S Explained in Three Photos
PLUS: Announcing my Streets of India Workshop
It’s been a month and a half since the launch of the Leica SL3-S, and the most common question I get is: Is it worth it?
Worth is a deeply personal concept that varies from person to person. I can’t tell you whether this—or any camera—is worth it for you. But what I can share are my experiences.
I’ve been shooting with the Leica SL3-S for eight months, and this week, I wanna share three photos that highlight what makes this camera worth it for to me. Three moments that made me truly appreciate having this camera in my kit.
One More Shot
The image below was captured for the Leica SL3-S launch campaign. It didn’t make the final cut, but over time, I’ve grown quite fond of it. It serves as a reminder of one of the SL3-S’s biggest strengths and that’s the ability to keep shooting when it matters most.
We were wrapping up a fashion shoot, and while my shot list was complete, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to capture. As my team packed up around me, I stayed locked in, firing off more frames. It felt like the second wind of a marathon where just when you think you’re done, you find another gear. I kept going, even as the set was being torn down and equipment was shuffled to our cars, all while repeating every photographer’s favourite lie: “one more shot.”
Speed is where the SL3-S shines. Sure, the autofocus is a huge leap forward, where it’s tracking subjects with incredible accuracy. But that’s just the start. Shooting up to 30 frames per second? Huge. Switching to a natural light profile in seconds? Effortless. Adjusting drive mode with a simple tap-and-hold on the screen instead of diving into menus? Every camera should do this.
This image—and the entire shoot—reinforced what sets the SL3-S apart from the rest of the Leica lineup. Speed. Everything about this camera is faster, smoother, and more intuitive. And the moment you start using it, you feel the difference.
The Bandwidth Problem
Building on the last point, I often find myself in live environments where there’s no second chance to capture a shot. Whether it’s a concert, a movie set, or the streets of India, I get these brief windows to create something meaningful before the moment disappears. Like the one you see below. The framing of the lorry, the bike, and the person all align in what might become one of my favourite shots this year.
This is where the SL3-S stands out. Instead of chasing extreme resolution, it prioritizes efficiency. At 24MP, file sizes are smaller, allowing for faster processing and transfer. That means you can fire off more shots in rapid succession without hitting a buffer limit so quickly. Even offloading images, whether wired or wirelessly, happens noticeably faster. And in those instances where I have to sit down with thousands of images to triage, well, it’s just all so much easier when files are almost a third of what I’m capturing on a larger resolution Leica.
If your photography style doesn’t demand heavy cropping, the Leica SL3-S offers a host of advantages that enhances the shooting experience, especially in fast-paced environments. It’s a collection of these subtle refinements that make a real difference in live situations. And for those wondering—24MP is more than enough, even for large prints. I say this as someone fortunate enough to have my work displayed outside Leica stores across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America.
Moving Photos
Alright, this one might feel like a copout, but I can’t ignore it. The filmmaking capabilities of the Leica SL3-S are seriously powerful, far beyond what most users will ever fully tap into. But that’s exactly why it shouldn’t be overlooked. Even if you’re primarily a photographer, these features can open up new creative possibilities.
The screen grab below is from a clip I shot for BOUNDLESS, the launch film for the Leica SL3-S. It’s a frame I’ve grown to love. One I’ve spent hours grading just for the fun of it. And in many ways, it serves as a reminder of what this camera can do. Capturing 6K ProRes at an incredibly high bitrate—handheld, in tough lighting conditions—adds value in ways most cameras simply don’t.
The resolution alone means you can pull 20MP stills from a video, which is incredible on its own. The ProRes format means that you have smooth editing experience. The bitrate ensures that you get tons of colour information at your disposable. And being able to record in L-Log means that you a file that grades effortlessly.
The Leica SL3-S is a robust photography tool, but its video capabilities shouldn’t be overlooked. This image was pulled from a video, and it’s something I’ve come to truly appreciate. Every time I look at it, I’m reminded of just how capable this camera really is. And inevitably, I’m reminded of how I can be pushing this camera further in more moments.
Bringing It All Home
Here’s the thing, when you compound these three value propositions with Leica’s optics, durability and user experience of the SL platform, you have this offering that feels truly unique. It takes the ethos of this ecosystem and branches into new territories that help me capture the story I’m looking for.
If I could bring it all together, the Leica SL3-S is a modern solution that empowers users to capture stunning photos or videos in **any moment**. Those last two words are emphasized for a reason. It’s especially in the toughest of environments, the most dynamic of situations, and moments where pressed for delivering that this camera shines. It’s a robust first addition but especially valuable for Leica users looking to fill the gaps of their existing Leica camera.
M11 and SL3-S? Powerful documentary kit. Q3 and SL3-S? Dynamic pairing for weddings and events. SL3 and SL3-S? Studio work will feel like a breeze. The Leica SL3-S does enough to stand on its own. When paired with a second Leica, well, the duo suddenly feels larger than the sum of its parts.
Streets of India with Gajan Balan
It’s finally happening! I’m thrilled to announce my first workshop, and I’m designing it to be the ultimate street photography experience across India. What does that mean? It means I’m curating a one-of-a-kind journey that you won’t find anywhere else—an experience rooted in creativity, expertise, and adventure.
Here’s what’s included:
Three cities in 10 days – A fast-paced, immersive experience
Unique shooting opportunities – A special selection of scenes and spaces
Key logistics covered – Hotels, drivers, and inter-city flights, all taken care of
Multiple instructors – Gain insights from diverse perspectives
Guest lectures – Learn from a variety of industry experts
Limited to 8-10 guests – A small group for personalized learning
Indulgent meal plan – Enjoy bold and unforgettable dining experiences
And much more!
This workshop will take place in late September and go into early October. From the moment you land in India, you’ll be guided through a street photography adventure like no other. My fellow instructors and I will be there every step of the way to share our knowledge and techniques with you.
The official workshop page will go live later this month where you’ll find all the details about this workshop. If you’re interested in being the first to know, visit the link here to join the waitlist.
February Contest Winner
Congratulations to the winner of last month’s contest:
Crystal M.
You’ll receive an email directly from me on activating your gift card. Enjoy!
March Contest
This month, I’ll be giving away a $200 gift card to the Moment Shop where the winner can save big on their next camera, lens, bag, or courses. Moment has so many creative products to choose from and $200 can absolutely make for a great deal.
How will I pick the winner? Make sure you’re signed up for this newsletter then leave a comment on at least one post from this month. I’ll be randomly picking one person, confirming they meet the requirements and contacting them directly before announcing the winner publicly.
Once again, this contest is void where prohibited by law. Good luck!
My thanks to the team at Moment! Not only for this contest but for being the longest supporter of my work online. They’re a lean team of passionate creators that truly believe in supporting other creatives on their journey. Whether it’s a new camera, lens, workshop, or just some great articles, visit ShopMoment.com today.
What’s Next?
For those wondering, the team at Leica never asked me to write this or other stories about the SL3-S. There also wasn’t any request to create additional videos for my personal Instagram or YouTube. As a global launch ambassador, my agreement with them was to produce videos, photos, and a testimonial for their channels.
The reason I’m sharing additional stories around this camera on my channels is because I’m genuinely loving the experience. I got so much value out of the Leica SL2-S and this new iteration is exceeding it in every way. My goal is to (sparingly) share authentic stories around my experience so that new users can have a richer onboarding experience.
With that being said, I’m gonna hit pause on the camera talk for the rest of the month. I’ve curated some special stories for the next four weeks that I’ve been dying to share with you. For those of you that are subscribing members of Church & Street, I think you’re gonna love what I have in store. Stay tuned.
GB
A great read with beautiful imagery. I contemplated the SL3-s but went with the SL3 instead to go along side my Q3 43. But seeing what the SL3-s is capable despite its lower MP is amazing. You really can’t go wrong with the SL line up.
Thank you for sharing your experience w/ this camera. Bieng able to capture the moment without worrying about your equipment really allows you focus on the moments happening infront of you.