6 23 November 2019 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113LEICA was the second company after
Sony to make a full-frame mirrorless
camera, in the shape of the 24MP SL (Typ
601) in 2015, and now it has followed up
with the updated SL2. The new model
sports a 47.3MP sensor that’s presumably
similar to the one used in the Q2 fi xed-lens
compact earlier this year, and which now
benefi ts from 5-axis in-body stabilisation.
Other improvements include a higher-
resolution 5.76m-dot electronic viewfi nder,
and a simplifi ed rear control layout that drops
the SL’s hot keys in favour of a more intuitive
approach similar to the APS-C Leica CL.
Aside from that, the SL2 follows much the
same template as its predecessor, with a
chunky metal SLR-shaped body and fi xed rear
touchscreen. External controls are reduced
to the essentials, with twin electronic dials,
an AF-point joystick and a small smattering
of function buttons. A top-plate OLED
screen helps the user keep track of settings.
Due at the end of this month for £5,
body only, the SL2 is priced well above its
nominal rivals such as the Panasonic Lumix
S1R, Nikon Z 7 and Sony Alpha 7R IV. But this
is as we expect – Leica is not trying to compete
directly with these mainstream manufacturers.Leica SL2 sports
stabilised 47.3MP sensor
Two premium Panasonic
full-frame zooms
PANASONIC has
announced a pair of
high-end zooms for its
full-frame mirrorless Lumix S
system. The Lumix S Pro 16-35mm f/
(S-R1635) wideangle and Lumix S Pro
70-200mm f/2.8 OIS (S-E70200)
telephoto will join the fi rm’s existing 24-
70mm f/2.8, 24-105mm f/4 macro, 50mm
f/1.4 and 70-200mm f/4 optics in its L-mount
line-up, as it works on building up the basic
lens range required by serious users.
Looking fi rst at the 16-35mm f/4, this wide
zoom features a 12-element, 9-group design,
including three aspherical elements and one
each constructed from extra-low dispersion
(ED) and ultra-high refractive index (UHR)
glass. It sports a 77mm fi lter thread, 25cm
minimum focus distance and a 9-bladed
diaphragm. At 85mm in diameter and 100mm
in length, and weighing in at 500g, it’s rather
smaller and lighter than either equivalent
DSLR optics, or Leica’s L-mount 16-35mm
F3.5-4.5. It’s due in shops at the end of
December for £1,499.
Meanwhile the 70-200mm f/2.8 is a
large-aperture telezoom that incorporatesVisit amateurphotographersubs.co.uk/AKZ9, or see p48. For the latest newsvisit http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk
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SPECIFICALLY optimised for full-frame mirrorless
cameras, Sigma’s all-new 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN
Art will be available in both Leica L and Sony E mounts.
Promising ‘best-in-class performance’, it uses 19
elements in 15 groups, including a whole array of special
elements and coatings to minimise aberrations. Handy
features include an AF-ON button that’s programmable
from the camera body, AF/MF and zoom lock switches,
and dust- and splash-proof construction. It uses 82mm
fi lters, weighs 830g, and its minimum focus distance
ranges from 18cm to 38cm. Both pricing and availability
are to be confi rmed.Sigma fast zoom
for mirrorless
optical stabilisation to provide a remarkable
7 stops of benefi t, when used in concert with
the in-body stabilisation of Lumix S1-series
cameras. Optically it employs 22 elements in
17 groups, including 2 UED ultra extra-low
dispersion (UED) and 3 ED elements. The
lens is 209mm long, weighs 1,780g with
the removable tripod mount fi tted, and uses
82mm fi lters. It can focus down to 95cm, and
is compatible with 1.4x and 2x teleconverters.
Like the 16-35mm f/4, it also boasts a dust-
and splash-resistant design. It will cost £2,
when it goes on sale in January.The Lumix S Pro
70-200mm f/2.8,
(top) and 16-35mm
f/4 from PanasonicSigma’s new lens is optimised for
full-frame mirrorless cameras