Leica SL Type 601

The Leica SL Typ 601 In 2025! Or Just Get A Sony Instead?!

Good morning you awesome war torn WordPress camera geeks! Keeping you guys in the loop, as promised. With the sheer amount of gear that I’ve reviewed here over the years, it would be easy to think that I’ve had this camera for a while but no…

Today’s Camera Legend is the Leica SL Typ 601. It is a 24mp Full Frame digital mirrorless camera introduced by Leica in 2015.

With the Leica SL Typ 601 at Photo Plus Expo 2015. Also seen is the big beefy Leica 28-90mm lens.

I first got to play with the SL at the Photo Plus Expo show in NYC in 2015. At the time, I thought it was another cool, overpriced Leica toy. I assumed it had the same 24mp Sony sensor as the then current Sony A7. As it turns out, it’s a different sensor as my video points out.

Leica SL Typ 601 & Mystery Lens ❤️ To be revealed in future episodes!

This is a camera I didn’t expect to get, but as I explain in my video, the best cameras come to me when least expected.

To prevent it from being extraneous or superfluous, it is replacing my Sony A7R as my platform for adapting all my old manual lenses. I only have one AF lens for it. It’s a Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN. Photo samples below. It was one of the cheaper lenses I could get. The native Leica SL lenses are very expensive and I have no money left 😂

Anyway, this is a very cool and interesting camera that I look forward to trying it out! Bear in mind folks, I’m keeping it real. While the SL is fantastic, there’s no reason to think a ten year old camera is any better than your modern equivalent. Just saying! Have a great weekend and thanks guys! 😍❤️👍

The New Leica SL (Typ 601) System

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The newly announced Leica SL (Typ 601). A 24mp, full-frame, mirrorless monster from Leica!

There’s a new Big Daddy in town! Leica has announced its 24mp, mirrorless, full-frame camera system and from the pics I have seen, it’s a MONSTER!! It’s called the SL (Typ 601). Leave it to Leica to give it one of these funky “Typ” names, sounds so serious 🙂

It looks like a Sony A7 series on steroids. Seriously, it looks like a beautiful monstrosity, just in time for Halloween 🙂

I’m hoping to see this thing in the flesh this weekend at the Photo Plus show in NYC. I will report back if I do see it in the flesh so stay tuned.

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The original 35mm Leica SL. Perhaps the best film SLR made by Leica. Image from 2008, CPG Productions.

The Leicaflex SL was introduced in 1968. While Leica 35mm SLR’s didn’t exactly set the world on fire the way their M series did, I do consider the SL one of the finest 35mm cameras of its time. Dials, knobs, a glorious viewfinder and pure manual focus goodness and unlike many of the R series cameras, the SL was actually designed and made by Leica.

I can’t foretell whether the new digital SL (Typ 601) will have the timeless appeal of the original SL, but I have no doubt it’s going to be an imaging giant!

Meanwhile, if you’ve got serious cash to spend, you can pre-order the Leica SL HERE and the matching Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH HERE. It’s slated to be released for sale November 20, 2015.

Despite its price tag, I’m sure this camera will SELL OUT almost right away, so if you got the cash, I don’t have to tell you…Don’t hesitate because that SL won’t wait! 🙂

This is going to be an awesome combo, no doubt, but it’s going to be WAY beyond my reach and wallet. I like cheap and this ain’t cheap…but I like it!

But I’ll tell you one thing…If you get this, YOU my friend will definitely be a CAMERA LEGEND!! 🙂

Here are the official specs and a pdf brochure on the SL (Typ 601) from Leica.

Technical Data – Leica SL (Typ 601) & SL 24-90

Memo 2016-33 Leica SL (Typ 601)