p.1 #1Anyone that already had an SL3 SL3-S try the SL3P yet?
Tell me about your comparison story, how is the autofocus compared to the -S or an actual Sony? The influencers seem to say it's getting much closer ... but Leica handed them cameras I want to hear from a real human.
p.1 #2Anyone that already had an SL3 SL3-S try the SL3P yet?
The SL3-P is generally excellent and the best focusing SL camera by some margin. My SL3 is very good after fw 4 but the SL3-P is better again. It's also important to note that the cameras focus system relies heavily on lens choice. Usually the fastest focung lenses are Sigmas latest plus a few of the more modern Leicas. You don't get best in class focus with the SL APO Summicrons for example, but even these are very good now.
Compared to other brands (I have an extensive collection of Sony and Canon cameras and) the closest, to me, is the Canon R5 (mk1). As with the Canon the real limitation is the read speed of the sensor not the AF. It's great for most things except smaller BiF and fast moving sports. Cameras like the R5ii and A1ii obviously are more suited to these and they are another step up again for AF as well. It also compares pretty well to the Sony A7R5, which has the same sensor read limititations, which is generally more important than the small differences in AF speed between the cameras.
If you don't want/need the resolution but want to stay in L mount the excellent Panasonic S1ii might be an option with its fast readout sensor and 24MP sensor. Personally, because I prefer to print big I would rather the resoluton.
If someone is building a dedicated system for wildlife and especially small birds I wouldn't start with the SL3-P but if you want a great camera for general shooting that's also capable of quality shooting for casual wildlife then the SL3-P will please. If you're already in the SL ecosystem the SL3-P is a great step up in AF performance over the other SL cameras.
My dedicated wildlife system is built around 2 x A1ii's and 2x A7R6's. I'm not dropping those for the SL3-P. But as I generally prefer the SL bodies to the Sony's for regular use the SL3-P will liklely get more use and if a wildlife target gets in front of the Leica I'm confident I can get the shots I want.
In sisde by side testing with the 300-600 SIgma (I have it in E and L mount) I found the A1ii to have slightly faster subject aquisition but both it and the SL3-P are pretty sticky once on the target. The Sony has pre-capture, which the Leica doesn't and the lack of EFCS on the SL camera still frustrates me. Also while the extra buttons on the Sony generally are just clutter they're brilliant for wildlife settings (same with the R5ii). I trust the build quality of the Leica way more than the Sony's. I much prefer the menus and UI of the Leica and I don't really feel there's any issues with the available lenses in L mount.
In conclusion for AF there's little to worry about with the SL3-P. It's just if you want to go for a fast read sensor like the A1ii or R5ii and the additional buttons vs clean interface of the Leica.