Panasonic S1R on the Way, so I can Compare Lens Performance on the Leica SL2
Related: Leica, Leica M, Leica SL2, Panasonic, Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R, Panasonic mirrorless
re: Panasonic S1R vs Other Cameras for Landscape — Transition Camera for Zeiss Otus/Zeiss Milvus 'glass'?
re: Panasonic S1R vs Leica SL2: Sensor Cover Glass Thickness vs Performance for Leica M Lenses, L-Mount Lenses
The Leica SL2 vs Panasonic S1R are two cameras of the L-Mount alliance. There is also the 61-megapixel Sigma fp L and Sigma fp.
Thanks to a generous reader, I will have use of a Panasonic S1R for 30 days, along with the Leica SL2. I aim to answer at least these two questions:
- Do Leica M lenses perform the same on the Leica SL2 as on the Panasonic S1R?
- Do Leica SL lenses perform the same on the Leica SL2 as on the Panasonic S1R?
- Is the Leica SL2 multi-shot high-res mode as effective with motion as the Panasonic S1R multi-shot high-res mode “Mode 2” (because Mode 1 is not so nice).
The L-Mount platform is far more attractive if we observe camera/lens interoperability, that is, no loss of optical performance on one versus the other. If not, it’s a marketing ploy—you’re de facto back to independent platforms.
AFAIK, the Panasonic S1R has no support for color shading correction with Leica M lenses (or EXIF support), but I at least hope that the sharpness matches. It might not. But that’s a big strike against the S1R if you plan on shooting M lenses.
And it might prove out that it’s just better or more compatible to use Leica SL lenses on the Leica SL2 only. And given the cost of the lenses, maybe that’s the wisest course anyway.
Still, the Panasonic S1R has a far lower price and IMO a better haptic/button/feature set. Setting aside its lack of M-lens support, it could be an attractive alternative to the Leica SL2 if Leica SL lenses work equally well.
It might also be useful to look at performance of the Leica 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron-R ASPH on the SL2/S1R (it has the same optical design as the M version). Ditto for the Leica 100mm f/2.8 APO-Macro-Elmarit-R ASPH. As time allows.
