Leica SL Firmware v2.0 Announced

Leica Camera today has unleashed a mega-update to the Leica SL (Type 601) camera in the way of firmware v2.0. The list of improvements is extensive, wide-ranging and impressive. You can grab it in the Leica Owner's Area of the site.

Improvements at a glance

  • Adding direct exposure compensation in setup menu, enabling exposure correction via top and rear dials in P, T and A mode
  • Improved TTL/HSS mode (flash)
  • Support for more Leica flash devices improved
  • DNG files can be played back in more details when zoomed in to 100% max (6000×4000)
  • Touch AF is improved, AF will be applied by touch up
  • Longer manual shutter speed added (up to 30 min)
  • Improving time code menu options
  • Improving power saving during long exposure shots and Interval shots
  • Flash exposure compensation is added to favorite list and to customized buttons
  • The list of M and R lenses are editable now (can be switched ON and OFF). The name of the lens will be showing in the menu
  • Adding the video rec button to the customized buttons (when Mode-Lock is On)
  • Improving image quality in JPEG files (extreme yellowish tint in over exposed areas)
  • Adding noise reduction settings menu for JPEG files (low, medium and high)
  • Adding the possibility to change the file name (only first letter)
  • Improving AUTO ISO settings, separating video / photo settings, adding minimum ISO setting
  • Option to display WLAN password during input
  • Adding focus peaking sensitivity by a menu in setup (low and high)
  • Adding Focus peaking icon in LV
  • More letters added to Profile name (max. 10 letters)
  • Improving tracking AF
  • Improving AF for horizontal objects
  • AF Spot behavior optimized. Zooming in and out does not change absolute AF position
  • Adding more AF-steps in setup menu (1 and 5 steps)
  • More UHS-II cards are supported (Toshiba and Lexar second generation)
  • Adding the support of XMP rating for Adobe Software (rated pictures will be shown as rated in Adobe LR and PS)
  • Histogram box is transparent, to avoid covering Live view areas
  • Adding a menu for electronic shutter with 1/16000 sec in CAMERA Menu
  • The AF-frame doesn’t disappear in burst shooting (for low speed and medium speed)
  • Combining the video format and the resolution in one menu
  • Adding 1 point AF in magnified situation (3x and 6x)
  • Renaming of WLAN modes (Host / Client –> Create WLAN / Join WLAN)
  • SD card writing errors solved

Press Release

New firmware update 2.0 improves the performance and handling concept of the Leica SL

Wetzlar, 14 April 2016.The firmware update 2.0 is now available for the mirrorless Leica SL camera system launched in October 2015. Registered camera owners can log in to the Leica Owner’s Area (https://owners.leica-camera.com) and download the new firmware or take advantage of the opportunity to have their camera brought up to date by the free update installation service offered in all Leica Stores.

The numerous new features contained in firmware update 2.0 further improve the performance of the Leica SL and enable a faster photographic workflow. For example, the autofocus function has been revised and optimised. Already impressively fast in combination with SL-Lenses, the currently fastest autofocus available now offers even faster focusing, higher precision and optimised subject tracking. A further improvement increases the number of AF focusing points available for the single point AF setting to 529. Also new is direct exposure compensation controlled by the top dial and the click wheel on the back of the camera in the three automatic exposure modes, P, T and A. The firmware update also extends the range of shutter speeds. As of now, time exposures of up to 30 minutes can be captured automatically without extra aids and, thanks to the fast, electronically controlled aperture of the lenses, exposures can now be made with a highest shutter speed of 1/16000s.

Further improvements have been made with regard to JPG quality, white balance, the video menu, Auto ISO options and the focus peaking function. Images in DNG format can now also be magnified for better evaluation. The camera is also now compatible with all Leica flash units. An update to the app to allow the use of the optimised functions and three noise reduction settings round off the improvements provided by this latest firmware update.