While Leica cameras are highly regarded by photographers around the world, some models are really good for videos. Here’s the best Leica cameras for videos you can get.
Introduction
If you are looking at Leicas for shooting videos, there aren’t too many choices. That is by design, Leica is primarily a photographer’s camera company. That is why their main line of M cameras has only ever flirted with the possibility of shooting videos.
That doesn’t mean that the available choices are anything to sniff at however, as we will see in the list of the best Leica cameras for video.
List of the best Leica cameras for video
Below is the list of the best Leica cameras for videography. Afterwards we will look at each camera in detail with sample videos as a preview of what they can do.
| Name | Max Rez | Stabilization | Mic jack | Get it here: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Leica SL2 | 5K | YES | YES | Check Price |
| 2. Leica D-lux 7 | 4K | YES | NO | Check Price |
| 3. Leica Q2 | 4K | YES | NO | Check Price |
| 4. Leica TL2 | 4K | YES | NO | Check Price |
| 5. Leica CL | 4K | NO | NO | Check Price |
Let’s now look at each camera and what makes them deserving of a spot on this list of the best Leica cameras for videos
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ The top of the line ✔️ Full frame ✔️ Amazing IQ ✔️ 5 Axis stabilization ✔️ Mic jack | 🛑 Most expensive on this list |
If you are serious about videos, this is pretty much the only choice as the best Leica camera for videography. Why? Because it’s designed for video in mind. But before getting into details, two things you must know is that this has one of the best grips in a camera ever.
Having a steady grip is key to having a steady shot and that grip is really something! The other thing is, this has a very high resolution viewfinder so you always have an idea of what is in focus. If you’ve ever shot with a viewfinder only to find out that you’ve been slightly out of focus all this time, you know what I mean.
In any case, this baby has dual SD card slots for backup on the fly, and more importantly can shoot 5K video, making it pretty much future proof. There was a recording limit before of 30 minutes but with the latest firmware you can shoot hours and hours of footage without issues.
Besides the resolution this has an external microphone jack if you don’t want to record the sound separately and has top of the line, sensor shift stabilization on 5 axis. It’s silky smooth that it looks like a steadycam when it’s turned on.
This uses SL lenses that are some of Leica’s sharpest. Sometimes you forget that this is just a full frame camera, the videos look from an even larger sensor. You are not limited by Leica SL lenses either, under the L mount umbrella both Panasonic and Sigma produce lenses for this mount and you can also add an M mount adapter to shoot those M lenses.
Lastly this is one of the most rugged cameras out there in terms of weather sealing (IP54), so it’s a must if you shoot in rough conditions. If you are looking for THE best Leica camera for video, this is it. Every other one on this list will have a compromise for video, except this one.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Amazingly versatile ✔️ Compact yet powerful ✔️ 4k capable ✔️ Fast and versatile zoom lens ✔️ Price | 🛑 Partnership camera 🛑 No mic jack |
This is one of those partnership cameras where Panasonic makes their version and Leica makes their version. Hopefully you are not a purist and this doesn’t matter because this is one STEAL of a camera and well deserving of its spot on this list of the best Leica cameras for video.
It’s one of the smallest Leicas you can get in general, let alone that can shoot 4k video. The sensor size is about 4/3 size (smaller than APSC) but it can still Bokeh very well at longer focal lengths. Probably the star of the show here is the lens. It can go from 24mm to 75mm making it a pretty versatile do-everything lens. But it can also maintain an fast f2.8 aperture at the telephoto end (f1.7 at 24mm), extremely impressive for such a small body.
Even more impressive is the fact that this compact, fast lens camera can shoot 4k video, all stabilized. It’s only optical stabilization but sometimes you forget, that’s how smooth it is when you start walking.
The potential downside to this is the fact that there is no external mic jack. But this is a small price to pay, literally because this is one of the most affordable Leicas there is, and it’ extremely capable in terms of video and photo.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Full frame ✔️ Sharp lens ✔️ Stabilized ✔️ 4k capable | 🛑 Fixed lens 🛑 No mic jack |
If you are looking at the list of best Leica cameras for video and want full frame your choices are pretty much the SL2 or this, the Leica Q2. The best way to look at it is a killer photography camera that also has great video capabilities.
Why? Because there’s a few limitations when it comes to video. There is no external microphone jack and the stabilization is optical only. The lens is fixed at 28mm so this is for you if you like wide angles.
Despite these limitations you have a portable, full frame Leica with a fast f1.7 lens with stunning macro mode. Yes the Bokeh is incredible and it’s capable of shooting up to 4k, combine that with a sharp lens and great Maestro processing engine and you have a really powerful camera in your hands that shoots impressive videos.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Large APSC sensor ✔️ Best-in-class stabilization ✔️ Unibody design ✔️ Minimalistic approach | 🛑 No mic jack 🛑 No viewfinder |
The Leica TL2 is one of the cheapest Leicas you can get that shoots videos, if you do not count the D-lux 7 partnership camera. This is one heck of a sexy beast made from a single slab of metal.
It’s extremely minimal and is basically a screen with a large APSC sensor and two dials on top.
This can take the same lenses as the SL (or it’s native TL lenses) but there is a crop factor. Of course is nowhere near the SL2 in terms of video prowess because of the sensor size but since the lenses are sharp, it really impresses, especially given how small and slim it is.
It shoots 4k but surprisingly for the size, it has the same sensor shift 5 axis stabilization that the SL2 has (the first choice). So it’s pretty much a bit like having a Steadicam built in.
It is not all roses however as this camera lacks a microphone jack so you will have to rely on an external recorder. There is also no viewfinder, unlike all of the others in this list of the best Leica cameras for video.
You can always get the external viewfinder, which can tilt 90 degrees so that you can shoot like you would a twin lens reflex.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Classic looks ✔️ Great IQ ✔️ Viewfinder ✔️ APSC sensor ✔️ 4k capable | 🛑 NO Stabilization 🛑 No mic jack |
The last pick as the best Leica cameras for video is the Leica CL, not to be confused with the film camera of the same name. The Leica CL is nothing short of the best deal you can get in terms of Leica cameras (that is not a partner camera with Panasonic). The Leica CL is like a mini M camera that is fully automatic ASPC shooter and uses the L mount, some of Leica’s sharpest lenses.
If that sounds like the previous TL2 camera it’s because it’s pretty much it’s cousin, the TL2 takes a modern approach while this is more classic. They both shoot the same TL mount (L mounts designed for APSC sensors).
Even tough in can shoot 4k video there is no microphone jack but more importantly no stabilization like the TL2.
So if you do not mind stabilizing in software, the image quality is top notch because of the mix of Maestro processor and sharp lenses. While still premium priced, this camera usually comes with a sharp 28mm f2.8 as a kit that can shoot great wide angle videos.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this article about the best Leica cameras for video. Without a doubt the best one for videographers is the Leica SL2 with 5k, 5 axis stabilization, mic jack, great viewfinder, there’s nothing left out. For those on a budget then the Leica D-lux 7 with its fast lens and 4k capabilities. If you really want full frame then the Q2 fits the bill but it is a fixed 28mm f2.8 lens.
The Leica TL2 has the same stabilization as the SL2 on an APSC sensor but lacks the viewfinder and mic jack. If you primarily shoot photography but sometimes need the video, the CL is like a Mini M camera that can shoot 4k but lacks mic jack and stabilization. Happy shooting!