Leica SL3 vs Sigma BF
The bottom line
There's a real price gap here: the Sigma BF at $1,999 versus the Leica SL3 at $6,995. The extra buys you 8K video, 60.3MP of resolution and in-body stabilisation. The question is whether those advantages are ones you'll use often enough to justify the premium — if not, the cheaper body is the smart buy.
Choose the Leica SL3 if…
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings 8K capture (up to 30p) and both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio.
- ✓You want maximum detail for landscapes, studio or large prints — 60.3MP resolves noticeably more than 24.6MP and gives more cropping latitude.
- ✓You photograph moving subjects — it adds AF subject detection for animals that the other body lacks.
- ✓You shoot handheld — in-body stabilisation lets you use slower shutter speeds and steadies video, which the other body can't do without a stabilised lens.
Choose the Sigma BF if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 8fps burst and 1,215 phase-detect points keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 5fps would drop frames.
- ✓You're budget-conscious — it launched at $1,999, about $4,996 less, freeing money for lenses.
- ✓You value portability — at 446g (15.7 oz) it's noticeably lighter than the 769g (1.70 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Where they differ
- ›Video: the Leica SL3 is the stronger video tool — 8K, 4K up to 60p and 10-bit internal.
- ›Price: the Sigma BF launched at $1,999, $4,996 under the Leica SL3 — money that could go toward glass.
- ›Resolution: 60.3MP on the Leica SL3 vs 24.6MP — more detail and crop room, at the cost of larger files.
- ›Stabilisation: only the Leica SL3 has in-body IS — slower handheld shutter speeds and steadier video without relying on stabilised lenses.
- ›Weight: the Sigma BF is 446g (15.7 oz) vs 769g (1.70 lb) — 323g you'll feel on a long day out.
- ›Burst: the Sigma BF shoots 8fps to the Leica SL3's 5fps — the gap that decides whether you nail the peak moment in sports and wildlife.
Frequently asked
Is the Leica SL3 or the Sigma BF better?
There's a real price gap here: the Sigma BF at $1,999 versus the Leica SL3 at $6,995. The extra buys you 8K video, 60.3MP of resolution and in-body stabilisation. The question is whether those advantages are ones you'll use often enough to justify the premium — if not, the cheaper body is the smart buy.
Who should choose the Leica SL3?
Choose the Leica SL3 if you shoot video seriously — it brings 8K capture (up to 30p) and both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio. Choose it if you want maximum detail for landscapes, studio or large prints — 60.3MP resolves noticeably more than 24.6MP and gives more cropping latitude. Choose it if you photograph moving subjects — it adds AF subject detection for animals that the other body lacks. Choose it if you shoot handheld — in-body stabilisation lets you use slower shutter speeds and steadies video, which the other body can't do without a stabilised lens.
Who should choose the Sigma BF?
Choose the Sigma BF if you shoot action, sports or wildlife — 8fps burst and 1,215 phase-detect points keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 5fps would drop frames. Choose it if you're budget-conscious — it launched at $1,999, about $4,996 less, freeing money for lenses. Choose it if you value portability — at 446g (15.7 oz) it's noticeably lighter than the 769g (1.70 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
What is the main difference between the Leica SL3 and the Sigma BF?
Video: the Leica SL3 is the stronger video tool — 8K, 4K up to 60p and 10-bit internal.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Sensor Size | Full-Frame | Full-Frame |
| Image Processor | Maestro IV | − |
| Effective Resolution | 60.3 MP | 24.6 MP |
| Lens Mount | Leica L | Leica L |
| Exposure Control | ||
| ISO Range (Native) | 50 – 100000 | 100 – 102400 |
| ISO Range (Extended) | − | − |
| Mechanical Shutter | 1/8000 | − |
| Electronic Shutter | 1/16000 | 1/25600 |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | − |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| Continuous Shooting | 5 fps | 8 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| Max Resolution | 8K | 6K |
| 8K Recording | Up to 30p | − |
| 4K Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 30p |
| 1080p Recording | Up to 180p | Up to 120p |
| 10-bit Internal | Yes | Yes |
| Recording Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Log Profiles | L-Log / HLG / Rec.709 | Sigma Log |
| Built-in Mic | Stereo | Mono |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | No |
| Mic Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Output | Full-size (Type A) | − |
| Focus | ||
| Phase Detect Points | 779 | 1,215 |
| Contrast Detect Points | − | − |
| Low Light AF | -5 EV | − |
| Eye AF | Yes | Yes |
| Animal AF | Yes | No |
| Vehicle AF | No | No |
| Viewfinder | ||
| EVF Type | OLED | − |
| EVF Resolution | 5.76M dots | − |
| EVF Magnification | 0.78x | − |
| Monitor | ||
| LCD Size | 3.2" | 3.2" |
| LCD Resolution | 2.30M dots | 2.10M dots |
| LCD Type | Tilting | Fixed |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | v5.0 | − |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C |
| Memory Card Slots | 1x CFexpress Type B + 1x SD UHS-II | None (230GB internal storage) |
| GPS | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $6,995 | $1,999 |
| Body Material | Aluminum / Magnesium | Aluminum (unibody) |
| Dimensions | 141.2×108×84.6 mm | 130.1×72.8×36.8 mm |
| Weight | 769g (1.70 lb) | 446g (15.7 oz) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| In-Body Stabilization | Yes | No |
| Battery Life (EVF) | 260 shots | − |
| Battery Life (LCD) | 260 shots | 260 shots |
| Battery Type | BP-SCL6 | BP-81 |
