Leica SL3 User manual

LEICA SL3
Instruction manual
SL3/EN/2024/03/1.0/1
FUTURE FIRMWARE UPDATES
You will find an overview of planned future
add-ons and/or improvements for your camera in
the appendix of this instruction manual.
https://leica-camera.com/en-int/downloads

FOREWORD
2
FOREWORD
Dear Customer,
We wish you a great deal of fun and success taking photographs
with your new Leica SL3. Please read this manual thoroughly to
familiarize yourself with the full scope of functions your camera has
to offer. You can find all information about the Leica SL3 whenever
you need it at https://leica-camera.com.
Your Leica Camera AG
SCOPE OF DELIVERY
Before using your camera for the first time, please check that the
accessories supplied are complete.
– Leica SL3
– Lithium-ion rechargeable battery Leica BP-SCL6
– USB-C cable
– Camera bayonet cover
– Carry strap
– Quick Start Guide
– CE flyer
– Flyer (Leica account)
– Test certificate
Subject to changes in design and model features.
FOREWORD / SCOPE OF DELIVERY

REPLACEMENT PARTS / ACCESSORIES 3
REPLACEMENT PARTS / ACCESSORIES
Please contact Leica Customer Care or visit the Leica Camera AG
website for information on the extensive range of Leica replacement
parts/accessories:
https://leica-camera.com/en-US/photography/accessories
Only the accessories specified and described in this manual or
by Leica Camera AG must be used with the camera (battery,
charger, mains plug, mains cable, etc.). These accessories must
only be used with this product. Third-party accessories may
result in malfunctions or damage to the product.
Please read the chapters “Legal information”, “Safety remarks”,
and “General information” before using your camera for the
first time. Knowledge of the content will prevent inadvertent
damage to the product, possible injuries and other risks.

LEGAL INFORMATION
4
LEGAL INFORMATION
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
• Compliance with copyright laws is mandatory. The recording
and publication of pre-recorded media like tapes, CDs, or other
published or broadcast material may breach copyright laws. The
same applies for all software supplied as part of the scope of
delivery.
• The following applies for all video material created with this cam-
era: This product is governed by the AVC Patent Portfolio license
and is meant for private use by a consumer only. The device
may furthermore be used for purposes for which the consumer
receives no remuneration, e.g. (i) encoding in accordance with
the AVC Standard (“AVC Video”) and/or (ii) decoding of AVC
Video that was encoded by a consumer in accordance with the
AVC Standard within the scope of personal use and/or which the
consumer has received from the provider, who is in possession
of a license to offer AVC Video. No license is granted or implied
for any other use. Any other use, specifically the provision of AVC
video in exchange for remuneration, may require a separate li-
cense agreement with MPEG LA, L.L.C. Please visit the MPEG LA,
L.L.C. website at: www.mpegla.com for more information.
• The designations SD, SDHC, SDXC, microSDHC and their associ-
ated logos are registered trademarks of SD-3C, LLC.
LEGAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MANUAL
COPYRIGHT
All rights reserved.
All text, images and graphics are subject to copyright and other
laws to protect intellectual property. They must not be copied, mod-
ified or used for any purpose including trade purposes.
TECHNICAL DATA
Product changes with regards to the products or services may oc-
cur after the editorial deadline. The manufacturer reserves the right
to effect structural or shape changes, color deviations and changes
to the scope of delivery or service, where these changes or devia-
tions are reasonably acceptable for the customer, while taking into
consideration the interests of Leica Camera AG. To that extent, Lei-
ca Camera AG reserves the right to changes and errors. The images
in this manual may depict accessory, special features or other items
that are not part of the standard scope of delivery or service. Some
pages may contain model types and services, which are not offered
in specific countries.

LEGAL INFORMATION 5
BRANDS AND LOGOS
The brand names and logos used in this document are protected
trademarks. These brands or logos must not be used without prior
approval by Leica Camera AG.
LICENSE RIGHTS
Leica Camera AG intends to provide you with innovative and
informative documentation. Due to the amount of creativity that
has gone into its design, we ask for your understanding that Leica
Camera AG must protect its intellectual property, including patents,
trademarks and copyrights, and that possession of the documenta-
tion does not infer any licensing rights of the intellectual property of
Leica Camera AG.
REGULATORY INFORMATION
You will find the manufacturing date of your camera on the stickers
in the Warranty Card and/or on the packaging.
The date format is year/month/day.
COUNTRY-SPECIFIC LICENSES
Specific regional approvals for this device can be found in the cam-
era menu.
▸ Select Camera Information in the main menu
▸ Select Regulatory Information
LICENSE INFORMATION
The device-specific license information can be found in the camera
menu.
▸ Select Camera Information in the main menu
▸ Select License Information

LEGAL INFORMATION
6
CE MARK
The CE mark on our products documents compliance with the fun-
damental requirements of applicable EU guidelines.
Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
“Leica Camera AG” hereby declares that this product is in compliance with the basic
requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 2014/53/EU.
Customers can download a copy of the original DoC for our Radio Equipment
products from our DoC server:
www.cert.leica-camera.com
Please contact Leica Camera AG, Am Leitz-Park 5, 35578 Wetzlar, Germany in case
of any further questions
Usable frequency band/Usage limitations:
see Technical Data
Maximum output (e.i.r.p.): WLAN: <20dBm / Bluetooth: <10dBm
DISPOSAL OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC
EQUIPMENT
(Applies within the EU and for other European countries
with active waste separation policies.)
This device contains electrical and/or electronic components which
must not be disposed of in general household waste. Instead, it
should be disposed of at a recycling collection point provided by
your local authority.
This service is free of charge. Any standard or rechargeable batter-
ies used in this device must be removed and disposed of separately
in accordance with local regulations.
Please contact your local authorities, waste disposal collection
point or the retailer, from whom you purchased the device for more
information on correct waste disposal.

LEGAL INFORMATION 7
IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE USE OF
WLAN/BLUETOOTH®
• Appropriate measures must be taken to ensure security and pro-
tect against disruptions to the systems in place where devices or
computer systems are in use that require more stringent security
than WLAN devices.
• Leica Camera AG shall not accept liability for damages arising
from the use of the camera for purposes other than as a WLAN
device.
• It is assumed that the WLAN function will be used in countries
where this camera is sold. There may be a risk of breaching stat-
utory wireless communication regulations when using the camera
in other countries. Leica Camera AG shall not accept liability for
such breaches.
• Please note that there is a risk of unauthorized third party inter-
ception of wirelessly communicated data. We highly recommend
that you activate encryption in the wireless access point settings
to ensure data safety.
• Avoid using the camera in areas where it can be exposed to mag-
netic fields, static electricity or other interferences, e.g. near a
microwave oven. RF transmissions may otherwise not reach the
camera.
• Using the camera near devices like microwave ovens or wireless
phones that use the 2.4 GHz RF band may negatively affect the
performance of both devices.
• Do not attempt to connect to wireless networks you are not au-
thorized to use.
• The device will automatically search for wireless networks, once
the WLAN function is enabled. A list, including networks you are
not authorized to access, will be displayed (SSID: Network identi-
fier for a WLAN network). Do not attempt to connect to third par-
ty network, as this could be construed as unauthorized access.
• We recommend disabling the WLAN function while on an aircraft.
• The use of the WLAN-RF band between 5150 MHz and 5350MHz
is permitted only in enclosed spaces.
• Please read the important notes on specific functions of Leica
FOTOS on p. 294.

SAFETY REMARKS
8
SAFETY REMARKS
GENERAL INFORMATION
• Do not use your camera in the immediate vicinity of devices that
generate powerful magnetic, electrostatic or electromagnetic
fields (e.g. induction ovens, microwave ovens, television sets or
computer screens, video game consoles, cell phones, broadcast-
ing equipment). Their electromagnetic fields can interfere with
image capturing.
• Strong magnetic fields, e.g. from speakers or large electric mo-
tors can damage the stored data or disrupt shooting.
• Switch off the camera, remove the battery briefly, replace it and
switch the camera back on in case of a camera malfunction due
to the effects of electromagnetic fields.
• Do not use the camera in the immediate vicinity of radio trans-
mitters or high-voltage power lines. Their electromagnetic fields
may also interfere with image capturing.
• Always store small parts e.g. the accessory shoe cover as fol-
lows:
– out of the reach of children
– in a safe location, where they will not get lost or stolen
• State-of-the-art electronic components are sensitive to static
discharge. You can easily pick up charges of several 10,000 volts
by simply walking on synthetic floor coverings. A static discharge
can occur when you touch the camera and especially if it is
placed on a conductive surface. A static discharge on the camera
housing poses no risk for the electronics. Despite built-in safety
circuits, you should avoid direct contact with external camera
contacts like those in the flash shoe.
• Take care not to soil or scratch the sensor for lens detection in
the bayonet. You must similarly prevent direct contact of the bay-
onet with grains of sand or similar particles, as these could cause
irreparable damage. This component must only be cleaned with a
dry cloth (in system cameras).
• Use a cotton or linen cloth instead of a microfiber cloth from an
optician's (synthetic) when cleaning the contacts. Make sure
to discharge any electrostatic charge by deliberately touching
a heating or water pipe (conductive, grounded material). Dirt
deposits and oxidation on the contacts can be avoided by storing
your camera in a dry location with the lens cap and the flash
shoe/viewfinder cap (in system cameras) attached.
• Only use accessories specified for this model to prevent faults,
short circuits or electric shock.
• Do not attempt to remove parts of the housing (covers) yourself.
Repairs must be done at authorized service centers only.
• Protect the camera against contact with insect sprays and other
aggressive chemicals. Petroleum spirit, thinner and alcohol must
not be used for cleaning. Some chemicals and liquids can dam-
age the camera housing or the surface finish.
• Rubber and plastics are known to expel aggressive chemicals
and should therefore not be kept in contact with the camera for
extended periods of time.
• Prevent any sand or dust or water penetration into the camera,
e.g. during snowfall or rain or on the beach. Be extra careful
when changing the lens (in system cameras) and when inserting
or removing the memory card and rechargeable battery. Sand
and dust can damage the camera, the lens, the memory card and
the battery. Moisture can cause malfunctions and irreparable
damage to the camera and memory card.

SAFETY REMARKS 9
LENS
• A camera lens can have the effect of a magnifying glass when
exposed to direct frontal sunlight. The camera must therefore be
protected against extended exposure to direct sunlight.
• Attaching the lens cap and keeping the camera in the shade or
ideally in its camera case, will help prevent damage to the interior
of the camera.
RECHARGEABLE BATTERY
• Improper use of the batteries or the use of unapproved battery
types may result in an explosion!
• Do not expose the rechargeable battery to sunlight, heat, humid-
ity or moisture for prolonged periods of time. Likewise, the bat-
teries must not be placed in a microwave oven or a high-pressure
container as this would pose a fire or explosion hazard!
• Do not under any circumstances charge or insert a damp or wet
battery into the camera!
• A safety valve in the battery ensures that any excess pressure
caused by improper handling is discharged safely. It is neverthe-
less important to dispose of a bloated battery immediately. It
may pose an explosion hazard!
• Keep the battery contacts clean and easily accessible. Although
lithium-ion batteries are secured against short circuits, they
should still be protected against contact with metal objects like
paper clips or jewelry. A short-circuited battery can get very hot
and cause severe burns.
• When a battery is accidentally dropped, make sure to check the
housing and the contacts immediately for any damage. A dam-
aged battery can damage the camera.
• The battery must be removed from the camera or charger and
must be replaced immediately in case of a strange smell, discol-
oration, deformation, overheating or leakage. Continued use of
the battery may result in overheating, which can cause fire and/
or explosion!
• Never throw batteries into a fire as they may explode.
• Keep the battery away from sources of heat in case of leakage or
if you smell burning. Leaked fluid can catch fire!
• The use of other chargers not approved by Leica Camera AG can
cause damage to the batteries – and in extreme cases – cause
serious or life-threatening injuries.
• Make sure that the power socket is freely accessible at all times.
• Do not attempt to open the battery or the charger. Repairs must
only be carried out by authorized workshops.
• Keep batteries out of the reach of children. Batteries can cause
suffocation when swallowed.
FIRST AID
• Battery fluid may cause blindness if it comes into contact with
the eyes. Rinse the eyes thoroughly with clean water immedi-
ately. Avoid rubbing. Seek medical attention immediately.
• Leaked battery fluid poses an injury hazard when it comes in
contact with clothing or skin. Rinse the affected areas thor-
oughly with clean water.
CHARGER
• Using the charger in the vicinity of broadcasting receivers may in-
terfere with reception. Ensure a distance of at least 1 m between
the charger and the receiver.
• When the charger is in use, it may emit a buzzing sound – that is
normal and not a malfunction.

GENERAL INFORMATION
10
• Disconnect the charger from the mains when it is not in use, as it
consumes electricity (a very small amount), even if no battery is
inserted.
• Always keep the charger contacts clean, and never short-circuit
them.
MEMORY CARD
• Never remove the memory card during a data save or card read-
ing process. The camera must not be switched off or be subject-
ed to impact or vibrations while working.
• Do not open the cover/remove the memory card or the battery
from the camera while the status LED is lit, which indicates mem-
ory access. Data on the card may otherwise be destroyed and
camera malfunctions may occur.
• Do not drop or bend memory cards as this will cause damage and
result in the loss of stored data.
• Do not touch the connections on the reverse of the memory card
and keep them clean and dry.
• Keep memory cards out of the reach of children. Swallowing a
memory card may cause suffocation.
SENSOR
• Cosmic radiation (e.g. during flights) may cause pixel defects.
CARRY STRAP
• Carry straps are usually made of very robust material. You should
therefore keep it out of the reach of children. A carry strap is not
a toy and poses a strangulation risk.
• Use the carry strap only for its intended purpose on a camera
or on binoculars. Any other use poses the risk of injury and may
possibly result in damage to the carry strap and is therefore not
permitted.
• Carry straps should also not be used for cameras/binoculars
during sports activities that pose a risk of entanglement (e.g.
when mountain climbing and similar outdoor activities).
TRIPOD
• When using a tripod, make sure it is standing securely and turn
the camera only by turning the tripod, not the actual camera.
Ensure that the tripod screw is hand-tightened only. Avoid trans-
porting the camera while the tripod is attached. You might injure
yourself or others and the camera could get damaged.
FLASH
• The use of incompatible flash units with your Leica SL3 may result
in irreparable damage to the camera and/or the flash unit.

SAFETY REMARKS 11

GENERAL INFORMATION
12
GENERAL INFORMATION
Please read the section about “Care/Storage” for more information
about what to do in case of problems.
CAMERA/LENS
(For system cameras)
• Make a note of the serial numbers of your camera (engraved in
the base of the camera housing) and lenses, as this information
will be extremely important in case of loss.
• Make sure to always have a lens or the camera bayonet cover
attached to prevent dust or other foreign bodies penetrating the
camera.
• That is why you should always replace lenses quickly and in a
dust-free environment.
• Never store the camera bayonet cover or the lens back cover in a
pants pocket, as they will attract lint and dust, which could then
be accidentally introduced into the camera.
LCD PANEL
• Condensation may form on the LCD panel if the camera is
exposed to great temperature fluctuations. Wipe the screen care-
fully with a soft, dry cloth.
• The screen image will initially be slightly darker than normal if the
camera is very cold when it is switched on. The normal level of
brightness will be reached as soon as the LCD panel warms up.
RECHARGEABLE BATTERY
• The rechargeable battery must only be charged within a specific
temperature range. See chapter “Technical Data” (p. 332) for
details about operating conditions.
• Lithium-ion batteries can be charged at any time, regardless of
their current charge level. A partially charged battery will charge
to full capacity faster than a fully discharged one.
• The rechargeable batteries come only partly charged ex works
and should therefore be charged fully before their first use.
• A new battery only reaches its full capacity after it has been fully
charged and – by using it in the camera – depleted 2 to 3 times.
This depletion process should be repeated roughly every 25
cycles.
• Battery and charger heat up during the charging process. That is
normal and not a malfunction.
• Rapid flashing of the two LEDs (> 2 Hz) when charging commenc-
es indicates a charging error (e.g. maximum charging time ex-
ceeded, voltages or temperatures outside permitted ranges or a
short circuit). Disconnect the charger from the mains and remove
the battery. Ensure that the above temperature conditions are
met and then restart the charging process. Please contact your
dealer, the Leica representative in your region or Leica Camera
AG if the problem persists.
• Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries generate power by way of
internal chemical reactions. These reactions are influenced by
ambient temperature and humidity. Do not expose the battery
to extreme temperatures (high or low) for extended periods of
time (e.g. in a parked car in the summer or winter) to ensure a
maximum service life.
• However, every battery has its limits – even in optimal conditions!
After several hundred charging cycles, the operating times will
get significantly shorter.

GENERAL INFORMATION 13
• The replaceable battery supplies power to a backup battery,
which is permanently installed in the camera. This backup bat-
tery retains the date and time for some weeks. Once the backup
battery is depleted, it must be replenished by inserting a charged
main battery. The time and date will have to be set again after a
full depletion of both batteries.
• As the battery capacity deteriorates or if using an older battery,
warning messages may appear and some functions may be re-
stricted or blocked entirely.
• Always remove the battery if the camera will not be used for an
extended period of time. Make sure to switch the camera off via
the main switch before removing the battery. Leaving the battery
in the camera will result in a deep discharge after a few weeks.
Voltage levels will decrease significantly, as the camera uses a
low idle current to maintain settings.
• Dispose of damaged batteries in accordance with the relevant
regulations at an approved collection point for proper recycling.
• The date of manufacture can be found on the battery. The date
format is week/year.
MEMORY CARD
• The range of available SD/SDHC/SDXC cards on the market is
too extensive for Leica Camera AG to test for compatibility and
quality. Generally, any type of memory card may be used without
any damage to the camera or memory card. As some “no name”
cards may not fully comply with the SD/SDHC/SDXC standards,
Leica Camera AG cannot provide any guarantee of function.
• We recommend formatting the memory card from time to time,
as fragmented residual data from deleted files may block some of
the storage capacity.
• Generally, it is not necessary to format (initialize) memory cards
that have been previously used. Formatting will, however, be
necessary if you insert an unformatted memory card or a card
that was formatted in another device (e.g. a computer) for the
first time.
• We recommend backing up your data on a PC, because electro-
magnetic fields, static electricity and any damage to the memory
card or camera defects may result in irretrievable damage or loss
of your data.
• SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards come with a write protec-
tion slider to prevent accidental overwriting. This slider is located
on the non-beveled side of the card. All data on the card is pro-
tected when the slider is set to its lower position, marked LOCK.
• All data stored on the memory card will be lost during formatting.
Formatting will not be prevented by a deletion protection set for
individual shots.
CAUTION: HOT MEMORY CARD
As depicted on the inside of the card compartment, the
memory card may be hot directly after use by the cam-
era. Be careful when removing the card! Do not remove
the memory card directly if a high temperature warning
is displayed on screen. Instead, please wait until the
message is no longer displayed before removing the
card.
SENSOR
• Any dust or dirt particles stuck to the glass cover of the sensor
may result in noticeable dark stains or specks on the images (in
system cameras). Alternatively, send your camera to the Leica
Customer Care department for sensor cleaning (see p. 340).
This service is not part of the warranty offering and will therefore
incur charges.

GENERAL INFORMATION
14
DATA
• All data, including personal information, may be changed or de-
leted due to incorrect or accidental operation, static discharge,
accidents, malfunctions, repairs and other measures.
• Please note that Leica Camera AG does NOT accept liability for
direct or consequential damage due to the manipulation or de-
struction of data and personal information.
FIRMWARE UPDATE
Leica is continuously working on the further improvement and opti-
mization of Leica SL3. As digital cameras have many functions that
are controlled electronically, improvements and enhancements to
the functions can be installed on the camera at a later date. Leica
releases so-called firmware updates at irregular intervals. Cameras
are always supplied ex works with the latest firmware installed or
you can download the latest version from our website yourself and
transfer it to your camera.
You will receive a newsletter informing you of the availability of a
new firmware update if you register your camera on the Leica Cam-
era homepage.
Visit the download section or the “Customer Area” for information
about how to register or how to get firmware updates for your Leica
SL3. Additionally, you can find information about changes or addi-
tions to the manual at: https://club.leica-camera.com
Leica releases firmware updates for lenses at irregular intervals.
You can download any new firmware version from our homepage
and transfer it to your lens. Please see p. 289 for more informa-
tion.
Select the menu item Camera Information (see p. 289) to check
whether your camera and lenses are running the latest firmware
version.

WARRANTY TERMS LEICA CAMERA AG 15

WARRANTY TERMS LEICA CAMERA AG
16
WARRANTY TERMS LEICA CAMERA AG
Dear Leica Customer,
congratulations on the purchase of your new Leica product – you
are now the proud owner of a world-class brand product.
In addition to your statutory warranty claims against your seller, we,
Leica Camera AG ("LEICA"), grant you voluntary warranty services
for your Leica product in accordance with the following stipulations
("Leica Warranty"). The Leica warranty therefore does not limit your
statutory rights as a consumer under applicable law or your rights
as a consumer against the dealer with whom you have concluded
the purchase contract.
LEICA WARRANTY
You have purchased a Leica product that has been manufactured
according to special quality guidelines and tested by experienced
specialists during the various stages of production. We provide the
following Leica Warranty, valid as of April 1, 2023, for this Leica
product and including the accessory parts in the original packaging.
Please note that we do not offer any warranty for commercial use.
We offer an extended warranty for some Leica products, provided
you register for a Leica Account. Please visit www.leica-camera.
com for more details.
LEICA WARRANTY SCOPE
During the warranty period, complaints based on manufacturing
and material defects will be remedied free of charge, at LEICA's
discretion, by way of repair, replacement of defective parts, or
exchange for a similar Leica product in perfect condition. Replaced
parts or products become the property of LEICA.
Further claims of any kind and on any legal grounds whatsoever in
connection with this Leica Warranty are excluded.
EXCLUDED FROM THE LEICA WARRANTY
Parts subject to wear and tear (e.g. eyecups, leather coverings,
carry straps, armoring, batteries), and parts under mechanical
stress are excluded from the Leica Warranty, unless the defect was
caused by manufacturing or material defects. That also applies to
any exterior damage.
VOIDED CLAIMS UNDER LEICA WARRANTY
Claims under the warranty are void if the defect in question is due
to improper handling; they may also be void if e.g. third-party ac-
cessories have been used, the Leica product has not been opened
professionally or has not been repaired professionally. Claims for
warranty services shall similarly be void if the serial number is un-
recognizable.
CLAIMS UNDER THE LEICA WARRANTY
We require a copy of the proof of purchase of your Leica product
from a LEICA-authorized dealer (“Authorized Leica Dealer") before
we can accept any claim under the warranty. The purchase receipt
must show the date of purchase, the Leica product with its article
number and serial number, and details about the Authorized Leica
Dealer. We reserve the right to request the original receipt. Alter-
natively, you may send us a copy of the warranty card; please note
that the Warranty Card must be filled out correctly, and the product
must have been purchased from an Authorized Leica Dealer.
Please send your Leica product with a copy of your purchase re-
ceipt or the Warranty Card alongside a description of the issue.
Leica Camera AG, Customer Care, Am Leitz-Park 5, 35578 Wetzlar,
Germany
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
or to an Authorized Leica Dealer.

WARRANTY TERMS LEICA CAMERA AG 17
Leica Product Image Warranty Term
all products 2 years
Leica SL3 comes with splash water and dust protection.
The camera was tested under controlled laboratory conditions
and is classed as IP54 in accordance with DIN EN 60529. Please
note: The splash water and dust protection coating is not per-
manent and will diminish over time. Please read the section on
“Care/Storage” for detailed instructions on how to clean and
dry the camera. The warranty does not cover liquid damage. Any
attempt to open the camera casing by an unauthorized retailer or
service partner will cause an immediate expiration of the splash
water and dust warranty.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
18
CAMERA OPERATION ..........................................................................54
CONTROL ELEMENTS ...................................................................................... 54
MAIN SWITCH ..........................................................................................................54
MAIN SWITCH LED...................................................................................................55
SHUTTER BUTTON...................................................................................................56
LEFT DIAL .................................................................................................................57
RIGHT DIAL...............................................................................................................57
THUMBWHEEL .........................................................................................................58
JOYSTICK ..................................................................................................................58
PLAY BUTTON/MENU BUTTON..............................................................................59
FUNCTION BUTTONS ..............................................................................................60
LCD PANEL (TOUCH SCREEN) ................................................................................ 61
TOP DISPLAY............................................................................................................62
MENU CONTROL................................................................................................62
CONTROL ELEMENTS..............................................................................................62
MENU SECTIONS .....................................................................................................63
SETTINGS IN PHOTO AND VIDEO MODE ....................................................................... 64
SWITCHING MENU SECTIONS ........................................................................................65
CONTROL CENTER.............................................................................................66
CUSTOMIZING THE CONTROL CENTER.................................................................66
MAIN MENU .............................................................................................................68
MENU NAVIGATION.................................................................................................69
SUBMENU ................................................................................................................ 71
KEYBOARD/NUMBER PAD..............................................................................................71
MENU BAR.......................................................................................................................72
SCALE MENU ..................................................................................................................72
DATE/TIME MENU...........................................................................................................73
COMBI MENU (AF PROFILES)..........................................................................................73
COMBI MENU (IMAGE PROPERTIES)...............................................................................74
USER-DEFINED OPERATION ............................................................................76
DIRECT ACCESS TO MENU FUNCTIONS................................................................ 76
CHANGING AN ASSIGNMENT.........................................................................................76
ACCESSING THE ASSIGNED MENU FUNCTION..............................................................76
DIAL ASSIGNMENTS................................................................................................77
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD............................................................................................. 2
SCOPE OF DELIVERY ............................................................................. 2
REPLACEMENT PARTS / ACCESSORIES ............................................. 3
LEGAL INFORMATION............................................................................ 4
SAFETY REMARKS ................................................................................. 8
GENERAL INFORMATION .................................................................... 12
WARRANTY TERMS LEICA CAMERA AG............................................ 16
TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................... 18
PART DESIGNATIONS ..........................................................................26
CONNECTOR BLOCK ........................................................................................28
DISPLAYS ..............................................................................................30
PHOTO.................................................................................................................30
VIDEO/CINE .......................................................................................................32
DISPLAYS IN THE TOP DISPLAY ..................................................................... 34
PREPARATION ......................................................................................36
ATTACHING THE CARRY STRAP .......................................................................36
PREPARING THE CHARGER ..............................................................................36
CHARGING THE BATTERY.................................................................................37
CHARGING VIA USB ................................................................................................38
INSERTING/REMOVING THE BATTERY...........................................................38
INSERTING/REMOVING THE MEMORY CARD .............................................. 40
LENSES ...............................................................................................................42
COMPATIBLE LENSES..............................................................................................42
CHANGING THE LENS .............................................................................................44
DIOPTER SETTINGS...........................................................................................47
MULTIFUNCTION HANDGRIP HG-SCL7 ........................................................ 48

TABLE OF CONTENTS 19
WHEN USING AF LENSES................................................................................................78
WHEN USING MF LENSES.............................................................................................. 79
ROTATION DIRECTION OF THE DIALS....................................................................80
JOYSTICK FUNCTIONS ............................................................................................80
LOCKING THE OPERATING ELEMENTS.................................................................. 81
USER PROFILES ....................................................................................................... 81
CAMERA BASIC SETTINGS..................................................................84
MENU LANGUAGE ............................................................................................ 84
DATE/TIME ........................................................................................................ 84
DISTANCE UNIT .................................................................................................85
POWER SAVE MODE (STANDBY MODE)..........................................................86
LCD PANEL/VIEWFINDER SETTINGS .............................................................86
LCD PANEL/EVF USE ..............................................................................................87
EYE SENSOR SENSITIVITY......................................................................................87
BRIGHTNESS............................................................................................................88
LCD PANEL ......................................................................................................................88
EVF..................................................................................................................................88
COLOR RENDERING.................................................................................................88
LCD PANEL ......................................................................................................................88
EVF..................................................................................................................................88
AUTOMATIC LCD PANEL AND EVF SHUTDOWN...................................................89
EVF FRAME RATE.....................................................................................................89
AUTOMATIC ROTATION OF THE INFO BAR ............................................................89
ACOUSTIC SIGNALS..........................................................................................90
VOLUME ...................................................................................................................90
ACOUSTIC SIGNALS................................................................................................90
ELECTRONIC SHUTTER SOUND .............................................................................90
AUTOFOCUS CONFIRMATION ................................................................................90
SILENT PHOTOGRAPHY ..........................................................................................90
< < < PHOTO MODE > > > .....................................................................92
STILL IMAGE SETTINGS.......................................................................92
SENSOR FORMAT ..............................................................................................92
FILE FORMAT......................................................................................................93
RESOLUTION......................................................................................................94
DNG RESOLUTION...................................................................................................94
JPG RESOLUTION.....................................................................................................95
ASPECT RATIO....................................................................................................96
IMAGE PROPERTIES ..........................................................................................96
FILM STYLE ..............................................................................................................97
COLOR PROFILE..............................................................................................................98
MONOCHROME PROFILE................................................................................................98
CUSTOMIZING PHOTO PROFILES ...................................................................................99
LEICA LOOKS ...........................................................................................................99
AUTOMATIC OPTIMIZATION.......................................................................... 100
NOISE REDUCTION................................................................................................100
NOISE REDUCTION FUNCTION FOR LONG-TERM EXPOSURE.....................................100
NOISE REDUCTION IN JPG IMAGES..............................................................................101
IMAGE STABILIZATION ..........................................................................................101
SETTING THE STABILIZATION DIRECTION....................................................................102
DARK AREA OPTIMIZATION (IDR).........................................................................103
DYNAMIC RANGE..........................................................................................................103
iDR FUNCTION ..............................................................................................................103
DATA MANAGEMENT...................................................................................... 104
STORAGE OPTIONS ...............................................................................................104
FORMATTING A MEMORY CARD ..........................................................................105
DATA STRUCTURE..................................................................................................106
EDIT FILE NAMES...................................................................................................107
CREATING A NEW FOLDER ...................................................................................108
ADDING COPYRIGHT INFORMATION...................................................................108
LOGGING THE SHOOTING LOCATION..................................................................109
DATA TRANSFER .................................................................................................... 110
PRACTICAL DEFAULT SETTINGS...................................................... 112
TOUCH AF.........................................................................................................112
TOUCH AF + SHUTTER BUTTON........................................................................... 113

TABLE OF CONTENTS
20
TOUCH AF IN EVF MODE....................................................................................... 113
PERSONALIZED LENS SETTINGS ..................................................................114
EV INCREMENT................................................................................................114
AUXILIARY DISPLAYS......................................................................................115
INFO PROFILES...................................................................................................... 115
CHANGING THE INFO PROFILES................................................................................... 116
DEACTIVATING INDIVIDUAL INFO PROFILES................................................................ 116
CUSTOMIZING THE INFO PROFILES ............................................................................. 117
SHOW AVAILABLE ................................................................................................. 117
INFO BARS .................................................................................................................... 117
GRID LINES ................................................................................................................... 118
CLIPPING.......................................................................................................................118
FOCUS PEAKING...........................................................................................................119
LEVEL GAUGE ...............................................................................................................120
HISTOGRAM..................................................................................................................121
TEMPORARY ACTIVATION/DEACTIVATION OF INDIVIDUAL FUNCTIONS........122
ENHANCED LIVE VIEW .................................................................................. 122
MF ASSIST FUNCTIONS................................................................................. 123
AF ASSIST LAMP....................................................................................................123
ACOUSTIC AF CONFIRMATION.............................................................................123
PHOTOGRAPHY..................................................................................124
DRIVE MODE ................................................................................................... 124
FOCUSING ....................................................................................................... 125
AF PHOTOGRAPHY ................................................................................................125
AUTOFOCUS MODES.............................................................................................125
INTELLIGENT AF (iAF)....................................................................................................125
AFs (single) ....................................................................................................................125
AFc (continuous) ...........................................................................................................125
AUTOFOCUS METERING METHODS.....................................................................126
MULTI-FIELD METERING...............................................................................................126
SPOT/FIELD METERING................................................................................................126
ZONE .............................................................................................................................127
TRACKING .....................................................................................................................127
PERSON DETECTION (FACE DETECTION).....................................................................128
AF SETTINGS..........................................................................................................129
AF PROFILES .................................................................................................................129
PRE FOCUS ...................................................................................................................131
FOCUS LIMIT..........................................................................................................132
AF QUICK SETTING................................................................................................132
ACCESSING AF QUICK SETTING...................................................................................132
ADJUSTING THE AF FRAME SIZE...................................................................................133
CHANGING THE AF METERING METHOD .....................................................................133
MF ASSIST FUNCTIONS ........................................................................................133
ENLARGEMENT IN AF MODE ........................................................................................133
AF ASSIST LAMP...........................................................................................................134
ACOUSTIC AF CONFIRMATION.....................................................................................134
SHIFTING THE AF FRAME .....................................................................................135
MANUAL FOCUSING (MF).....................................................................................135
MF ASSIST FUNCTIONS ........................................................................................136
FOCUS PEAKING...........................................................................................................136
ENLARGEMENT IN MF MODE........................................................................................136
DISTANCE DISPLAY.......................................................................................................138
USING AUTOFOCUS IN MF MODE ................................................................................139
ISO SENSITIVITY............................................................................................. 139
FIXED ISO VALUES.................................................................................................139
AUTOMATIC SETTING............................................................................................140
LIMITING SETTING RANGES .........................................................................................141
DYNAMIC ISO SETTING.........................................................................................142
FLOATING ISO ................................................................................................. 142
WHITE BALANCE ............................................................................................ 143
AUTOMATIC CONTROL/FIXED SETTINGS ...........................................................143
MANUAL SETTING VIA METERING.......................................................................144
GRAY CARD (PIPETTE) ..................................................................................................144
GRAY CARD ...................................................................................................................145
DIRECT SETTING OF THE COLOR TEMPERATURE...............................................145
EXPOSURE....................................................................................................... 146