• Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 37.5 megapixels
  • ISO 80 - 1250
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Leica S2 advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.08x vs 0.71x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    37.5 vs 22.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Leica S2

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    950g vs 1410g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1044k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    61 vs 1
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 1250 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Leica S2
Leica S2

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Buy the Canon 5D Mark III
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 24-105mm f/4 lens
  • Kit with 24-70mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Superb still and video image quality; Powerful, fast, and accurate AF system with loads of cross-type points, loads of configurability and great frame coverage; Rugged, weather-sealed body with great control layout and user-interface configurability.

  • Dynamic range is limited by noise in deep shadows; Somewhat heavy-handed noise suppression and sharpening at default settings. (Shooting RAW avoids both.); No AF illuminator.

  • Read our Canon 5D Mark III Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Leica S2
Canon 6D
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Leica S2 vs Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 6D
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Canon 6D

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Leica S2
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $2349
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Leica S2 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2349
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Sony A850

Leica S2
Sony A850
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica S2 vs Sony A850

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A850
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony A850

Compared to Pentax 645D

Leica S2
Pentax 645D
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Leica S2 vs Pentax 645D

Canon 5D Mark III
Pentax 645D
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Pentax 645D

Compared to Sony A99

Leica S2
Sony A99
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica S2 vs Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A99
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony A99

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