• Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 37.5 megapixels
  • ISO 80 - 1250
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 30.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Leica S2 advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

  • 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 30.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Leica S2

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Newer
    8 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    890g vs 1410g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1620k 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark IV

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.

  • JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Leica S2
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • External Mic Jack
Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D810

Leica S2
Nikon D810
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Internal flash
Canon 5D Mark IV
Nikon D810
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

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
Canon 5D Mark IV
Pentax 645D
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Leica S2
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • More dots on screen
Canon 5D Mark IV
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Leica S2
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
Canon 5D Mark IV
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification
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