• Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 37.5 megapixels
  • ISO 80 - 1250
  • 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Leica S2 advantages over Nikon D3S

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.08x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    37.5 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Nikon D3S advantages over Leica S2

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $5200 vs $22995 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 8.46 vs 6.00 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • 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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

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

Nikon D3S
Pentax 645D
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compare Nikon D3S vs Pentax 645D

Compared to Canon 1DX

Leica S2
Canon 1DX
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica S2 vs Canon 1DX

Nikon D3S
Canon 1DX
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D3S vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Leica S2
Nikon D4
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica S2 vs Nikon D4

Nikon D3S
Nikon D4
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Leica S2
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • More dots on screen

Compare Leica S2 vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Nikon D3S
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compare Nikon D3S vs Leica S (Typ 006)

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

Compare Leica S2 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Nikon D3S
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D3S vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

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