• Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 37.5 megapixels
  • ISO 80 - 1250
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 12,800

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Differences

Leica S2 advantages over Nikon D810

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.08x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder

Nikon D810 advantages over Leica S2

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    10 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
    988g vs 1410g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1229k 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
    51 vs 1
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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 Nikon D810
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 24-120mm lens
All D810 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Handles even better than its predecessors; Absolutely spectacular images from the 36-megapixel image sensor; Unusually wide sensitivity range for its resolution; Improved performance and buffer depths; Improved video feature set; Impressive low-light autofocus

  • Prone to moire and false color with some subjects; No longer available with a low-pass filter; Demands excellent lenses for the best detail; White balance tends warm under tungsten lighting

  • Read our Nikon D810 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Leica S2
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Leica S2 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D810
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D810 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

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 D810
Pentax 645D
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D810 vs Pentax 645D

Compared to Nikon D800E

Leica S2
Nikon D800E
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica S2 vs Nikon D800E

Nikon D810
Nikon D800E
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup

Compare Nikon D810 vs Nikon D800E

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 D810
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D810 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 D810
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Internal flash
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D810 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

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