• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 50,000

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Differences

Nikon D3S advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 8.46 vs 6.00 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,253 vs 1,821 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 4200 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 50000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Nikon D3S

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 720p
    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
  • More dynamic range
    13.4 vs 12.0 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    9 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    847g vs 1410g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.6 fps vs 9.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 90 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.5 fps vs 9.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Superb build quality; Amazing EVF; Great image quality from RAW files; Good high ISO performance; Very good dynamic range; Very low shutter lag; Fast AF on stationary objects; Class-leading ~11 fps burst mode; 4K DCI and UHD video; Full HD up to 120p. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS; Dual card slots; Decent battery life for its class.

  • Big for a full-frame mirrorless camera; Very slow buffer clearing; Contrast-detect AF system struggles with moving subjects; In-camera JPEGs are muted and dull; Very limited native lens selection (but supports many other Leica lenses via adapters); Expensive.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Nikon D3S
Nikon D3X
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • More dynamic range
  • External Mic Jack
Leica SL (Typ 601)
Nikon D3X
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D3S
Canon 1DX
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video
Leica SL (Typ 601)
Canon 1DX
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D3S
Nikon D4
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video
Leica SL (Typ 601)
Nikon D4
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Nikon D3S
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • Newer
Leica SL (Typ 601)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm

Compared to Sony A9

Nikon D3S
Sony A9
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Leica SL (Typ 601)
Sony A9
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Built-in GPS
  • Top deck display
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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