Nikon D4S vs Leica SL2-S

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D4S vs Leica SL2-S

Leave Feedback

35mm 860.4mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D4S Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D4S in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D4S.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D4S conclusion.

35mm 864.0mm²
24.6 megapixels
ISO 50 - 100,000

Go in depth with our full Leica SL2-S Review.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5
Compare D4S vs D5
Compare Nikon D5 vs Leica SL2-S

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Leica SL2-S

Bigger pixels
~ 7.31 vs 5.93 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 100000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica SL2-S advantages over Nikon D4S

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Newer
4 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
931g vs 1356g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
2100k vs 922k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
24.6 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
500 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
25.0 fps vs 10.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 200 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
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 panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D4S User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2-S User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D4S

Body Only

All D4S Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica SL2-S

Review Excerpt

Excellent, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool
Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)
Read our Nikon D4S Review

We haven’t reviewed the Leica SL2-S.
Read our Leica SL2-S Preview

The Competition

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S

Canon 1DX

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon 1DX

Leica SL2-S

Canon 1DX

$4895
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$5299
35mm

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Leica SL2-S vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S

Nikon D4

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Higher extended ISO

$4500
35mm

Bigger JPEG buffer
Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D4S vs Nikon D4

Leica SL2-S

Nikon D4

$4895
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$4500
35mm

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Leica SL2-S vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S

Canon EOS-1D C

$5399
35mm

Higher extended ISO

$6989
35mm

Shoot 4K video
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon EOS-1D C

Leica SL2-S

Canon EOS-1D C

$4895
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$6989
35mm

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Leica SL2-S vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Canon R6

Nikon D4S

Canon R6

$5399
35mm

Top deck display
Higher extended ISO

$2149
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon R6

Leica SL2-S

Canon R6

$4895
35mm

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$2149
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Leica SL2-S vs Canon R6

Compared to Canon R3

Nikon D4S

Canon R3

$5399
35mm

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$5999
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon R3

Leica SL2-S

Canon R3

$4895
35mm

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

$5999
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Leica SL2-S vs Canon R3

Compare Other Cameras?