• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 37.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600

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Differences

Nikon D5000 advantages over Leica S-E (Typ 006)

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $850 vs $16900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/200 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    588g vs 1260g
    Lighter weight
  • More AF points
    11 vs 1
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 1.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica S-E (Typ 006) advantages over Nikon D5000

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Newer
    10 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.09x vs 0.52x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    37.5 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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 Sony DSLR-A350

Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in GPS
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Nikon D5000
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Top deck display
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $10535
  • Medium format

Compared to Leica S (Typ 007)

Nikon D5000
Leica S (Typ 007)
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
Leica S (Typ 007)
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
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