Nikon D600 vs Leica S3

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Nikon D600 vs Leica S3

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35mm 861.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D600 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D600.

Medium format 1,350.0mm²
64.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica S3 Review.

Succeeded by the Nikon D610
Compare D600 vs D610
Compare Nikon D610 vs Leica S3

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Differences

Nikon D600 advantages over Leica S3

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 4.59 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Higher max flash sync
1/200 vs 1/125 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
More AF points
39 vs 1
More AF points improve autofocus
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.4 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.4 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
14 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Leica S3 advantages over Nikon D600

Less expensive
$19 vs $2700 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
Medium format vs 35mm
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Newer
5 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
1.09x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
64.0 vs 24.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
125 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 28 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
50000 vs 25600 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
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
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 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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Nikon D600

Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica S3

Review Excerpt

Great controls for amateur or pro; Good grip and heft; Impressive low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.
Dust and oil spatter problem; Moire problem with certain subjects; Slower X-sync speed; Slow AF in Live view mode; Aliasing in videos.
Read our Nikon D600 Review

We haven’t reviewed the Leica S3.
Read our Leica S3 Preview

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon D600

Canon 6D

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1499
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D600 vs Canon 6D

Leica S3

Canon 6D

$19
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1499
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Nikon D610

Nikon D600

Nikon D610

$1900
35mm

$1196
35mm

Faster RAW shooting

Compare Nikon D600 vs Nikon D610

Leica S3

Nikon D610

$19
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1196
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica S3 vs Nikon D610

Compared to Nikon D750

Nikon D600

Nikon D750

$1900
35mm

Fast startup

$1698
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D600 vs Nikon D750

Leica S3

Nikon D750

$19
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1698
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica S3 vs Nikon D750

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Nikon D600

Canon 5DS R

$1900
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1499
35mm

More cross-type AF points
More pixels

Compare Nikon D600 vs Canon 5DS R

Leica S3

Canon 5DS R

$19
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1499
35mm

Lens selection
More cross-type AF points

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Pentax K-1

Nikon D600

Pentax K-1

$1900
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1800
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-1

Leica S3

Pentax K-1

$19
Medium format

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1800
35mm

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S3 vs Pentax K-1

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