• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 37.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Nikon D800 advantages over Leica S (Typ 007)

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $3000 vs $24500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 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
    51 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 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica S (Typ 007) advantages over Nikon D800

  • 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.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.09x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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 54 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • 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 D800

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Buy the Leica S (Typ 007)
Body Only (Black)

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Very large files; Slower frame rate; Custom white balance gives a greenish tint; Battery life lower than D700.

  • Read our Nikon D800 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D800 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Leica S (Typ 007)
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D800
Nikon D800E
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D800E

Leica S (Typ 007)
Nikon D800E
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Nikon D800
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D800 vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Leica S (Typ 007)
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $10535
  • Medium format

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D800
Nikon D810
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2291
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D810

Leica S (Typ 007)
Nikon D810
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2291
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Internal flash

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Nikon D810

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Nikon D800
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D800 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Leica S (Typ 007)
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

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