• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 12,800
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Nikon D810 advantages over Leica S3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica S3 advantages over Nikon D810

  • 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 10 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 36.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 57 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Leica S3

Review Excerpt

  • Handles even better than its predecessors; Absolutely spectacular images from the 36-megapixel image sensor; Unusually wide sensitivity range for its resolution; Improved performance and buffer depths; Improved video feature set; Impressive low-light autofocus

  • Prone to moire and false color with some subjects; No longer available with a low-pass filter; Demands excellent lenses for the best detail; White balance tends warm under tungsten lighting

  • Read our Nikon D810 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D810
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D810 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Leica S3
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D800

Nikon D810
Nikon D800
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D810 vs Nikon D800

Leica S3
Nikon D800
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Internal flash

Compare Leica S3 vs Nikon D800

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D810
Nikon D800E
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup

Compare Nikon D810 vs Nikon D800E

Leica S3
Nikon D800E
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Internal flash

Compare Leica S3 vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Pentax K-1

Nikon D810
Pentax K-1
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D810 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

Compared to Canon 6D Mark II

Nikon D810
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • More dynamic range
  • Internal flash
  • $1332
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D810 vs Canon 6D Mark II

Leica S3
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1332
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon 6D Mark II

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