• 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D850 advantages over Leica S3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More cross-type AF points
    99 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
  • Lighter weight
    915g vs 1260g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    2359k 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
    153 vs 1
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    200 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 50000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica S3 advantages over Nikon D850

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Newer
    5 years vs 7 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.09x vs 0.75x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    64.0 vs 45.7 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 200 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Class-leading resolution; Excellent dynamic range; Very good high ISO performance; Very fast AF and burst shooting; Durable weather-sealed body; Improved ergonomics; Touchscreen; Dual card slots; 4K video.

  • Live view/video mode still uses sluggish contrast-detect AF; Viewfinder only tests at ~98% coverage; No 4K at 60p; 30-minute video clip limit; Focus peaking not supported with 4K.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-1

Nikon D850
Pentax K-1
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
Leica S3
Pentax K-1
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D850
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • NFC
Leica S3
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A99 II

Nikon D850
Sony A99 II
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Leica S3
Sony A99 II
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in GPS
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon 6D Mark II

Nikon D850
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1332
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Leica S3
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1332
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850
Pentax K-1 II
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
Leica S3
Pentax K-1 II
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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