• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Nikon Df advantages over Leica S3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 4.59 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 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 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
    29 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 50000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica S3 advantages over Nikon Df

  • 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 No
    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
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • 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 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Same sensor and processor as professional D4; Great image quality; Arguably the best available-light shooter in its class; Handsome, retro styling; Weather-sealed design; Big, clear full-frame viewfinder; Excellent battery life

  • Expensive; Bulky, yet handgrip is quite modest; Some controls are clumsy; Plastic body panels don't gel with retro aesthetic; Autofocus isn't in the same league as image quality; No AF assist lamp; No movie capture; No portrait grip; Single card slot

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon Df
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
Leica S3
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A99

Nikon Df
Sony A99
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Leica S3
Sony A99
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon Df
Canon 6D
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Leica S3
Canon 6D
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Nikon Df
Canon 5DS R
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
Leica S3
Canon 5DS R
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • More cross-type AF points

Compared to Pentax K-1

Nikon Df
Pentax K-1
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Leica S3
Pentax K-1
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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