• 1/2.35 inch 27.3mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 180.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 37.5 megapixels
  • ISO 80 - 1250

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Differences

Olympus 840 advantages over Leica S2

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $22995 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    24 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    130g vs 1410g
    Lighter weight

Leica S2 advantages over Olympus 840

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 1/2.35 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 1.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    37.5 vs 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Longer exposure
    32 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-W150

Olympus 840
Sony DSC-W150
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $163
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Manual focus
Leica S2
Sony DSC-W150
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $163
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax V20

Olympus 840
Pentax V20
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $203
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Leica S2
Pentax V20
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $203
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Olympus FE-370

Olympus 840
Olympus FE-370
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • $136
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher extended ISO
Leica S2
Olympus FE-370
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $136
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax 645D

Olympus 840
Pentax 645D
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Leica S2
Pentax 645D
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Olympus 840
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Leica S2
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • More dots on screen
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