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Canon 1D X III vs Leica S2

Portability
50
Imaging
74
Features
85
Overall
78
Canon EOS-1D X Mark III front
 
Leica S2 front
Portability
52
Imaging
74
Features
43
Overall
61

Canon 1D X III vs Leica S2 Key Specs

Canon 1D X III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Increase to 819200)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 5472 x 2886 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1440g - 158 x 168 x 83mm
  • Launched January 2020
  • Older Model is Canon 1D X II
Leica S2
(Full Review)
  • 38MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1250
  • No Video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1410g - 160 x 120 x 81mm
  • Revealed September 2008
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Canon 1D X III vs Leica S2 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Canon 1D X III versus Leica S2, both Pro DSLR cameras by manufacturers Canon and Leica. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the 1D X III (20MP) and S2 (38MP) and the 1D X III (Full frame) and S2 (Medium format) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The 1D X III was unveiled 11 years later than the S2 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summary of how the 1D X III scores against the S2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1D X III over the Leica S2

 1D X III S2 
RevealedJanuary 2020September 2008Fresher by 138 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k460kCrisper display (+1640k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Canon 1D X III

 S2 1D X III 

Common features in the Canon 1D X III and Leica S2

 1D X III S2 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Canon 1D X III vs Leica S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera often, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon 1D X III provides external dimensions of 158mm x 168mm x 83mm (6.2" x 6.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 1440 grams (3.17 lbs) while the Leica S2 has proportions of 160mm x 120mm x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 1410 grams (3.11 lbs).

Analyze the Canon 1D X III versus Leica S2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the 1D X III versus the S2.

Canon 1D X III vs Leica S2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1D X III and S2 is 50 and 52 respectively.

Canon 1D X III vs Leica S2 top view buttons comparison

Canon 1D X III vs Leica S2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing merely by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic below will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1D X III and S2.

Clearly, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 1D X III having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Leica S2 will produce greater detail having an extra 18MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher 1D X III is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon 1D X III vs Leica S2 sensor size comparison

Canon 1D X III vs Leica S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 1D X III vs Leica S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 1D X III Portrait photography info
Leica S2 Portrait photography info
84
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
76
focusing manually
megapixel count excellent (38MP)
great sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Canon 1D X III as a Street photography camera
Leica S2 as a Street photography camera
62
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
features focus via touch
weather sealing
great high ISO (102,400)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
51
great sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
maximum ISO low (1,250)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1D X III Sports photography features
Leica S2 Sports photography features
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
max frames per second high (20.0 fps)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery power (2,850 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
58
megapixel count excellent (38 megapixels)
great sensor size (Medium format)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery pack (1,000 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 1D X III Travel photography advice
Leica S2 Travel photography advice
66
great battery power (2,850 shots)
weather sealing
features focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
45
megapixel count excellent (38MP)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery pack (1,000 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 1D X III Landscape photography factors
Leica S2 Landscape photography factors
80
focusing manually
change lenses (Canon EF mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (102,400)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
great battery power (2,850 CIPA)
2 card slots
no image stabilization
62
focusing manually
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count excellent (38 megapixels)
great sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
maximum ISO low (1,250)
bad battery pack (1,000 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1D X III Vlogging info
Leica S2 Vlogging info
30
touchscreen enabled
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (5472 x 2886 resolution)
comes with external mic support
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
9
no video recording
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Canon 1D X III vs Leica S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1D X III and Leica S2
 Canon EOS-1D X Mark IIILeica S2
General Information
Make Canon Leica
Model type Canon EOS-1D X Mark III Leica S2
Type Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Launched 2020-01-07 2008-09-23
Body design Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Digic X -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame Medium format
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 45 x 30mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 1,350.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 38 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest Possible resolution 5472 x 3648 7500 x 5000
Maximum native ISO 102400 1250
Maximum enhanced ISO 819200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 191 -
Cross type focus points 155 -
Lens
Lens support Canon EF Leica L
Amount of lenses 250 30
Crop factor 1 0.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 2,100 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.86x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 32s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 20.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 5472 X 2886 (60p, 30p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p), 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 50p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p) -
Maximum video resolution 5472x2886 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1440 grams (3.17 pounds) 1410 grams (3.11 pounds)
Dimensions 158 x 168 x 83mm (6.2" x 6.6" x 3.3") 160 x 120 x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 76
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 824
Other
Battery life 2850 pictures 1000 pictures
Battery format Built-in Battery Pack
Self timer Yes -
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual CFexpress type B -
Storage slots Two 1
Launch price $6,499 $0