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Canon 1D X vs Leica S2

Portability
50
Imaging
64
Features
73
Overall
67
Canon EOS-1D X front
 
Leica S2 front
Portability
52
Imaging
73
Features
43
Overall
61

Canon 1D X vs Leica S2 Key Specs

Canon 1D X
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1340g - 158 x 164 x 83mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Succeeded the Canon 1Ds MIII
  • New Model is Canon 1D X II
Leica S2
(Full Review)
  • 38MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1250
  • No Video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1410g - 160 x 120 x 81mm
  • Released September 2008
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Canon 1D X vs Leica S2 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Canon 1D X versus Leica S2, both Pro DSLR cameras by rivals Canon and Leica. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the 1D X (18MP) and S2 (38MP) and the 1D X (Full frame) and S2 (Medium format) feature totally different sensor size.

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The 1D X was brought out 3 years after the S2 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the 1D X grades against the S2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1D X over the Leica S2

 1D X S2 
ReleasedOctober 2011September 2008More modern by 38 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Canon 1D X

 S2 1D X 

Common features in the Canon 1D X and Leica S2

 1D X S2 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Canon 1D X vs Leica S2 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon 1D X has got outside dimensions of 158mm x 164mm x 83mm (6.2" x 6.5" x 3.3") with a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) whilst the Leica S2 has dimensions of 160mm x 120mm x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") along with a weight of 1410 grams (3.11 lbs).

Contrast the Canon 1D X versus Leica S2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the 1D X compared to the S2.

Canon 1D X vs Leica S2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the 1D X and S2 is 50 and 52 respectively.

Canon 1D X vs Leica S2 top view buttons comparison

Canon 1D X vs Leica S2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes only by researching specifications. The picture here may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1D X and S2.

To sum up, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 1D X due to its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Leica S2 will result in greater detail having its extra 20MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger 1D X will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 1D X vs Leica S2 sensor size comparison

Canon 1D X vs Leica S2 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon 1D X as a Portrait photography camera
Leica S2 as a Portrait photography camera
78
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
75
you can focus manually
MP count high (38 megapixels)
large sensor size (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Canon 1D X Street photography features
Leica S2 Street photography features
58
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
great ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
51
large sensor size (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
max ISO too low (1,250)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1D X Sports photography info
Leica S2 Sports photography info
69
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (1,120 per charge)
57
MP count high (38MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery power (1,000 shots)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 1D X
Travel photography with Leica S2
48
environment proof
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (1,120 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
45
MP count high (38 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (1,000 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 1D X Landscape photography information
Leica S2 Landscape photography information
68
has manual focus
swap lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
2 card slots
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (1,120 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
decent sized screen (3")
MP count high (38MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
max ISO too low (1,250)
bad battery power (1,000 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1D X Vlogging advice
Leica S2 Vlogging advice
28
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone support
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
9
no video
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Canon 1D X vs Leica S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1D X and Leica S2
 Canon EOS-1D XLeica S2
General Information
Brand Canon Leica
Model type Canon EOS-1D X Leica S2
Category Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Released 2011-10-18 2008-09-23
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual Digic 5+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame Medium format
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 45 x 30mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 1,350.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 38MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Full resolution 5184 x 3456 7500 x 5000
Max native ISO 51200 1250
Max boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 61 -
Cross type focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens support Canon EF Leica L
Total lenses 250 30
Crop factor 1 0.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology Clear View II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.86x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 32s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 14.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes E-TTL II Auto Flash, Metered Manual no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps, 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1340g (2.95 lb) 1410g (3.11 lb)
Dimensions 158 x 164 x 83mm (6.2" x 6.5" x 3.3") 160 x 120 x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 82 76
DXO Color Depth rating 23.8 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 12.2
DXO Low light rating 2786 824
Other
Battery life 1120 photographs 1000 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E4N -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, remote) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA compatible -
Card slots Two 1
Cost at launch $5,299 $0