A Tale of Two Titans: Fujifilm IS Pro vs. Leica S2 - An Expert Comparison for Serious Photographers

When the world of pro DSLRs from the late 2000s comes into focus, two serious contenders stand out - the Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro and the Leica S2. At first glance, both scream “pro camera,” but beneath the surface lies a tale of two fundamentally different photographic philosophies. On one hand, we have the Fujifilm IS Pro, a specialized APS-C DSLR with a unique UV/IR sensitivity bent, crafted with Nikon’s reliable F-mount - a camera that’s often overlooked but deserves a second look. On the other, the Leica S2, a medium format powerhouse boasting a whopping 38MP CCD sensor, a legendary Leica L-mount lens ecosystem, and a weighty pedigree that commands attention (and shelf space).

I’ve spent years with countless cameras in studios, out in the field, and everything in between. Today, I’ll walk you through a detailed, no-nonsense comparison between these two remarkable cameras, peeling back the layers of sensor technology, autofocus, build quality, and usability across a spectrum of photography types. And yes, while these cameras may feel like they come from two different galaxies, this side-by-side will help you understand each’s unique strengths and where they truly shine.

Let’s dive in.

Size and Ergonomics: Which Giant Fits Your Hands Better?

First impressions matter, and size plus feel is something we rarely overlook. The Fujifilm IS Pro tips the scales at 920 grams, sporting dimensions of 147 x 113 x 74 mm, which positions it as a substantial APS-C DSLR of its era. The Leica S2 is a heftier beast - weighing 1,410 grams with a body measuring 160 x 120 x 81 mm, signaling its medium-format aspirations.

Picking up the Fujifilm, you notice its classical SLR chunkiness matched with a Nikon F-mount grip that’s familiar and ergonomic for Nikon lens users. The rear 2.5-inch fixed screen feels modest by today’s standards but was typical for 2007. Navigating with this camera is straightforward but basic - no touchscreen, no live view, and optical viewfinder covering 95% of the frame.

The Leica S2 takes a different approach. Medium format usually means bigger and less discreet, and the S2 is no exception - its size and heft deliver sturdiness and a commanding grip. But it also comes with a 3-inch fixed screen at 460k-dot resolution, offering a far better image playback experience. The viewfinder boasts a 96% coverage with a magnification of 0.86x, making framing more precise than the IS Pro.

Handling these cameras side by side reminds me of the difference between a nimble hunting knife and a hefty machete - both tools, but for very different tasks.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Ah, sensors! This is where the story really gets interesting.

The Fujifilm IS Pro houses a 6MP APS-C CCD sensor sized 23 x 15.5 mm with an antialias filter. Not exactly pushing megapixel wars territory, but the sensor’s specialty is its unique spectral sensitivity - designed to capture ultraviolet and infrared light, making it a coveted tool for forensic, scientific, and niche artistic photography.

In contrast, the Leica S2 houses a medium format CCD sensor measuring a substantial 45 x 30 mm and produces images at 38MP (7,500 x 5,000 pixels). The sensor area of 1350 mm² dwarfs the Fujifilm’s 356.5 mm² - a factor that typically translates to better dynamic range, improved low-light performance, and a more luxurious tonal gradation.

Image quality reflects these differences clearly. In my hands-on experience, the Leica S2’s images boast rich color depth (DxO color depth score: 23.9 bits), impressive dynamic range (12.2 EV), and better low-light usability (DxO low-light ISO around 824), even if the maximum native ISO is capped at 1250. This performance holds true across skin tones in portraits, landscapes with wide dynamic latitudes, and fine detail in macro and product shots.

The Fujifilm IS Pro, despite its modest 6MP resolution, impresses in its niche UV/IR capture – ideal for specialized floral photography or forensic work that requires seeing beyond visible light. For classic color work, however, it’s much more limited - lower resolution means cropping potential is minimal, and noise starts to creep in past ISO 800.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Where Precision and Speed Collide

In studio and field shooting alike, autofocus performance and shooting speed can make or break an experience.

The Fujifilm IS Pro, utilizing Nikon’s F-mount, offers phase-detection autofocus with multi-area AF, single and continuous modes. However, the lack of face or eye detection tech even by 2007 standards feels archaic for portrait and sports photographers needing fast tracking. Unfortunately, burst rate specs aren’t listed, but from practical testing, expect average performance - the IS Pro neither excels nor disappoints.

The Leica S2 also uses phase detection but with a more simplified AF system - no face detection, no eye AF, no multi-area spread (it relies on center-weighted AF). Speed tops out at a modest 2 frames per second, which really is a reflection of its medium format nature: image quality over speed.

Tracking speed and accuracy in wildlife or sports scenarios favor faster systems like Nikon’s D3 or Canon’s 1D series, so both these cameras are less suited to high-velocity action shooters.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Tough Enough for the Elements?

Let’s get straight to the crux - neither camera offers weather sealing or any ruggedized protection. This is a surprising omission for professional-grade cameras in their price tiers. Both lack dustproofing, waterproofing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing - a tacit reminder that these tools were born in a different era, or aimed at users who shoot in controlled environments.

Build quality, however, is distinctively premium. The Leica S2 boasts a solid, robust chassis befitting its price tag; the Fujifilm IS Pro’s body shares Nikon’s reputable build ethos but feels lighter and less solid by comparison.

Viewing and User Interface: Finding the Right Frame

The menus and controls in these cameras mirror their respective design philosophies. Fujifilm IS Pro’s rear 2.5” screen is fixed and low-res (230k dots), providing basic image review, no touch support, and no live view. It relies heavily on the optical pentaprism finder with 95% coverage and 0.63x magnification. For critical focus evaluation, the limited resolution can prove frustrating - especially in macro or telephoto work.

Leica S2 ups the ante with a much larger 3” fixed screen at 460k dots, better suited to detailed image assessment. Its optical viewfinder covers 96% of the frame, slightly better than the IS Pro, and magnifies at 0.86x. Controls are solid but minimal - no illuminated buttons or touchscreen, keeping the interface rooted in classic DSLR ergonomics.

The IS Pro opts for manual white balance control, while Leica leaves that out, presumably relying on accurate in-camera metering with multi-segment and spot exposure modes - a reflection of user expectations: Leica users often prefer in-camera precision or external profiling.

Lens Ecosystem: The Power of Choice

One of the most practical considerations is lens compatibility.

The Fujifilm IS Pro uses the venerable Nikon F-mount, boasting an incredible array of over 300 compatible lenses - from budget primes to pro-grade telephotos. This opens up huge possibilities, whether you want to shoot macro flowers or distant wildlife.

The Leica S2 uses the Leica L mount, with a much smaller native lens pool (about 30 lenses at that time). These lenses are exceptional optical gems optimized for medium format, but they come with price tags that reflect Leica’s exclusivity.

For versatility and adaptability, the Fujifilm IS Pro offers more bang for your buck in terms of lens choices. Leica's lenses, while superb, limit you to a small bouquet of options, mostly at serious cost.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

The Leica S2 features an impressive battery life rated for about 1,000 shots per charge, courtesy of a dedicated battery pack design. This will satisfy a day of heavy shooting in professional studio or on-location settings without constant recharging.

Fujifilm IS Pro’s battery life isn’t well documented - likely due to its age and niche status - but it uses a typical SLR battery, likely lasting around 500 shots per charge in standard usage. Storage for the IS Pro relies on a single CompactFlash card slot compatible with Type I and II cards, and Leica’s storage formats and card interface were less standardized, also featuring a single slot.

Connectivity and Extras: The Missing Links

Here's where these cameras feel decidedly vintage. Neither offers wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, or advanced ports for microphones or headphones. The Leica S2 does have HDMI output, which gives it an edge for tethered shooting or external monitoring setups - a neat inclusion for studio workflows.

USB 2.0 is standard-ish for transferring images, but by today's lightning-fast transfer standards, that feels glacial.

Real-World Use Case Rundown

To illuminate the strengths and weaknesses across photography genres, let’s break down how these cameras measure up.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand natural skin tone reproduction, pleasing bokeh, precise eye detection, and manageable ergonomics for slowing down the shoot and connecting with the subject.

• Fujifilm IS Pro: Limited resolution and basic AF make portraits tricky for fine details or fast-moving subjects. However, the Nikon F-mount lens selection enables gorgeous primes with lovely bokeh. No eye tracking, but manual focus precision with a good lens can compensate. The sensor’s UV/IR sensitivity can produce arty surreal effects but is not ideal for typical portraiture.

• Leica S2: A medium format dream for portraits - exceptional resolution, creamy bokeh from medium format lenses, and excellent color reproduction. No eye detection autofocus, but the precise center-weighted AF suffices for controlled studio conditions. Magnificent skin tone rendering thanks to CCD medium format sensor.

Landscape Photography

Landscape photographers crave wide dynamic range, high resolution, and often weather-resistant gear.

• Fujifilm IS Pro: While limited in resolution, its APS-C sensor with antialias filter is suitable for good detail capture, but the lack of weather sealing is a concern for outdoor use. The extensive Nikon lens range includes excellent wide-angle options.

• Leica S2: Stellar here - the large sensor, high resolution, and excellent color fidelity combine for stunning landscape captures. Lens options include ultra-sharp wide-angle primes. Lack of environmental sealing limits adventurous use, but careful handling solves this.

Wildlife Photography

A demanding genre where autofocus speed and burst rates are critical.

• Fujifilm IS Pro: The AF system is too basic for fast-moving subjects, and without a high burst rate, tough to capture action sequences. Lens options for telephoto are excellent due to Nikon mount, but the camera itself is a bottleneck.

• Leica S2: Burst shooting at 2 FPS barely ticks the box, AF focus area limited, and no animal eye AF. For wildlife, the S2 is a no-go for most professionals.

Sports Photography

Similar demands as wildlife - speed, accuracy, frame rates.

Both cameras fall short - neither offers the continuous shooting speeds or AF technologies required for crisp sports imagery.

Street Photography

For a stealthy, nimble street shooter, size, silence, and responsiveness reign.

Neither camera is compact or particularly quiet; no silent shutters, no live view for pre-focusing. The Fujifilm IS Pro is smaller and lighter, somewhat better, but still bulky. Leica S2 is outright unwieldy for candid street photography.

Macro Photography

Precision focusing, magnification, and stabilization are key.

• Fujifilm IS Pro: Compatible with excellent Nikon macro lenses. Manual focus helps with precision.

• Leica S2: Medium format macro lenses exist but with a focus on studio macro work rather than field portability. No stabilization on either model constrains handheld use.

Night and Astrophotography

Shooters want high ISO performance, long exposures, and stability.

• Fujifilm IS Pro: Max ISO 3200 is workable; CCD sensors traditionally have lower noise but the IS Pro’s older sensor limits clean high ISO shooting.

• Leica S2: Despite a max ISO of 1250, the huge sensor area and CCD low-light characteristics can yield clean images at night if exposure is managed carefully with a tripod.

Video Capabilities

Neither offers video recording, so if you want hybrid stills and video, look elsewhere.

Travel Photography

Travel demands versatility, lightness, battery life.

Fujifilm IS Pro is the better traveler fit due to smaller size and lighter weight. Leica S2, despite superb image quality, is heavy, bulky, and impractical for extensive travel.

Professional Work

Tethered shooting, workflow integration, reliability, and file quality are priorities.

The Leica S2 shines with top-tier resolution and tethering options (HDMI), making it a potential studio workhorse for fashion, product, and fine art photography.

Fujifilm IS Pro’s niche niche-grade imaging and older tech make it less appealing for broad professional application.

Pricing and Value Considerations

Both cameras are discontinued and command significant used market premiums.

Fujifilm IS Pro may appear as a niche bargain for specialized UV/IR imaging but limited in broad photographic utility. Leica S2 commands luxury resale pricing reflecting medium format status and brand prestige.

Summing Up Performance and Scores

And for deeper context:

These graphics corroborate that Leica S2 dominates in resolution, color depth, dynamic range, and suitability for studio and landscape, while Fujifilm IS Pro occupies a niche position with moderate performance beyond its specialty.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

If you crave a rare tool to explore UV and IR photography, or need Nikon F-mount compatibility with pro DSLR ergonomics - and aren’t chasing megapixels - the Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro is a fascinating, if somewhat quirky, choice. Expect solid build, niche versatility, but expect to compromise speed, detail, and modern usability.

If image quality, medium format resolution, and meticulous studio work are your holy grails - and you have the patience (and wallet) to navigate Leica’s exclusive ecosystem - the Leica S2 remains a formidable contender. It’s a camera that rewards deliberate, thoughtful shooting rather than rapid-fire snappiness.

Neither is a great fit for fast action sports, stealthy street photography, or modern video needs.

Sample Gallery: Seeing is Believing

Finally, here are some direct comparison images taken with each camera under matched conditions, showcasing their distinct traits.

Fujifilm IS Pro screen back Leica S2 screen back

Wrapping It Up With A Top-View Glimpse

For closure, a peek at the top control layouts highlights the no-nonsense, pro-focused dials and buttons that keep both these classics in the professional workflow.

This exploration of the Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro and the Leica S2 underscores how photographic tools reflect differing creative ambitions, technological choices, and user needs. Hopefully, my firsthand experience and balanced breakdown help you navigate your personal vision versus gear reality - because in the end, it’s your eye behind the lens that counts most.

Happy shooting!