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Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D300S

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Leica Digilux 3 front
 
Nikon D300S front
Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D300S Key Specs

Leica Digilux 3
(Full Review)
  • 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
  • Released September 2006
Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Revealed November 2009
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D300
  • Refreshed by Nikon D600
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D300S Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Leica Digilux 3 versus Nikon D300S, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the Digilux 3 (7MP) and D300S (12MP) and the Digilux 3 (Four Thirds) and D300S (APS-C) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Digilux 3 was manufactured 4 years before the D300S and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the Digilux 3 scores versus the D300S when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica Digilux 3 over the Nikon D300S

 Digilux 3 D300S 

Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Leica Digilux 3

 D300S Digilux 3 
RevealedNovember 2009September 2006More recent by 38 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k207kSharper screen (+713k dot)

Common features in the Leica Digilux 3 and Nikon D300S

 Digilux 3 D300S 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D300S Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Leica Digilux 3 has physical dimensions of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") having a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) and the Nikon D300S has proportions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs).

Look at the Leica Digilux 3 versus Nikon D300S in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the Digilux 3 against the D300S.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D300S size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the Digilux 3 and D300S is 65 and 55 respectively.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D300S top view buttons comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D300S Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to see the difference between sensor measurements purely by reading a spec sheet. The photograph below should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the Digilux 3 and D300S.

As you can see, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The Digilux 3 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Nikon D300S will deliver greater detail due to its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The older Digilux 3 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D300S sensor size comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D300S Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D300S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica Digilux 3
Portrait photography with Nikon D300S
54
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low megapixels (7 megapixels)
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Street photography camera
Nikon D300S as a Street photography camera
58
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lighter than others in class (606g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
52
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors (938g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Sports photography information
Nikon D300S Sports photography information
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (7MP)
59
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica Digilux 3
Travel photography with Nikon D300S
50
lighter than others in class (606g)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (7 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
48
environment proofing
flash built-in
heavier than competitors (938g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica Digilux 3
Landscape photography with Nikon D300S
47
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5")
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (7 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Vlogging information
Nikon D300S Vlogging information
9
no video
22
includes face detect focus
has mic socket
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
heavier than competitors (938g)
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D300S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Digilux 3 and Nikon D300S
 Leica Digilux 3Nikon D300S
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Nikon
Model type Leica Digilux 3 Nikon D300S
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2006-09-14 2009-11-16
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Expeed
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 7MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 3136 x 2352 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 3 51
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Nikon F
Total lenses 45 309
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 207k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.47x 0.63x
Features
Minimum shutter speed B+s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (24 fps), 320 x 240 (24 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 606 grams (1.34 pounds) 938 grams (2.07 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 70
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 787
Other
Battery life - 950 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL3e
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/MMC card Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC
Card slots One Dual
Cost at release $1,999 $1,630