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Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D500

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Leica Digilux 3 front
 
Nikon D500 front
Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D500 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
  • Launched September 2006
Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Introduced January 2016
  • Superseded the Nikon D300S
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D500 Overview

Following is a in-depth assessment of the Leica Digilux 3 versus Nikon D500, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Leica and Nikon. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the Digilux 3 (7MP) and D500 (21MP) and the Digilux 3 (Four Thirds) and D500 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The Digilux 3 was brought out 10 years earlier than the D500 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the Digilux 3 scores vs the D500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica Digilux 3 over the Nikon D500

 Digilux 3 D500 

Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Leica Digilux 3

 D500 Digilux 3 
IntroducedJanuary 2016September 2006More modern by 113 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution2359k207kClearer screen (+2152k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica Digilux 3 and Nikon D500

 Digilux 3 D500 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D500 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Leica Digilux 3 enjoys exterior measurements of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") along with a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) and the Nikon D500 has specifications of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") with a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs).

Analyze the Leica Digilux 3 versus Nikon D500 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the Digilux 3 versus the D500.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the Digilux 3 and D500 is 65 and 56 respectively.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D500 top view buttons comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes only by researching a spec sheet. The pic here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the Digilux 3 and D500.

Clearly, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The Digilux 3 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Nikon D500 will render greater detail having its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged Digilux 3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D500 sensor size comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D500 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D500 as a Portrait photography camera
54
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (7 megapixels)
79
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (21MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Street photography info
Nikon D500 Street photography info
58
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lighter than average (606g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
68
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
supports touch focus
environment proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D500 as a Sports photography camera
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (7 megapixels)
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count decent (21MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery (1,240 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica Digilux 3
Travel photography with Nikon D500
50
lighter than average (606g)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (7MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
68
good battery (1,240 CIPA)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
supports touch focus
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon D500 as a Landscape photography camera
47
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.5")
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (7 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
good battery (1,240 per charge)
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D500 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
31
has touchscreen
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Digilux 3 and Nikon D500
 Leica Digilux 3Nikon D500
General Information
Brand Name Leica Nikon
Model type Leica Digilux 3 Nikon D500
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2006-09-14 2016-01-05
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 7 megapixel 21 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 3136 x 2352 5568 x 3712
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Max boosted ISO - 1640000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 153
Cross type focus points - 99
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Nikon F
Number of lenses 45 309
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 207 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.47x 0.66x
Features
Slowest shutter speed B+s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 606 grams (1.34 pounds) 860 grams (1.90 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 84
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1324
Other
Battery life - 1240 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL15
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC card XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant)
Card slots Single Dual
Pricing at launch $1,999 $1,497