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Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D780

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Leica Digilux 3 front
 
Nikon D780 front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
89
Overall
81

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D780 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 D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Revealed January 2020
  • Superseded the Nikon D750
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D780 Overview

The following is a comprehensive review of the Leica Digilux 3 and Nikon D780, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the Digilux 3 (7MP) and D780 (25MP) and the Digilux 3 (Four Thirds) and D780 (Full frame) boast different sensor size.

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The Digilux 3 was launched 14 years before the D780 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the Digilux 3 matches up vs the D780 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica Digilux 3 over the Nikon D780

 Digilux 3 D780 

Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Leica Digilux 3

 D780 Digilux 3 
RevealedJanuary 2020September 2006Newer by 162 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution2359k207kSharper display (+2152k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica Digilux 3 and Nikon D780

 Digilux 3 D780 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D780 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Leica Digilux 3 provides exterior dimensions of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") and a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) and the Nikon D780 has sizing of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs).

See the Leica Digilux 3 and Nikon D780 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the Digilux 3 and the D780.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D780 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Digilux 3 and D780 is 65 and 57 respectively.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D780 top view buttons comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D780 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions purely by looking at a spec sheet. The image below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Digilux 3 and D780.

As you can see, both of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The Digilux 3 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Nikon D780 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 18MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged Digilux 3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D780 sensor size comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D780 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D780 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica Digilux 3
Portrait photography with Nikon D780
54
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (7MP)
86
you can focus manually
megapixel count amazing (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Street photography features
Nikon D780 Street photography features
58
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (606g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
71
screen tilts up and down
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
includes touch to focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Sports photography advice
Nikon D780 Sports photography advice
40
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7 megapixels)
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count amazing (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
good battery (2,260 shots)
has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Travel photography details
Nikon D780 Travel photography details
50
lighter than competition (606 grams)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (7 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
71
good battery (2,260 per charge)
weather proof
has bluetooth
includes touch to focus
megapixel count amazing (25MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Landscape photography features
Nikon D780 Landscape photography features
47
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
81
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
megapixel count amazing (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proof
good battery (2,260 CIPA)
two card slots
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Vlogging info
Nikon D780 Vlogging info
9
can't shoot video
32
touch screen
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D780 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Digilux 3 and Nikon D780
 Leica Digilux 3Nikon D780
General Information
Make Leica Nikon
Model Leica Digilux 3 Nikon D780
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2006-09-14 2020-01-07
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 7MP 25MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3136 x 2352 6048 x 4024
Maximum native ISO 1600 51200
Maximum boosted ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 3 51
Cross focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Nikon F
Total lenses 45 309
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 207k dots 2,359k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.47x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed B+ seconds 900 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 606 grams (1.34 lbs) 840 grams (1.85 lbs)
Physical dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 2260 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL15b
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/MMC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots Single Two
Cost at launch $1,999 $2,297