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Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D850

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Leica Digilux 3 front
 
Nikon D850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
77
Features
87
Overall
81

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D850 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
  • Announced September 2006
Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Raise to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
  • Announced August 2017
  • Succeeded the Nikon D810
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D850 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Leica Digilux 3 versus Nikon D850, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the Digilux 3 (7MP) and D850 (46MP) and the Digilux 3 (Four Thirds) and D850 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Digilux 3 was released 12 years earlier than the D850 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the Digilux 3 matches up against the D850 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica Digilux 3 over the Nikon D850

 Digilux 3 D850 

Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Leica Digilux 3

 D850 Digilux 3 
AnnouncedAugust 2017September 2006More modern by 133 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution2359k207kCrisper display (+2152k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica Digilux 3 and Nikon D850

 Digilux 3 D850 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D850 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Leica Digilux 3 features outer 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) whilst the Nikon D850 has sizing of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") with a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs).

Look at the Leica Digilux 3 versus Nikon D850 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the Digilux 3 compared to the D850.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D850 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Digilux 3 and D850 is 65 and 54 respectively.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D850 top view buttons comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D850 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes just by checking specs. The pic underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the Digilux 3 and D850.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Digilux 3 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Nikon D850 will give you more detail as a result of its extra 39 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos more aggressively. The more aged Digilux 3 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D850 sensor size comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D850 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica Digilux 3
Portrait photography with Nikon D850
54
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (7 megapixels)
86
you can focus manually
fantastic megapixels (46MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica Digilux 3
Street photography with Nikon D850
58
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (606g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
66
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
boasts touch to focus
environment proofing
above average ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competitors (1,015g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica Digilux 3
Sports photography with Nikon D850
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7MP)
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
fantastic megapixels (46 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery (1,840 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D850 as a Travel photography camera
50
lighter than competition (606g)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (7 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
65
better than average battery (1,840 shots)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
fantastic megapixels (46MP)
heavier than competitors (1,015 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon D850 as a Landscape photography camera
47
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
82
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
fantastic megapixels (46MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery (1,840 per charge)
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D850 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
29
touchscreen functionality
has face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competitors (1,015g)
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Nikon D850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Digilux 3 and Nikon D850
 Leica Digilux 3Nikon D850
General Information
Company Leica Nikon
Model Leica Digilux 3 Nikon D850
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2006-09-14 2017-08-24
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 7 megapixels 46 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3136 x 2352 8256 x 5504
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO - 32
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 3 153
Cross focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Nikon F
Number of lenses 45 309
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.5 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 207k dots 2,359k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.47x 0.75x
Features
Slowest shutter speed B+ secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 606g (1.34 lb) 1015g (2.24 lb)
Physical dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 100
DXO Color Depth score not tested 26.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.8
DXO Low light score not tested 2660
Other
Battery life - 1840 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL15a
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD
Card slots Single Two
Launch cost $1,999 $2,997