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Leica Q vs Nikon D5

Portability
63
Imaging
72
Features
64
Overall
68
Leica Q front
 
Nikon D5 front
Portability
50
Imaging
71
Features
84
Overall
76

Leica Q vs Nikon D5 Key Specs

Leica Q
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • Yes Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F1.7) lens
  • 640g - 130 x 80 x 93mm
  • Introduced June 2015
  • Alternate Name is Typ 116
  • Replacement is Leica Q2
Nikon D5
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Expand to 3280000)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1415g - 160 x 158.5 x 92mm
  • Launched January 2016
  • Succeeded the Nikon D4s
  • Successor is Nikon D6
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Leica Q vs Nikon D5 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Leica Q and Nikon D5, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Pro DSLR by brands Leica and Nikon. The resolution of the Q (24MP) and the D5 (21MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The Q was released 6 months prior to the D5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Leica Q being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Nikon D5 being a Large SLR camera.

Before going into a full comparison, here is a short introduction of how the Q scores vs the D5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica Q over the Nikon D5

 Q D5 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5 over the Leica Q

 D5 Q 
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k1040kSharper display (+1319k dot)

Common features in the Leica Q and Nikon D5

 Q D5 
LaunchedJune 2015January 2016Similar generation
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Leica Q vs Nikon D5 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and size. The Leica Q has got exterior measurements of 130mm x 80mm x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 640 grams (1.41 lbs) while the Nikon D5 has specifications of 160mm x 158.5mm x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 1415 grams (3.12 lbs).

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Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the Q compared to the D5.

Leica Q vs Nikon D5 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Q and D5 is 63 and 50 respectively.

Leica Q vs Nikon D5 top view buttons comparison

Leica Q vs Nikon D5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking a spec sheet. The photograph here will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the Q and D5.

Clearly, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Leica Q to resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a bit more aggressively.

Leica Q vs Nikon D5 sensor size comparison

Leica Q vs Nikon D5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Q vs Nikon D5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica Q
Portrait photography with Nikon D5
83
focusing manually
decent megapixels (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
82
manual focus
decent megapixels (21MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica Q Street photography details
Nikon D5 Street photography details
67
has image stabilization (Yes)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
supports touch focus
above average ISO range (50,000)
screen does not articulate
more heavy than average in class (640 grams)
60
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
good high ISO (102,400)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica Q Sports photography highlights
Nikon D5 Sports photography highlights
69
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Yes)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
no phase detect autofocus
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (21MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery life (3,780 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Travel Comparison

Leica Q as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D5 as a Travel photography camera
63
supports touch focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
fast max aperture (f1.7)
more heavy than average in class (640g)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
good battery life (3,780 CIPA)
weather proofing
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica Q Landscape photography factors
Nikon D5 Landscape photography factors
75
focusing manually
fast max aperture (f1.7)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Yes)
decent megapixels (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (50,000)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
decent megapixels (21MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery life (3,780 per charge)
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica Q as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D5 as a Vlogging camera
32
fast max aperture (f1.7)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Yes)
offers face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (640 grams)
30
touchscreen functionality
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external microphone jack
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
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Leica Q vs Nikon D5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Q and Nikon D5
 Leica QNikon D5
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Nikon
Model type Leica Q Nikon D5
Also called Typ 116 -
Category Large Sensor Compact Pro DSLR
Introduced 2015-06-10 2016-01-05
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Maestro II Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 21 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 5588 x 3712
Highest native ISO 50000 102400
Highest enhanced ISO - 3280000
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 153
Cross type focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Nikon F
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Largest aperture f/1.7 -
Macro focusing distance 17cm -
Amount of lenses - 309
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 2,359 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.72x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 14.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 640 gr (1.41 lb) 1415 gr (3.12 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 80 x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") 160 x 158.5 x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 85 88
DXO Color Depth rating 24.3 25.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 12.3
DXO Low light rating 2221 2434
Other
Battery life - 3780 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-DC12 EN-EL18a
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual CompactFlash or dual XQD
Storage slots Single Dual
Price at release $4,300 $6,500