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Leica S2 vs Nikon D1

Portability
52
Imaging
74
Features
43
Overall
61
Leica S2 front
 
Nikon D1 front
Portability
51
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1 Key Specs

Leica S2
(Full Review)
  • 38MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1250
  • No Video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1410g - 160 x 120 x 81mm
  • Introduced September 2008
Nikon D1
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1200g - 157 x 153 x 85mm
  • Launched November 2000
  • New Model is Nikon D1X
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Leica S2 vs Nikon D1 Overview

The following is a extensive analysis of the Leica S2 versus Nikon D1, both Pro DSLR cameras by companies Leica and Nikon. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the S2 (38MP) and D1 (3MP) and the S2 (Medium format) and D1 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

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The S2 was announced 7 years after the D1 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Large SLR).

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the S2 scores versus the D1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Nikon D1

 S2 D1 
LaunchedSeptember 2008November 2000Newer by 96 months
Display size3"2"Larger display (+1")
Display resolution460k130kCrisper display (+330k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D1 over the Leica S2

 D1 S2 

Common features in the Leica S2 and Nikon D1

 S2 D1 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and volume. The Leica S2 comes with physical measurements of 160mm x 120mm x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 1410 grams (3.11 lbs) and the Nikon D1 has sizing of 157mm x 153mm x 85mm (6.2" x 6.0" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 1200 grams (2.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica S2 versus Nikon D1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the S2 against the D1.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and D1 is 52 and 51 respectively.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1 top view buttons comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by looking through a spec sheet. The image underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the S2 and D1.

As you can see, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S2 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Leica S2 will render extra detail with its extra 35MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more recent S2 should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1 sensor size comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D1 as a Portrait photography camera
76
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is high (38 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
50
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
low resolution sensor (3 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica S2 Street photography advice
Nikon D1 Street photography advice
51
sensor size is large (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
low maximum ISO (1,250)
48
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica S2 Sports photography highlights
Nikon D1 Sports photography highlights
58
sensor resolution is high (38 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (1,000 CIPA)
40
high shutter speed (1/16,000s)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (3 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica S2
Travel photography with Nikon D1
45
sensor resolution is high (38 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery (1,000 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
28
does not have Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (3MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica S2 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon D1 as a Landscape photography camera
62
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is high (38 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low maximum ISO (1,250)
bad battery (1,000 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
42
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2")
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (3 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica S2 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D1 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
9
can't record video
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Leica S2 vs Nikon D1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica S2 and Nikon D1
 Leica S2Nikon D1
General Information
Make Leica Nikon
Model Leica S2 Nikon D1
Category Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Introduced 2008-09-23 2000-11-27
Body design Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Medium format APS-C
Sensor dimensions 45 x 30mm 23.7 x 15.5mm
Sensor surface area 1,350.0mm² 367.4mm²
Sensor resolution 38MP 3MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 7500 x 5000 2000 x 1312
Maximum native ISO 1250 1600
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Nikon F
Number of lenses 30 309
Crop factor 0.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 130 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.86x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 32 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 5.0 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 no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/500 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1410 gr (3.11 lb) 1200 gr (2.65 lb)
Physical dimensions 160 x 120 x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") 157 x 153 x 85mm (6.2" x 6.0" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 76 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 824 not tested
Other
Battery life 1000 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer - Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $0 $5,130