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Leica S2 vs Nikon D1H

Portability
52
Imaging
73
Features
43
Overall
61
Leica S2 front
 
Nikon D1H front
Portability
51
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1H 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 D1H
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1200g - 157 x 153 x 85mm
  • Introduced September 2001
  • Replacement is Nikon D2H
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Leica S2 vs Nikon D1H Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Leica S2 and Nikon D1H, both Pro DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the S2 (38MP) and D1H (3MP) and the S2 (Medium format) and D1H (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The S2 was manufactured 7 years later than the D1H and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Large SLR).

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the S2 matches up against the D1H when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Nikon D1H

 S2 D1H 
IntroducedSeptember 2008September 2001Fresher by 86 months
Screen dimensions3"2"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution460k130kSharper screen (+330k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D1H over the Leica S2

 D1H S2 

Common features in the Leica S2 and Nikon D1H

 S2 D1H 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1H Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Leica S2 provides outer dimensions of 160mm x 120mm x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") along with a weight of 1410 grams (3.11 lbs) and the Nikon D1H has sizing of 157mm x 153mm x 85mm (6.2" x 6.0" x 3.3") and a weight of 1200 grams (2.65 lbs).

Check the Leica S2 and Nikon D1H in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the S2 compared to the D1H.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1H size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S2 and D1H is 52 and 51 respectively.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1H top view buttons comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1H Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing only by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S2 and D1H.

As you can see, both of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The S2 featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Leica S2 will deliver more detail due to its extra 35MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The younger S2 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1H sensor size comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1H Screen and ViewFinder

Leica S2 vs Nikon D1H Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D1H as a Portrait photography camera
75
focusing manually
resolution is amazing (38MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW files
no liveview
50
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (3MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica S2
Street photography with Nikon D1H
51
large sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
low maximum ISO (1,250)
48
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica S2 Sports photography advice
Nikon D1H Sports photography advice
57
resolution is amazing (38MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery pack (1,000 shots)
40
great max shutter speed (1/16,000s)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (3 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Leica S2 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D1H as a Travel photography camera
45
resolution is amazing (38 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (1,000 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly display
28
no Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (3MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica S2 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon D1H as a Landscape photography camera
61
focusing manually
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
resolution is amazing (38MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW files
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low maximum ISO (1,250)
bad battery pack (1,000 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
42
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2 inch)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (3 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica S2
Vlogging with Nikon D1H
9
can't record video
9
can't record video
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Leica S2 vs Nikon D1H Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica S2 and Nikon D1H
 Leica S2Nikon D1H
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Nikon
Model Leica S2 Nikon D1H
Type Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Introduced 2008-09-23 2001-09-19
Body design Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Medium format APS-C
Sensor measurements 45 x 30mm 23.7 x 15.5mm
Sensor area 1,350.0mm² 367.4mm²
Sensor resolution 38MP 3MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Highest resolution 7500 x 5000 2000 x 1312
Highest native ISO 1250 1600
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Nikon F
Amount of lenses 30 309
Focal length multiplier 0.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2"
Screen resolution 460k dot 130k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.86x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 32s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/16000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/500s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1410 grams (3.11 lbs) 1200 grams (2.65 lbs)
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 All around 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 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer - Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $0 $5,130