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Leica S2 vs Nikon D3

Portability
52
Imaging
74
Features
43
Overall
61
Leica S2 front
 
Nikon D3 front
Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 Key Specs

Leica S2
(Full Review)
  • 38MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1250
  • No Video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1410g - 160 x 120 x 81mm
  • Introduced September 2008
Nikon D3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1300g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Introduced April 2008
  • Later Model is Nikon D3S
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Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Leica S2 and Nikon D3, both Pro DSLR cameras by brands Leica and Nikon. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the S2 (38MP) and D3 (12MP) and the S2 (Medium format) and D3 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor size.

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The S2 was unveiled 6 months after the D3 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras have the same body design (Large SLR).

Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the S2 scores versus the D3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Nikon D3

 S2 D3 

Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Leica S2

 D3 S2 
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Leica S2 and Nikon D3

 S2 D3 
IntroducedSeptember 2008April 2008Same age
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Leica S2 has got outside 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 D3 has sizing of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") and a weight of 1300 grams (2.87 lbs).

Examine the Leica S2 and Nikon D3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the S2 and the D3.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and D3 is 52 and 50 respectively.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 top view buttons comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes just by looking through specifications. The pic below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S2 and D3.

Plainly, both of those cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The S2 having a larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Leica S2 will render more detail having an extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images a bit more aggressively.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 sensor size comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D3 as a Portrait photography camera
76
manual focus
megapixel count fantastic (38MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
63
focusing manually
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica S2 Street photography factors
Nikon D3 Street photography factors
51
large sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
max ISO too low (1,250)
54
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica S2 Sports photography information
Nikon D3 Sports photography information
58
megapixel count fantastic (38MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (1,000 shots)
65
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proof
great battery power (4,300 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Leica S2 Travel photography factors
Nikon D3 Travel photography factors
45
megapixel count fantastic (38 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (1,000 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
51
great battery power (4,300 per charge)
environment proof
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica S2 Landscape photography features
Nikon D3 Landscape photography features
62
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a good size (3")
megapixel count fantastic (38 megapixels)
large sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
max ISO too low (1,250)
terrible battery pack (1,000 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
67
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
great battery power (4,300 CIPA)
2 card slots
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica S2
Vlogging with Nikon D3
9
no video recording
9
no video recording
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Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica S2 and Nikon D3
 Leica S2Nikon D3
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Nikon
Model type Leica S2 Nikon D3
Type Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Introduced 2008-09-23 2008-04-18
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Medium format Full frame
Sensor measurements 45 x 30mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 1,350.0mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 38 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 5:4 and 3:2
Highest resolution 7500 x 5000 4256 x 2832
Highest native ISO 1250 6400
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW images
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 51
Cross type focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Nikon F
Available lenses 30 309
Focal length multiplier 0.8 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.86x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 32 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1410g (3.11 lb) 1300g (2.87 lb)
Physical dimensions 160 x 120 x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 76 81
DXO Color Depth rating 23.9 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 12.2
DXO Low light rating 824 2290
Other
Battery life 1000 photographs 4300 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer - Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type - Compact Flash (Type I or II) x2
Card slots Single Dual
Retail cost $0 $5,450