Leica S2 vs Nikon D3
52 Imaging
74 Features
43 Overall
61
![Leica S2 front Leica S2 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Leica-S2.jpg)
![Nikon D3 front Nikon D3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Nikon-D3/Nikon-D3-front.jpg)
50 Imaging
56 Features
63 Overall
58
Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 Key Specs
(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
(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
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica S2 & Nikon D3. The full galleries are available at Leica S2 Gallery & Nikon D3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Nikon D3
S2 | D3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Leica S2
D3 | S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Leica S2 and Nikon D3
S2 | D3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | September 2008 | ![]() | April 2008 | Same age |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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 Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
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 Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-S2-vs-Nikon-D3-size-comparison.jpg)
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 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-S2-vs-Nikon-D3-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
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 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Leica-S2-vs-Nikon-D3-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 Screen and ViewFinder
![Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-S2-vs-Nikon-D3-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Leica S2 vs Nikon D3 Specifications
Leica S2 | Nikon 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 |