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Leica S2 vs Nikon D3S

Portability
52
Imaging
74
Features
43
Overall
61
Leica S2 front
 
Nikon D3S front
Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3S 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
  • Announced September 2008
Nikon D3S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Push to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1240g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Introduced February 2010
  • Superseded the Nikon D3
  • New Model is Nikon D4
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Leica S2 vs Nikon D3S Overview

The following is a thorough overview of the Leica S2 versus Nikon D3S, both Pro DSLR cameras by companies Leica and Nikon. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the S2 (38MP) and D3S (12MP) and the S2 (Medium format) and D3S (Full frame) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The S2 was launched 17 months before the D3S making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Large SLR).

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the S2 grades vs the D3S in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Nikon D3S

 S2 D3S 

Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Leica S2

 D3S S2 
IntroducedFebruary 2010September 2008Newer by 17 months
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Leica S2 and Nikon D3S

 S2 D3S 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3S Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Leica S2 has external dimensions of 160mm x 120mm x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") and a weight of 1410 grams (3.11 lbs) while the Nikon D3S has sizing of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 1240 grams (2.73 lbs).

Check the Leica S2 versus Nikon D3S in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the S2 vs the D3S.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3S size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and D3S is 52 and 51 respectively.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3S top view buttons comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3S Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing specs. The picture here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S2 and D3S.

All in all, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The S2 featuring a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Leica S2 will provide more detail utilizing its extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged S2 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3S sensor size comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3S Screen and ViewFinder

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D3S as a Portrait photography camera
76
focusing manually
amazing megapixels (38 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
64
focusing manually
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Leica S2 Street photography information
Nikon D3S Street photography information
51
sensor size is big (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
no image stabilization
low maximum ISO (1,250)
55
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica S2 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D3S as a Sports photography camera
58
amazing megapixels (38MP)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no image stabilization
bad battery power (1,000 per charge)
66
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
great battery (4,200 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica S2
Travel photography with Nikon D3S
45
amazing megapixels (38 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (1,000 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
51
great battery (4,200 CIPA)
environment proof
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica S2 Landscape photography information
Nikon D3S Landscape photography information
62
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
amazing megapixels (38 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low maximum ISO (1,250)
bad battery power (1,000 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
67
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
great battery (4,200 per charge)
two card slots
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica S2 Vlogging details
Nikon D3S Vlogging details
9
lack of video recording
15
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
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Leica S2 vs Nikon D3S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica S2 and Nikon D3S
 Leica S2Nikon D3S
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Nikon
Model Leica S2 Nikon D3S
Category Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Announced 2008-09-23 2010-02-16
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Medium format Full frame
Sensor dimensions 45 x 30mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 1,350.0mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 38 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 5:4 and 3:2
Highest resolution 7500 x 5000 4256 x 2832
Highest native ISO 1250 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 51
Cross focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Nikon F
Amount of lenses 30 309
Focal length multiplier 0.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.86x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 32 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom 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 Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1410 gr (3.11 lb) 1240 gr (2.73 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 score 76 82
DXO Color Depth score 23.9 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 12.0
DXO Low light score 824 3253
Other
Battery life 1000 shots 4200 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL4a
Self timer - Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA
Card slots 1 Dual
Launch cost $0 $5,200