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Leica S2 vs Nikon D3X

Portability
52
Imaging
74
Features
43
Overall
61
Leica S2 front
 
Nikon D3X front
Portability
51
Imaging
67
Features
65
Overall
66

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3X 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
  • Released September 2008
Nikon D3X
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1260g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Succeeded the Nikon D2Xs
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Leica S2 vs Nikon D3X Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Leica S2 vs Nikon D3X, both Pro DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the S2 (38MP) and D3X (25MP) and the S2 (Medium format) and D3X (Full frame) possess different sensor sizing.

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The S2 was introduced 4 months earlier than the D3X and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the S2 scores against the D3X with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Nikon D3X

 S2 D3X 

Reasons to pick Nikon D3X over the Leica S2

 D3X S2 
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Leica S2 and Nikon D3X

 S2 D3X 
ReleasedSeptember 2008February 2009Similar generation
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3X Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Leica S2 offers outside dimensions of 160mm x 120mm x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 1410 grams (3.11 lbs) while the Nikon D3X has sizing of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 1260 grams (2.78 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica S2 vs Nikon D3X in the latest 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 choose at that moment. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the S2 compared to the D3X.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3X size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and D3X is 52 and 51 respectively.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3X top view buttons comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3X Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual here will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S2 and D3X.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The S2 using its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Leica S2 will offer greater detail using its extra 13 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3X sensor size comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3X Screen and ViewFinder

Leica S2 vs Nikon D3X Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica S2 Portrait photography info
Nikon D3X Portrait photography info
76
you can focus manually
amazing sensor resolution (38 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
80
you can focus manually
megapixel count high (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica S2 Street photography info
Nikon D3X Street photography info
51
sensor size is great (Medium format)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
low max ISO (1,250)
57
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica S2 Sports photography advice
Nikon D3X Sports photography advice
58
amazing sensor resolution (38MP)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (1,000 per charge)
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count high (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
environment sealing
good battery power (4,400 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
low fps (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Leica S2 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D3X as a Travel photography camera
45
amazing sensor resolution (38 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery (1,000 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
63
good battery power (4,400 shots)
environment sealing
megapixel count high (25 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica S2 Landscape photography details
Nikon D3X Landscape photography details
62
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
amazing sensor resolution (38MP)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low max ISO (1,250)
terrible battery (1,000 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
76
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count high (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery power (4,400 CIPA)
2 card slots
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica S2 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D3X as a Vlogging camera
9
can't record video
9
lack of video recording
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Leica S2 vs Nikon D3X Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica S2 and Nikon D3X
 Leica S2Nikon D3X
General Information
Company Leica Nikon
Model type Leica S2 Nikon D3X
Category Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Released 2008-09-23 2009-02-19
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Expeed
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Medium format Full frame
Sensor dimensions 45 x 30mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 1,350.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 38MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Highest resolution 7500 x 5000 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 1250 1600
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 51
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Nikon F
Number of lenses 30 309
Focal length multiplier 0.8 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.86x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 32 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
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 modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Mic 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) 1260g (2.78 lb)
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 88
DXO Color Depth rating 23.9 24.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 13.7
DXO Low light rating 824 1992
Other
Battery life 1000 shots 4400 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL4a
Self timer - Yes (2 to 20 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type - Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA
Card slots 1 2
Retail cost $0 $3,000