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Leica S2 vs Nikon D5

Portability
52
Imaging
73
Features
43
Overall
61
Leica S2 front
 
Nikon D5 front
Portability
50
Imaging
70
Features
84
Overall
75

Leica S2 vs Nikon D5 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 D5
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Bump to 3280000)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1415g - 160 x 158.5 x 92mm
  • Released January 2016
  • Previous Model is Nikon D4s
  • Successor is Nikon D6
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Leica S2 vs Nikon D5 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Leica S2 and Nikon D5, both Pro DSLR cameras by brands Leica and Nikon. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the S2 (38MP) and D5 (21MP) and the S2 (Medium format) and D5 (Full frame) possess different sensor sizing.

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The S2 was introduced 8 years prior to the D5 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the S2 scores versus the D5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Nikon D5

 S2 D5 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5 over the Leica S2

 D5 S2 
ReleasedJanuary 2016September 2008Newer by 88 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k460kCrisper screen (+1899k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica S2 and Nikon D5

 S2 D5 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Leica S2 vs Nikon D5 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Leica S2 has outer measurements of 160mm x 120mm x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") and a weight of 1410 grams (3.11 lbs) whilst the Nikon D5 has sizing of 160mm x 158.5mm x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 1415 grams (3.12 lbs).

Check the Leica S2 and Nikon D5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the S2 and the D5.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D5 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and D5 is 52 and 50 respectively.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D5 top view buttons comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon D5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to picture the difference in sensor dimensions only by researching specifications. The picture here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S2 and D5.

Plainly, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S2 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh easier and the Leica S2 will provide you with greater detail using its extra 17 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged S2 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D5 sensor size comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon D5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica S2 vs Nikon D5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica S2 Portrait photography features
Nikon D5 Portrait photography features
75
manual focus
high megapixels (38 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
82
focusing manually
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica S2 Street photography highlights
Nikon D5 Street photography highlights
51
sensor size is great (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
max ISO too low (1,250)
60
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather proof
great high ISO (102,400)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica S2 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D5 as a Sports photography camera
57
high megapixels (38 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (1,000 CIPA)
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
good megapixels (21MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
good battery (3,780 per charge)
has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Leica S2 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D5 as a Travel photography camera
45
high megapixels (38 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery power (1,000 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
64
good battery (3,780 CIPA)
weather proof
good megapixels (21MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica S2 Landscape photography highlights
Nikon D5 Landscape photography highlights
61
manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
high megapixels (38MP)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
max ISO too low (1,250)
low battery power (1,000 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
78
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
great high ISO (102,400)
saves RAW files
weather proof
good battery (3,780 CIPA)
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica S2 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D5 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
30
screen is touchscreen
includes face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has mic support
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
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Leica S2 vs Nikon D5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica S2 and Nikon D5
 Leica S2Nikon D5
General Information
Brand Leica Nikon
Model Leica S2 Nikon D5
Type Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Introduced 2008-09-23 2016-01-05
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed 5
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Medium format Full frame
Sensor dimensions 45 x 30mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 1,350.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 38MP 21MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 5:4, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 7500 x 5000 5588 x 3712
Max native ISO 1250 102400
Max boosted ISO - 3280000
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 153
Cross focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Nikon F
Available lenses 30 309
Crop factor 0.8 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.86x 0.72x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 32 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 14.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1410g (3.11 lb) 1415g (3.12 lb)
Dimensions 160 x 120 x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") 160 x 158.5 x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 76 88
DXO Color Depth score 23.9 25.1
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 12.3
DXO Low light score 824 2434
Other
Battery life 1000 photographs 3780 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL18a
Self timer - Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - Dual CompactFlash or dual XQD
Card slots Single Two
Cost at launch $0 $6,500