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Leica S2 vs Nikon D6

Portability
52
Imaging
73
Features
43
Overall
61
Leica S2 front
 
Nikon D6 front
Portability
50
Imaging
74
Features
85
Overall
78

Leica S2 vs Nikon D6 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 D6
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Expand to 3280000)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1270g - 160 x 163 x 92mm
  • Launched February 2020
  • Older Model is Nikon D5
Photography Glossary

Leica S2 vs Nikon D6 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Leica S2 versus Nikon D6, both Pro DSLR cameras by competitors Leica and Nikon. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the S2 (38MP) and D6 (21MP) and the S2 (Medium format) and D6 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The S2 was launched 12 years before the D6 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Large SLR).

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the S2 scores against the D6 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Nikon D6

 S2 D6 

Reasons to pick Nikon D6 over the Leica S2

 D6 S2 
LaunchedFebruary 2020September 2008Fresher by 138 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k460kSharper screen (+1899k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica S2 and Nikon D6

 S2 D6 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Leica S2 vs Nikon D6 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Leica S2 enjoys physical dimensions of 160mm x 120mm x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") having a weight of 1410 grams (3.11 lbs) and the Nikon D6 has specifications of 160mm x 163mm x 92mm (6.3" x 6.4" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 1270 grams (2.80 lbs).

Analyze the Leica S2 versus Nikon D6 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the S2 against the D6.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D6 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and D6 is 52 and 50 respectively.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D6 top view buttons comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon D6 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizing merely by viewing specifications. The graphic underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S2 and D6.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The S2 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Leica S2 will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 17MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots more aggressively. The older S2 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Leica S2 vs Nikon D6 sensor size comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon D6 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica S2 vs Nikon D6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica S2
Portrait photography with Nikon D6
75
manual focus
excellent MP (38 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
84
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica S2 Street photography features
Nikon D6 Street photography features
51
sensor size is great (Medium format)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
low max ISO (1,250)
62
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
supports touch focus
environment proofing
great high ISO (102,400)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica S2 Sports photography info
Nikon D6 Sports photography info
57
excellent MP (38MP)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery pack (1,000 CIPA)
80
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (3,580 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica S2
Travel photography with Nikon D6
45
excellent MP (38 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (1,000 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
68
better than average battery pack (3,580 CIPA)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
supports touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica S2 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon D6 as a Landscape photography camera
61
manual focus
change lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3")
excellent MP (38 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low max ISO (1,250)
bad battery pack (1,000 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
80
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (102,400)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (3,580 CIPA)
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica S2 Vlogging highlights
Nikon D6 Vlogging highlights
9
can't record video
30
has touchscreen
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
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Leica S2 vs Nikon D6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica S2 and Nikon D6
 Leica S2Nikon D6
General Information
Company Leica Nikon
Model Leica S2 Nikon D6
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Announced 2008-09-23 2020-02-11
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed 6
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Medium format Full frame
Sensor dimensions 45 x 30mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 1,350.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 38MP 21MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 7500 x 5000 5568 x 3712
Highest native ISO 1250 102400
Highest enhanced ISO - 3280000
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 105
Cross focus points - 105
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Nikon F
Available lenses 30 309
Focal length multiplier 0.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 2,359k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.86x 0.72x
Features
Min shutter speed 32s 900s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 14.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Normal, redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, rear-curtain sync, off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1410g (3.11 lbs) 1270g (2.80 lbs)
Physical dimensions 160 x 120 x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") 160 x 163 x 92mm (6.3" x 6.4" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 76 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 824 not tested
Other
Battery life 1000 photographs 3580 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - Dual XQD/CFexpress slots
Card slots Single Dual
Price at release $0 $6,496