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Leica S2 vs Nikon Z7

Portability
52
Imaging
74
Features
43
Overall
61
Leica S2 front
 
Nikon Z7 front
Portability
62
Imaging
79
Features
89
Overall
83

Leica S2 vs Nikon Z7 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
  • Revealed September 2008
Nikon Z7
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 68mm
  • Introduced August 2018
  • Renewed by Nikon Z7 II
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Leica S2 vs Nikon Z7 Overview

The following is a detailed analysis of the Leica S2 versus Nikon Z7, former is a Pro DSLR while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. The resolution of the S2 (38MP) and the Z7 (46MP) is very comparable but the S2 (Medium format) and Z7 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor size.

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The S2 was introduced 11 years earlier than the Z7 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Leica S2 being a Large SLR camera and the Nikon Z7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple overview of how the S2 grades against the Z7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Nikon Z7

 S2 Z7 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z7 over the Leica S2

 Z7 S2 
IntroducedAugust 2018September 2008Newer by 120 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k460kSharper display (+1640k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica S2 and Nikon Z7

 S2 Z7 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Leica S2 vs Nikon Z7 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Leica S2 comes with external dimensions of 160mm x 120mm x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") with a weight of 1410 grams (3.11 lbs) whilst the Nikon Z7 has sizing of 134mm x 101mm x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs).

Look at the Leica S2 versus Nikon Z7 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the S2 compared to the Z7.

Leica S2 vs Nikon Z7 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S2 and Z7 is 52 and 62 respectively.

Leica S2 vs Nikon Z7 top view buttons comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon Z7 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions purely by going through technical specs. The pic below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the S2 and Z7.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The S2 using its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Nikon Z7 will produce greater detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged S2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica S2 vs Nikon Z7 sensor size comparison

Leica S2 vs Nikon Z7 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica S2 vs Nikon Z7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica S2 Portrait photography advice
Nikon Z7 Portrait photography advice
76
has manual focus
MP count high (38 megapixels)
large sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
87
focusing manually
amazing sensor resolution (46MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica S2 Street photography details
Nikon Z7 Street photography details
51
large sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
max ISO too low (1,250)
79
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
offers touch focus
environment proofing
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Leica S2 Sports photography features
Nikon Z7 Sports photography features
58
MP count high (38 megapixels)
large sensor size (Medium format)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
not so great battery (1,000 shots)
83
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing sensor resolution (46MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
bad battery (330 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica S2
Travel photography with Nikon Z7
45
MP count high (38MP)
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery (1,000 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
67
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
offers touch focus
amazing sensor resolution (46MP)
bad battery (330 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica S2 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon Z7 as a Landscape photography camera
62
has manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count high (38MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
max ISO too low (1,250)
not so great battery (1,000 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
83
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing sensor resolution (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
bad battery (330 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica S2 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon Z7 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
36
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
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Leica S2 vs Nikon Z7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica S2 and Nikon Z7
 Leica S2Nikon Z7
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Nikon
Model type Leica S2 Nikon Z7
Class Pro DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2008-09-23 2018-08-23
Body design Large SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Expeed 6
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Medium format Full frame
Sensor measurements 45 x 30mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 1,350.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 38MP 46MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 7500 x 5000 8256 x 5504
Highest native ISO 1250 25600
Highest boosted ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO - 32
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 493
Lens
Lens support Leica L Nikon Z
Total lenses 30 15
Focal length multiplier 0.8 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 2,100k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,690k dot
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.86x 0.8x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 32s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1410 gr (3.11 lbs) 675 gr (1.49 lbs)
Dimensions 160 x 120 x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") 134 x 101 x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 76 99
DXO Color Depth rating 23.9 26.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 14.6
DXO Low light rating 824 2668
Other
Battery life 1000 images 330 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer - Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media - XQD card
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $0 $2,797