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Leica S2 vs Olympus E-1

Portability
52
Imaging
74
Features
43
Overall
61
Leica S2 front
 
Olympus E-1 front
Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-1 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
Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Revealed November 2003
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-3
Photography Glossary

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-1 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Leica S2 and Olympus E-1, both Pro DSLR cameras by brands Leica and Olympus. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the S2 (38MP) and E-1 (5MP) and the S2 (Medium format) and E-1 (Four Thirds) possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The S2 was released 4 years later than the E-1 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the S2 scores vs the E-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Olympus E-1

 S2 E-1 
RevealedSeptember 2008November 2003More recent by 59 months
Screen sizing3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution460k134kSharper screen (+326k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Leica S2

 E-1 S2 

Common features in the Leica S2 and Olympus E-1

 S2 E-1 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Leica S2 provides outside dimensions of 160mm x 120mm x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") along with a weight of 1410 grams (3.11 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-1 has sizing of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") and a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs).

Compare the Leica S2 and Olympus E-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the S2 compared to the E-1.

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S2 and E-1 is 52 and 59 respectively.

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-1 top view buttons comparison

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to see the gap in sensor measurements just by researching specs. The graphic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the S2 and E-1.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The S2 due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Leica S2 will render extra detail as a result of its extra 33 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger S2 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-1 sensor size comparison

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-1 as a Portrait photography camera
76
you can focus manually
great MP (38 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
46
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
low MP (5 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica S2 Street photography advice
Olympus E-1 Street photography advice
51
sensor size is big (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
maximum ISO low (1,250)
57
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
lighter than others in class (735g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica S2 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-1 as a Sports photography camera
58
great MP (38 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low battery (1,000 shots)
40
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (5 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Leica S2 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-1 Travel photography advice
45
great MP (38MP)
lack of Timelapse function
low battery (1,000 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
47
lighter than others in class (735g)
weather proof
no Time Lapse function
low MP (5MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica S2 Landscape photography details
Olympus E-1 Landscape photography details
62
you can focus manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
great MP (38MP)
sensor size is big (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
maximum ISO low (1,250)
low battery (1,000 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
46
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
small screen (1.8 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low MP (5 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica S2 Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-1 Vlogging highlights
9
can't record video
9
no video
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Leica S2 vs Olympus E-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica S2 and Olympus E-1
 Leica S2Olympus E-1
General Information
Company Leica Olympus
Model Leica S2 Olympus E-1
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Announced 2008-09-23 2003-11-29
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Medium format Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 45 x 30mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 1,350.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 38 megapixels 5 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3
Max resolution 7500 x 5000 2560 x 1920
Max native ISO 1250 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 30 45
Crop factor 0.8 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 1.8"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 134k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.86x 0.48x
Features
Min shutter speed 32s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None None
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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1410 gr (3.11 lb) 735 gr (1.62 lb)
Dimensions 160 x 120 x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
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 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $0 $1,700