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Leica SL2 vs Nikon D3S

Portability
57
Imaging
80
Features
83
Overall
81
Leica SL2 front
 
Nikon D3S front
Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D3S Key Specs

Leica SL2
(Full Review)
  • 47MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 835g - 146 x 107 x 83mm
  • Released November 2019
  • Previous Model is Leica SL
Nikon D3S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Expand to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1240g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Released February 2010
  • Superseded the Nikon D3
  • Updated by Nikon D4
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Leica SL2 vs Nikon D3S Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Leica SL2 versus Nikon D3S, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro DSLR by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the SL2 (47MP) and D3S (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The SL2 was brought out 9 years later than the D3S and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Leica SL2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon D3S being a Large SLR camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SL2 grades vs the D3S for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica SL2 over the Nikon D3S

 SL2 D3S 
ReleasedNovember 2019February 2010Fresher by 119 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k921kClearer screen (+1179k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Leica SL2

 D3S SL2 

Common features in the Leica SL2 and Nikon D3S

 SL2 D3S 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D3S Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Leica SL2 has exterior measurements of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") having a weight of 835 grams (1.84 lbs) and the Nikon D3S has sizing of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") and a weight of 1240 grams (2.73 lbs).

Analyze the Leica SL2 versus Nikon D3S in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SL2 and the D3S.

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D3S size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SL2 and D3S is 57 and 51 respectively.

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D3S top view buttons comparison

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D3S Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading through a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SL2 and D3S.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Leica SL2 to give you greater detail having its extra 35MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more modern SL2 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D3S sensor size comparison

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D3S Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D3S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica SL2
Portrait photography with Nikon D3S
88
has manual focus
sensor resolution is excellent (47MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
64
focusing manually
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica SL2 Street photography highlights
Nikon D3S Street photography highlights
72
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
has touch focus
weather proofing
above average ISO range (50,000)
fixed screen
55
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL2 Sports photography factors
Nikon D3S Sports photography factors
80
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/40,000 seconds)
high fps (20.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is excellent (47 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
low battery (370 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
66
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
great battery life (4,200 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL2 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D3S as a Travel photography camera
65
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
has touch focus
sensor resolution is excellent (47 megapixels)
low battery (370 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
great battery life (4,200 per charge)
environment proof
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica SL2 Landscape photography details
Nikon D3S Landscape photography details
83
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is excellent (47 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (50,000)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
low battery (370 shots)
67
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
great battery life (4,200 shots)
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL2 Vlogging features
Nikon D3S Vlogging features
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
has mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
15
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
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Leica SL2 vs Nikon D3S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL2 and Nikon D3S
 Leica SL2Nikon D3S
General Information
Make Leica Nikon
Model Leica SL2 Nikon D3S
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro DSLR
Released 2019-11-06 2010-02-16
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Maestro III Expeed
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 47 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Max resolution 8368 x 5584 4256 x 2832
Max native ISO 50000 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 225 51
Cross focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Nikon F
Total lenses 30 309
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 2,100 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1800s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/40000s -
Continuous shutter speed 20.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 835 grams (1.84 lbs) 1240 grams (2.73 lbs)
Physical dimensions 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.0
DXO Low light score not tested 3253
Other
Battery life 370 photographs 4200 photographs
Type of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model BP-SCL4 EN-EL4a
Self timer Yes Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA
Storage slots Two Two
Cost at release $5,995 $5,200