How many Megapixels does the Leica S1 have?
The Leica S1 Pro is equipped with a a medium format sensor that offers an image resolution of 26.4 megapixels (MP), or 26.4 million pixels. With its native aspect ratio of 4:3, the sensor has 5 140 horizontal pixels and 5 140 vertical pixels.
A 35mm film slide or negative contains 5-15 MP of useful detail, so that the Leica S1 can be considered to be a high-resolution camera that outresolves any 35mm film camera.
A high megapixel count makes it possible to crop any captured image substantially or to make very large prints from the image file. On the downside, large megapixel files are slower to transfer and take up more storage space on the computer harddisk. Also, high-resolution imaging requires sharper, more expensive lenses than low-res picture taking.
How large can I print with 26.4 MP?
The maximum print size of the Leica S1 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.7 x 25.7 inches or 65.3 x 65.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.6 x 20.6 inches or 52.2 x 52.2 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.1 x 17.1 inches or 43.5 x 43.5 cm. Few people actually print their images that large on a regular basis, but it is nice to have the option to make very large prints of exceptional shots. Also, as mentioned earlier, a key advantage of high-MP cameras is that it is possible to crop an image ex-post and thereby, for example, change the composition of the capture or zoom in on some detail.
Sensor specs and performance
The table below compares the sensor specs of the Leica S1 to those of several similar cameras. In addition to sensor class and megapixel count, DXO values are reported as indicators of the sensor's imaging quality (higher is better). Three aspects are covered: color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape), and high-ISO noise (DXO Sports). Larger sensor cameras tend to outperform cameras of the same generation that are equipped with a smaller imager. On the other hand, larger sensors are more expensive and require bigger and heavier lenses than smaller light receptors.
# | Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Leica S1 | Medium Format | 26.4 | 5140 | 5140 | none | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
2. | Canon RP | Full Frame | 26.0 | 6240 | 4160 | 4K/30p | 24.3 | 11.9 | 2977 | 85 | |
3. | Canon SL3 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/25p | 23.9 | 13.4 | 1791 | 82 | |
4. | Fujifilm X-T30 | APS-C | 26.0 | 6240 | 4160 | 4K/30p | 24.1 | 13.5 | 1895 | 83 | |
5. | Leica M-E Typ 240 | Full Frame | 23.7 | 5952 | 3976 | 1080/25p | 25.2 | 14.2 | 2821 | 94 | |
6. | Leica CL | APS-C | 24.1 | 6014 | 4014 | 4K/30p | 24.0 | 13.3 | 1788 | 82 | |
7. | Leica TL2 | APS-C | 24.1 | 6014 | 4014 | 4K/30p | 23.9 | 13.3 | 1753 | 82 | |
8. | Leica Q Typ 116 | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.3 | 12.7 | 2221 | 85 | |
9. | Leica S2 | Medium Format | 37.5 | 7500 | 5000 | none | 23.9 | 12.5 | 2224 | 82 | |
10. | Sony A6400 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 24.0 | 13.6 | 1431 | 83 | |
11. | Sony A6100 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 24.1 | 13.6 | 1947 | 84 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
In the United States, the S1 was initially launched in August 1996 at a price of $21,490.
Camera to camera comparisons
If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
Camera Model | Leica S1 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | |
Camera Lens | Leica R mount lenses | |
Launch Date | August 1996 | |
Launch Price | USD 21 490 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CCD | |
Sensor Format | Medium Format Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 36.0 x 36.0 mm | |
Sensor Area | 1 296 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 50.9 mm | |
Crop Factor | 0.85x | |
Sensor Resolution | 26.4 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 5 140 x 5 140 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 7.01 μm | |
Pixel Density | 2.04 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | no AA filter | |
Movie Capability | no Video | |
ISO Setting | 50 - 1 600 ISO | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
LCD Size | no LCD | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
Continuous Shooting | 0.01 shutter flaps/s | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | |
Storage Medium | External storage | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | no Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | no USB | |
HDMI Port | no HDMI | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | Leica external power pack | |
Body Dimensions |
339 x 214 x 119 mm (13.3 x 8.4 x 4.7 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 2 500 g (88.2 oz) |
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