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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.

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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.

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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.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   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 5140none........
2.
 
Canon RP Full Frame 26.0 6240 41604K/30p24.311.9297785
3.
 
Canon SL3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/25p23.913.4179182
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 APS-C 26.0 6240 41604K/30p24.113.5189583
5.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p25.214.2282194
6.
 
Leica CL APS-C 24.1 6014 40144K/30p24.013.3178882
7.
 
Leica TL2 APS-C 24.1 6014 40144K/30p23.913.3175382
8.
 
Leica Q Typ 116 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.312.7222185
9.
 
Leica S2 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000none23.912.5222482
10.
 
Sony A6400 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.013.6143183
11.
 
Sony A6100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.113.6194784
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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In the United States, the S1 was initially launched in August 1996 at a price of $21,490.

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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.

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    Specifications Summary
    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 Aidno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 0.01 shutter flaps/s
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno 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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