Contax N Digital Comparison Review
The Contax N Digital is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was officially introduced in February 2002 and is equipped with a full frame sensor. It offers a resolution of 6.1 megapixel.
Is the Contax N Digital a good camera? The N Digital has a Camera Elo of 982. This rating puts the N Digital below average of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (full frame cameras), the N Digital also ranks below average. – Well, the Contax N Digital is more than 18 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2002.
Contax N Digital |
---|
Digital single lens reflex |
Contax N mount lenses |
6.1 MP, Full Frame Sensor |
no Video |
ISO 50 - 1 600 |
Optical viewfinder |
2.0 LCD, 200k dots |
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) |
4 shutter flaps per second |
100 shots per battery charge |
152 x 138 x 80 mm, 990 g |
Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.
Body comparison with a credit card
The physical dimensions of the Contax N Digital relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.



The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Contax N Digital alongside a set of comparators. If you want to review a camera pair side-by-side, just select a right-side comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) | Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contax N Digital | 6.0 in | 5.4 in | 3.1 in | 34.9 oz | 100 | n | Feb 2002 | 7,399 | ||
Canon 10D | 5.9 in | 4.2 in | 3.0 in | 30.0 oz | 500 | n | Feb 2003 | 1,999 | ||
Canon Rebel | 5.6 in | 3.9 in | 2.8 in | 22.9 oz | 400 | n | Aug 2003 | 899 | ||
Canon 1Ds | 6.1 in | 6.2 in | 3.1 in | 44.6 oz | 600 | Y | Sep 2002 | 8,999 | ||
Canon D60 | 5.9 in | 4.2 in | 3.0 in | 30.2 oz | 620 | n | Feb 2002 | 2,999 | ||
Leica M10-P | 5.5 in | 3.1 in | 1.5 in | 23.3 oz | 210 | Y | Aug 2018 | 7,995 | ||
Leica M10 | 5.5 in | 3.1 in | 1.5 in | 23.3 oz | 210 | Y | Jan 2017 | 6,595 | ||
Leica SL | 5.8 in | 4.1 in | 1.5 in | 29.9 oz | 400 | Y | Oct 2015 | 7,450 | ||
Leica M9 | 5.5 in | 3.1 in | 1.5 in | 20.6 oz | .. | n | Sep 2009 | 7,999 | ||
Nikon D100 | 5.7 in | 4.6 in | 3.2 in | 27.5 oz | 370 | n | Feb 2002 | 1,999 | ||
Nikon D1X | 6.2 in | 6.0 in | 3.3 in | 38.8 oz | 1200 | Y | Feb 2001 | 5,999 | ||
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | ||||||||||
The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Contax N Digital was launched in the US market at a price of $7,399. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
check offers at ebay
Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide
The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.
The Contax N Digital features a full frame sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.0. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Contax N Digital among the large-sensor cameras that aim for top notch image quality.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports | DXO Overall |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contax N Digital | Full Frame | 6.1 | 3040 | 2008 | none | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Canon 10D | APS-C | 6.3 | 3072 | 2048 | none | 21.1 | 10.9 | 571 | 57 | |
Canon Rebel | APS-C | 6.3 | 3072 | 2048 | none | 21.0 | 10.8 | 544 | 55 | |
Canon 1Ds | Full Frame | 11.0 | 4064 | 2704 | none | 21.8 | 11.0 | 954 | 63 | |
Canon D60 | APS-C | 6.3 | 3072 | 2048 | none | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Leica M10-P | Full Frame | 23.8 | 5952 | 3992 | none | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Leica M10 | Full Frame | 23.8 | 5952 | 3992 | none | 24.4 | 13.2 | 2133 | 86 | |
Leica SL | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 25.0 | 13.4 | 1821 | 88 | |
Leica M9 | Full Frame | 18.1 | 5212 | 3472 | none | 22.5 | 11.7 | 884 | 69 | |
Nikon D100 | APS-C | 6.0 | 3008 | 2000 | none | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Nikon D1X | APS-C | 5.9 | 3008 | 1960 | none | .. | .. | .. | .. |
It should be noted that unlike many modern cameras, the N Digital does not provide the possibility to capture videos.
Feature comparison
Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the N Digital has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 95% and a magnification of 0.73x. The tables below summarize some of the other core capabilities of the Contax N Digital in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.
Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Size (inch) |
LCD Resolution (000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Mech Shutter Speed |
Shutter Flaps (1/sec) | Built-in Flash (yes/no) | Built-in Image Stab |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contax N Digital | optical | Y | 2.0 | 200 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 4.0 | n | n | |
Canon 10D | optical | Y | 1.8 | 118 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0 | Y | n | |
Canon Rebel | optical | n | 1.8 | 118 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.5 | Y | n | |
Canon 1Ds | optical | Y | 2.0 | 120 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 3.0 | n | n | |
Canon D60 | optical | Y | 1.8 | 114 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0 | Y | n | |
Leica M10-P | optical | n | 3.0 | 1037 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0 | n | n | |
Leica M10 | optical | n | 3.0 | 1037 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 5.0 | n | n | |
Leica SL | 4400 | Y | 3.0 | 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 11.0 | n | n | |
Leica M9 | optical | n | 2.5 | 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.0 | n | n | |
Nikon D100 | optical | Y | 1.8 | 118 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0 | Y | n | |
Nikon D1X | optical | Y | 2.0 | 120 | fixed | n | 1/16000s | 3.0 | n | n |
One useful feature of the N Digital is a presence of a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.
Connection comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Contax N Digital and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Microphone |
Internal Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support | NFC Support | Bluetooth Support |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contax N Digital | Y | - | - | - | - | - | FW | - | - | - | |
Canon 10D | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 1.1 | - | - | - | |
Canon Rebel | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 1.1 | - | - | - | |
Canon 1Ds | Y | - | - | - | - | - | FW | - | - | - | |
Canon D60 | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 1.1 | - | - | - | |
Leica M10-P | Y | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | |
Leica M10 | Y | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | |
Leica SL | Y | stereo | mono | Y | Y | full | 3.0 | Y | - | - | |
Leica M9 | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Nikon D100 | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 1.1 | - | - | - | |
Nikon D1X | Y | - | - | - | - | - | FW | - | - | - |
Expert reviews
While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the N Digital handle or perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is why expert reviews are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog).
Camera Model |
camera labs |
dp review |
ephoto zine |
imaging resource |
photography blog |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contax N Digital | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Feb 2002 | 7,399 | ||
Canon 10D | .. | + + | .. | o | .. | Feb 2003 | 1,999 | ||
Canon Rebel | .. | + + | .. | o | .. | Aug 2003 | 899 | ||
Canon 1Ds | .. | + + | .. | .. | .. | Sep 2002 | 8,999 | ||
Canon D60 | .. | + + | o | .. | .. | Feb 2002 | 2,999 | ||
Leica M10-P | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | Aug 2018 | 7,995 | ||
Leica M10 | .. | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | Jan 2017 | 6,595 | ||
Leica SL | .. | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Oct 2015 | 7,450 | ||
Leica M9 | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | .. | Sep 2009 | 7,999 | ||
Nikon D100 | .. | + + | o | o | .. | Feb 2002 | 1,999 | ||
Nikon D1X | .. | + + | .. | o | .. | Feb 2001 | 5,999 | ||
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.
Contax N Digital FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the N Digital.
What type of imaging sensor is used in the N Digital?
The camera features a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) sensor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the N Digital?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 50 to ISO 1600.
What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Contax N Digital?
Contax does not publish a shutter rating for the N Digital. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.
What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with flash?
The N Digital's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.
Camera to camera comparisons
If you would like to see a side-by-side review of this and another camera, just make your choice using the following search menu. 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 | Contax N Digital | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | |
Camera Lens | Contax N mount lenses | |
Launch Date | February 2002 | |
Launch Price | USD 7 399 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CCD | |
Sensor Format | Full Frame Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 36.0 x 24.0 mm | |
Sensor Area | 864 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 43.3 mm | |
Crop Factor | 1.0x | |
Sensor Resolution | 6.1 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 3 040 x 2 008 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 11.90 μm | |
Pixel Density | 0.71 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
Movie Capability | no Video | |
ISO Setting | 50 - 1 600 ISO | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 95% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.73x | |
Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | |
LCD Size | 200k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Phase-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 4 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 100 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | |
Storage Medium | CF cards | |
Second Storage Option | Single card slot | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | |
USB Connector | Firewire | |
HDMI Port | no HDMI | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | 4xAA power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 100 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
152 x 138 x 80 mm (6.0 x 5.4 x 3.1 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 990 g (34.9 oz) |
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