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Leica M8 vs Nikon D3000

The Leica M8 and the Nikon D3000 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in September 2006 and July 2009. The M8 is a rangefinder-focusing mirrorless camera, while the D3000 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on an APS-H (M8) and an APS-C (D3000) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 10.4 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 10 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Leica M8
versus
Nikon D3000
Leica M8   Nikon D3000
Rangefinder camera Digital single lens reflex
Leica M mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
10.4 MP – APS-H sensor 10 MP – APS-C sensor
no Video no Video
ISO 160-2,500 ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
2.5" LCD – 230k dots 3.0" LCD – 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
2 shutter flaps per second 3 shutter flaps per second
550 shots per battery charge500 shots per battery charge
139 x 80 x 37 mm, 591 g 126 x 97 x 64 mm, 536 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica M8 and the Nikon D3000? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Leica M8 and the Nikon D3000. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The M8 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the D3000 is only available in black.

Size Leica M8 vs Nikon D3000
Compare M8 versus D3000 top
Comparison M8 or D3000 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D3000 is notably larger (10 percent) than the Leica M8. However, the D3000 is markedly lighter (9 percent) than the M8. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the M8 nor the D3000 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Leica M Lens Catalog (M8) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D3000).

Concerning battery life, the M8 gets 550 shots out of its Leica BLI-312 battery, while the D3000 can take 500 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL9a power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica M8 139 mm 80 mm 37 mm 591 g 550 n Sep 2006 5,499ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D3000 126 mm 97 mm 64 mm 536 g 500 n Jul 2009 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon T3 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 449ebay.com
4.
 
Canon XTi 127 mm 84 mm 65 mm 556 g 370 n Aug 2006 799ebay.com
5.
 
Leica M10 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
6.
 
Leica M Typ 262 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g 400 Y Nov 2015 5,195ebay.com
7.
 
Leica M9 139 mm 80 mm 37 mm 585 g 550 n Sep 2009 7,999ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D3100 124 mm 96 mm 75 mm 505 g 550 n Aug 2010 599ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D60 126 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 500 n Jan 2008 629ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D40X 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 520 n Mar 2007 729ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D40 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 470 n Nov 2006 499ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D80 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 668 g 600 n Aug 2006 999ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic L10 135 mm 96 mm 78 mm 556 g 450 n Aug 2007 599ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The D3000 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 89 percent) than the M8, which puts it into a different market segment. 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.

Sensor comparison

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. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica M8 features an APS-H sensor and the Nikon D3000 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the D3000 is 23 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.3 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Leica M8 and Nikon D3000 sensor measures

With 10.4MP, the M8 offers a slightly higher resolution than the D3000 (10MP), but the M8 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.84μm versus 6.11μm for the D3000) due to its larger sensor. However, the D3000 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 10 months) than the M8, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the M8 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The Leica M8 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 160 to ISO 2500. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D3000 are ISO 100 to ISO 1600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-3200.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CCD (Charged Coupled Device) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

M8 versus D3000 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many 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 Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Leica M8 APS-H 10.4 3936 2630none21.111.366359
2.
 
Nikon D3000 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.156362
3.
 
Canon T3 APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
4.
 
Canon XTi APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.066462
5.
 
Leica M10 Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none24.413.2213386
6.
 
Leica M Typ 262 Full Frame 23.7 5952 3976none24.813.7247890
7.
 
Leica M9 Full Frame 18.1 5212 3472none22.511.788469
8.
 
Nikon D3100 APS-C 14.2 4608 30721080/24p22.511.391967
9.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
10.
 
Nikon D60 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.511.456265
11.
 
Nikon D40X APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.411.451663
12.
 
Nikon D40 APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none21.011.056156
13.
 
Nikon D80 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.111.252461
14.
 
Panasonic L10 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.310.842955
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Neither the M8 nor the D3000 offer Live View, so that they cannot project the live image that the sensor receives onto the rear screen. Moreover, both cameras are still-image focused and cannot record videos.
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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The M8 and the D3000 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica M8, the Nikon D3000, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Leica M8optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 2.0/s n n
2.
 
Nikon D3000optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon T3optical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon XTioptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
5.
 
Leica M10optical n3.0 / 1037 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
6.
 
Leica M Typ 262optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
7.
 
Leica M9optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 2.0/s n n
8.
 
Nikon D3100optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D60optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D40Xoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D40optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
13.
 
Nikon D80optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
14.
 
Panasonic L10optical n2.5 / 207 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The D3000 has one, while the M8 does not. While the built-in flash of the D3000 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The M8 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the D3000 uses SDHC cards.

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Connectivity 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 Leica M8 and Nikon D3000 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica M8Y- / ----2.0---
2.
 
Nikon D3000Y- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Canon T3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
4.
 
Canon XTiY- / ----2.0---
5.
 
Leica M10Y- / -----Y--
6.
 
Leica M Typ 262Y- / ----2.0---
7.
 
Leica M9Y- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D60Y- / ----2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D40XY- / ----2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D40Y- / ----2.0---
13.
 
Nikon D80Y- / ----2.0---
14.
 
Panasonic L10Y- / ----2.0---
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Both the M8 and the D3000 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The M8 was replaced by the Leica M9, while the D3000 was followed by the Nikon D3100. Further information on the features and operation of the M8 and D3000 can be found, respectively, in the Leica M8 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D3000 Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Leica M8 or the Nikon D3000 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Reasons to prefer the Leica M8:

  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in September 2006).

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Arguments in favor of the Nikon D3000:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (1.2 bits more color depth).
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3 vs 2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (89 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 10 months of technical progress since the M8 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D3000 emerges as the winner of the match-up (7 : 4 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

M8 04:07 D3000

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the M8 and the D3000 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica M8......+ +.... Sep 2006 5,499ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D3000..+..72/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon T3..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 449ebay.com
4.
 
Canon XTi..+ +..+ +o4/5 Aug 2006 799ebay.com
5.
 
Leica M104.5/5......4/54.5/5 Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
6.
 
Leica M Typ 262............ Nov 2015 5,195ebay.com
7.
 
Leica M9........4.5/5.. Sep 2009 7,999ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D31005/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2010 599ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D60..80/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 629ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D40X..79/100..+ +4/54/5 Mar 2007 729ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D40..81/100..+ +o4.5/5 Nov 2006 499ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D80..+..+ +o4.5/5 Aug 2006 999ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic L10..85/100..+3.5/54/5 Aug 2007 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As 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: Leica M8 vs Nikon D3000

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Leica M8 Nikon D3000
    Camera Type Rangefinder camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Leica M mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2006 July 2009
    Launch Price USD 5,499 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Leica M8 Nikon D3000
    Sensor Technology CCD CCD
    Sensor Format APS-H Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 27.0 x 18.0 mm 23.6 x 15.8 mm
    Sensor Area 486 mm2 372.88 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 32.4 mm 28.4 mm
    Crop Factor 1.3x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 10.4 Megapixels 10 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3936 x 2630 pixels 3872 x 2592 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 6.84 μm 6.11 μm
    Pixel Density 2.13 MP/cm2 2.69 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video no Video
    ISO Setting 160 - 2,500 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 100 - 3,200 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 59 62
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.1 22.3
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.3 11.1
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 663 563
    Screen Specs Leica M8 Nikon D3000
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.53x
    Rear LCD Size 2.5inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Leica M8 Nikon D3000
    Focus System Manual Focus Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 2 shutter flaps/s 3 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDHC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Leica M8 Nikon D3000
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Leica M8 Nikon D3000
    Battery Type Leica BLI-312 Nikon EN-EL9a
    Battery Life (CIPA)550 shots per charge500 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37 mm
    (5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5 in)
    126 x 97 x 64 mm
    (5.0 x 3.8 x 2.5 in)
    Camera Weight 591 g (20.8 oz) 536 g (18.9 oz)
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