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Leica S1 vs Nikon D3

The Leica S1 Pro and the Nikon D3 are two professional cameras that were announced, respectively, in August 1996 and August 2007. The S1 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the D3 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a medium format (S1) and a full frame (D3) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 26.4 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 12.1 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Leica S1
versus
Nikon D3
Leica S1   Nikon D3
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Leica R mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
26.4 MP – Medium Format sensor 12.1 MP – Full Frame sensor
no Video no Video
ISO 50-1,600 ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 25,600)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
no LCD 3.0" LCD – 922k dots
no rear screen Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
0.01 shutter flaps per second 11 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
339 x 214 x 119 mm, 2500 g 160 x 157 x 88 mm, 1300 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica S1 Pro and the Nikon D3? 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 S1 and the Nikon D3. 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.

Size Leica S1 vs Nikon D3
Compare S1 versus D3 top
Comparison S1 or D3 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D3 is considerably smaller (65 percent) than the Leica S1. Moreover, the D3 is substantially lighter (48 percent) than the S1. It is noteworthy in this context that the D3 is splash and dust-proof, while the S1 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

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 R Lens Catalog (S1) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D3). Mirrorless cameras, such as the Leica S1, have moreover the advantage that they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance and can thus use many lenses from other systems via adapters.

As can be seen in the images above, the D3 has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power.

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
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica S1 339 mm 214 mm 119 mm 2500 g .. i Aug 1996 US$ 21 499ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D3 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1300 g 4300 i Aug 2007 US$ 4 999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark III 156 mm 157 mm 80 mm 1155 g 2200 i Feb 2007 US$ 4 499ebay.com
4.
 
Canon RP 133 mm 85 mm 70 mm 485 g 250 i Feb 2019 US$ 1 299 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon SL3 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 449 g 1070 i Apr 2019 US$ 599 amazon.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 118 mm 83 mm 47 mm 383 g 380 i Feb 2019 US$ 899ebay.com
7.
 
Leica CL 131 mm 78 mm 45 mm 403 g 220 i Nov 2017 US$ 2 795ebay.com
8.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g 500 i Jun 2019 US$ 3 999ebay.com
9.
 
Leica Q Typ 116 130 mm 80 mm 93 mm 640 g 300 i Jun 2015 US$ 4 249ebay.com
10.
 
Leica S2 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1410 g .. i Sep 2008 US$ 22 999ebay.com
11.
 
Leica TL2 134 mm 69 mm 33 mm 399 g 250 i Jul 2017 US$ 1 949ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D3S 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1240 g 4200 i Oct 2009 US$ 5 199ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D3X 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1260 g 4400 i Dec 2008 US$ 7 999ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D4 160 mm 157 mm 91 mm 1340 g 2600 i Jan 2012 US$ 5 999ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D700 147 mm 123 mm 77 mm 1074 g 1000 i Jul 2008 US$ 2 999ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A6100 120 mm 67 mm 59 mm 396 g 420 i Aug 2019 US$ 749ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A6400 120 mm 67 mm 50 mm 403 g 410 i Jan 2019 US$ 899 amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
  empty Camera
Model

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 D3 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 77 percent) than the S1, 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.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica S1 features a medium format sensor and the Nikon D3 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the D3 is 34 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 0.85 and 1.0. The sensor in the S1 has a native 1:1 aspect ratio, while the one in the D3 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Leica S1 and Nikon D3 sensor measures

With 26.4MP, the S1 offers a higher resolution than the D3 (12.1MP), but the S1 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 7.01μm versus 8.43μm for the D3). Moreover, the D3 is a much more recent model (by 10 years and 11 months) than the S1, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the S1 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Leica S1 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 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. The corresponding values for the Nikon D3 are 21.3 x 14.2 inches or 54.1 x 36 cm for good quality, 17 x 11.3 inches or 43.2 x 28.8 cm for very good quality, and 14.2 x 9.4 inches or 36 x 24 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica S1 Pro has a native sensitivity range from ISO 50 to ISO 1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D3 are ISO 200 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

In terms of underlying technology, the S1 is build around a CCD sensor, while the D3 uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

S1 versus D3 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. 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
  empty 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 5140i........
2.
 
Nikon D3 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832i23.512.2229081
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark III APS-H 10.1 3888 2592i22.711.7107871
4.
 
Canon RP Full Frame 26.0 6240 41604K/30p24.311.9297785
5.
 
Canon SL3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/25p23.913.4179182
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 APS-C 26.0 6240 41604K/30p24.113.5189583
7.
 
Leica CL APS-C 24.1 6014 40144K/30p24.013.3178882
8.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p25.214.2282194
9.
 
Leica Q Typ 116 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.312.7222185
10.
 
Leica S2 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000i23.912.5222482
11.
 
Leica TL2 APS-C 24.1 6014 40144K/30p23.913.3175382
12.
 
Nikon D3S Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832720/24p23.512.0325382
13.
 
Nikon D3X Full Frame 24.4 6048 4032i24.713.7199288
14.
 
Nikon D4 Full Frame 16.2 4928 32801080/30p24.713.1296589
15.
 
Nikon D700 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832i23.512.2230380
16.
 
Sony A6100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.113.6194784
17.
 
Sony A6400 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.013.6143183
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
  empty Camera
Model
The D3 offers Live View, so that it can project the live image that the sensor receives onto the rear screen for framing. The S1 lacks this capability. Both cameras are still-image focused and cannot record videos.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The S1 and the D3 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 adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Leica S1 and Nikon D3 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
  empty 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 S1optical ii / i i i .. 0.01/s i i
2.
 
Nikon D3optical i3.0 / 922 fixed i 1/8000s 11.0/s i i
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIIoptical i3.0 / 230 fixed i 1/8000s 10.0/s i i
4.
 
Canon RP2360 i3.0 / 1040 swivel i 1/4000s 5.0/s i i
5.
 
Canon SL3optical i3.0 / 1040 swivel i 1/4000s 5.0/s i i
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T302360 i3.0 / 1040 tilting i 1/4000s 8.0/s i i
7.
 
Leica CL2360 i3.0 / 1040 fixed i 1/8000s 10.0/s i i
8.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240optical i3.0 / 920 fixed i 1/4000s 3.0/s i i
9.
 
Leica Q Typ 1163680 i3.0 / 1040 fixed i 1/2000s 10.0/s i i
10.
 
Leica S2optical i3.0 / 460 fixed i 1/4000s 1.5/s i i
11.
 
Leica TL2optional i3.7 / 1230 fixed i 1/4000s 7.0/s i i
12.
 
Nikon D3Soptical i3.0 / 921 fixed i 1/8000s 11.0/s i i
13.
 
Nikon D3Xoptical i3.0 / 922 fixed i 1/8000s 5.0/s i i
14.
 
Nikon D4optical i3.2 / 921 fixed i 1/8000s 11.0/s i i
15.
 
Nikon D700optical i3.0 / 922 fixed i 1/8000s 8.0/s i i
16.
 
Sony A61001440 i3.0 / 922 tilting i 1/4000s 11.0/s i i
17.
 
Sony A64002359 i3.0 / 922 tilting i 1/4000s 11.0/s i i
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
  empty 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
  empty Camera
Model

One feature that is present on the D3, but is missing on the S1 is 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.

The Nikon D3 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The S1 writes its imaging data to external storage, while the D3 uses Compact Flash cards.

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 S1 Pro and Nikon D3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica S1ii / iiiiiiii
2.
 
Nikon D3ii / iiimini2.0iii
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIIii / iiii2.0iii
4.
 
Canon RPistereo / monoiimicro2.0iii
5.
 
Canon SL3istereo / monoiimini2.0iii
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T30istereo / monoiimicro3.1iii
7.
 
Leica CListereo / monoiiiiiii
8.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240imono / iiii2.0iii
9.
 
Leica Q Typ 116istereo / monoiimicro2.0iii
10.
 
Leica S2ii / iiimini2.0iii
11.
 
Leica TL2istereo / monoiimicro3.0iii
12.
 
Nikon D3Sistereo / iiimini2.0iii
13.
 
Nikon D3Xii / iiimini2.0iii
14.
 
Nikon D4imono / monoiimicro2.0iii
15.
 
Nikon D700ii / iiimini2.0iii
16.
 
Sony A6100istereo / monoiimicro2.0iii
17.
 
Sony A6400istereo / monoiimicro2.0iii
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
  empty Camera
Model

It is notable that the D3 has a hotshoe, which makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun. The S1 does not feature such an accessory-socket.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D3 (unlike the S1) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the S1 and the D3 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The S1 was replaced by the Leica S2, while the D3 was followed by the Nikon D4. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Leica and Nikon websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Leica S1 or the Nikon D3 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Advantages of the Leica S1 Pro:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (26.4 vs 12.1MP) with a 42% higher linear resolution.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 1996).

ilogo

Arguments in favor of the Nikon D3:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Rear screen: Has a backside LCD (3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (11 vs 0.01 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (160x157mm vs 339x214mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 1200g or 48 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (77 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 10 years and 11 months of technical progress since the S1 launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the D3 is the clear winner of the contest (13 : 5 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

S1 05:13 D3

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica S1 and the Nikon D3 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the S1 or the D3 perform in practice. 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 why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear 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
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica S1............ Aug 1996 US$ 21 499ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D3......+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 US$ 4 999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark III............ Feb 2007 US$ 4 499ebay.com
4.
 
Canon RP4/5+4/5..4.5/54/5 Feb 2019 US$ 1 299 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon SL34/5o4.5/579/1004/54/5 Apr 2019 US$ 599 amazon.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T305/5+ +5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2019 US$ 899ebay.com
7.
 
Leica CL....4.2/5....4/5 Nov 2017 US$ 2 795ebay.com
8.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240............ Jun 2019 US$ 3 999ebay.com
9.
 
Leica Q Typ 1165/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2015 US$ 4 249ebay.com
10.
 
Leica S2............ Sep 2008 US$ 22 999ebay.com
11.
 
Leica TL23.5/5..3/5..4/54/5 Jul 2017 US$ 1 949ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D3S5/5....89/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2009 US$ 5 199ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D3X......86/1004/55/5 Dec 2008 US$ 7 999ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D4........4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2012 US$ 5 999ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D700..89/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2008 US$ 2 999ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A6100....4/582/1004/55/5 Aug 2019 US$ 749ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A64004/5+4/585/1004.5/54/5 Jan 2019 US$ 899 amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
  empty  Camera 
 Model 

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. 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, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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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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  • Fujifilm GFX 50S II
  • Fujifilm GFX 100
  • Fujifilm GFX 100 II
  • Fujifilm GFX 100RF
  • Fujifilm GFX 100S
  • Fujifilm GFX 100S II
  • Fujifilm X-A1
  • Fujifilm X-A2
  • Fujifilm X-A3
  • Fujifilm X-A5
  • Fujifilm X-A7
  • Fujifilm X-A10
  • Fujifilm X-E1
  • Fujifilm X-E2
  • Fujifilm X-E2S
  • Fujifilm X-E3
  • Fujifilm X-E4
  • Fujifilm X-E5
  • Fujifilm X-H1
  • Fujifilm X-H2
  • Fujifilm X-H2S
  • Fujifilm X-M1
  • Fujifilm X-M5
  • Fujifilm X-Pro1
  • Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • Fujifilm X-S10
  • Fujifilm X-S20
  • Fujifilm X-T1
  • Fujifilm X-T2
  • Fujifilm X-T3
  • Fujifilm X-T4
  • Fujifilm X-T5
  • Fujifilm X-T10
  • Fujifilm X-T20
  • Fujifilm X-T30
  • Fujifilm X-T30 II
  • Fujifilm X-T50
  • Fujifilm X-T100
  • Fujifilm X-T200
  • Fujifilm X10
  • Fujifilm X20
  • Fujifilm X30
  • Fujifilm X70
  • Fujifilm X100
  • Fujifilm X100S
  • Fujifilm X100T
  • Fujifilm X100F
  • Fujifilm X100V
  • Fujifilm X100VI
  • Fujifilm XF10
  • Fujifilm XQ1
  • Fujifilm XQ2
  • Fujifilm XP120
  • Fujifilm XP130
  • Fujifilm XP140
  • Hasselblad X1D
  • Hasselblad X1D II
  • Hasselblad X2D 100C
  • Kodak AZ901
  • Kodak S-1
  • Leica C-LUX
  • Leica CL
  • Leica D-LUX Typ 109
  • Leica D-LUX 5
  • Leica D-LUX 6
  • Leica D-LUX 7
  • Leica D-LUX 8
  • Leica Digilux 3
  • Leica M Typ 240
  • Leica M-E Typ 240
  • Leica M Typ 262
  • Leica M8
  • Leica M9
  • Leica M10
  • Leica M10-P
  • Leica M10-R
  • Leica M11
  • Leica Q Typ 116
  • Leica Q2
  • Leica Q3
  • Leica S1
  • Leica S2
  • Leica S3
  • Leica S Typ 006
  • Leica S-E Typ 006
  • Leica S Typ 007
  • Leica SL
  • Leica SL2
  • Leica SL2-S
  • Leica SL3
  • Leica SL3-S
  • Leica T
  • Leica TL
  • Leica TL2
  • Leica V-LUX 1
  • Leica V-LUX 2
  • Leica V-LUX 3
  • Leica V-LUX 4
  • Leica V-LUX Typ 114
  • Leica V-LUX 5
  • Leica X1
  • Leica X2
  • Leica X Vario
  • Leica X Typ 113
  • Leica X-U Typ 113
  • Leitz Ur-Leica
  • Nikon 1 J4
  • Nikon 1 J5
  • Nikon 1 V1
  • Nikon 1 V2
  • Nikon 1 V3
  • Nikon Coolpix A
  • Nikon A1000
  • Nikon B500
  • Nikon B600
  • Nikon B700
  • Nikon D1
  • Nikon D1H
  • Nikon D1X
  • Nikon D2H
  • Nikon D2X
  • Nikon D2Xs
  • Nikon D3
  • Nikon D3S
  • Nikon D3X
  • Nikon D4
  • Nikon D4S
  • Nikon D5
  • Nikon D6
  • Nikon D40
  • Nikon D40X
  • Nikon D50
  • Nikon D60
  • Nikon D70
  • Nikon D70s
  • Nikon D80
  • Nikon D90
  • Nikon D100
  • Nikon D200
  • Nikon D300
  • Nikon D300S
  • Nikon D500
  • Nikon D600
  • Nikon D610
  • Nikon D700
  • Nikon D750
  • Nikon D780
  • Nikon D800
  • Nikon D800E
  • Nikon D810
  • Nikon D850
  • Nikon D3000
  • Nikon D3100
  • Nikon D3200
  • Nikon D3300
  • Nikon D3400
  • Nikon D3500
  • Nikon D5000
  • Nikon D5100
  • Nikon D5200
  • Nikon D5300
  • Nikon D5500
  • Nikon D5600
  • Nikon D7000
  • Nikon D7100
  • Nikon D7200
  • Nikon D7500
  • Nikon Df
  • Nikon L840
  • Nikon P900
  • Nikon P950
  • Nikon P1000
  • Nikon P1100
  • Nikon P7800
  • Nikon W150
  • Nikon W300
  • Nikon Z5
  • Nikon Z5 II
  • Nikon Z6
  • Nikon Z6 II
  • Nikon Z6 III
  • Nikon Z7
  • Nikon Z7 II
  • Nikon Z8
  • Nikon Z9
  • Nikon Z30
  • Nikon Z50
  • Nikon Z50 II
  • Nikon Zf
  • Nikon Z fc
  • Olympus E-1
  • Olympus E-3
  • Olympus E-5
  • Olympus E-30
  • Olympus E-300
  • Olympus E-330
  • Olympus E-400
  • Olympus E-410
  • Olympus E-420
  • Olympus E-450
  • Olympus E-500
  • Olympus E-510
  • Olympus E-520
  • Olympus E-600
  • Olympus E-620
  • Olympus E-M1
  • Olympus E-M1 II
  • Olympus E-M1 III
  • Olympus E-M1X
  • Olympus E-M5
  • Olympus E-M5 II
  • Olympus E-M5 III
  • Olympus E-M10
  • Olympus E-M10 II
  • Olympus E-M10 III
  • Olympus E-M10 IV
  • Olympus E-P1
  • Olympus E-P2
  • Olympus E-P3
  • Olympus E-P5
  • Olympus E-P7
  • Olympus E-PL1
  • Olympus E-PL2
  • Olympus E-PL3
  • Olympus E-PL5
  • Olympus E-PL6
  • Olympus E-PL7
  • Olympus E-PL8
  • Olympus E-PL9
  • Olympus E-PL10
  • Olympus E-PM1
  • Olympus E-PM2
  • Olympus PEN-F
  • Olympus Stylus 1
  • Olympus Stylus 1s
  • Olympus TG-4
  • Olympus TG-5
  • Olympus TG-6
  • Olympus XZ-1
  • Olympus XZ-2
  • OM System OM-1
  • OM System OM-1 II
  • OM System OM-3
  • OM System OM-5
  • OM System OM-5 II
  • OM System TG-7
  • Panasonic FZ80
  • Panasonic FZ80D
  • Panasonic FZ100
  • Panasonic FZ150
  • Panasonic FZ200
  • Panasonic FZ300
  • Panasonic FZ1000
  • Panasonic FZ1000 II
  • Panasonic FZ2500
  • Panasonic G1
  • Panasonic G2
  • Panasonic G3
  • Panasonic G5
  • Panasonic G6
  • Panasonic G7
  • Panasonic G9
  • Panasonic G9 II
  • Panasonic G10
  • Panasonic G85
  • Panasonic G97
  • Panasonic G95
  • Panasonic G100
  • Panasonic GF1
  • Panasonic GF2
  • Panasonic GF3
  • Panasonic GF5
  • Panasonic GF6
  • Panasonic GF7
  • Panasonic GH1
  • Panasonic GH2
  • Panasonic GH3
  • Panasonic GH4
  • Panasonic GH5
  • Panasonic GH5 II
  • Panasonic GH5s
  • Panasonic GH6
  • Panasonic GH7
  • Panasonic GM1
  • Panasonic GM5
  • Panasonic GX1
  • Panasonic GX7
  • Panasonic GX8
  • Panasonic GX9
  • Panasonic GX85
  • Panasonic GX850
  • Panasonic L1
  • Panasonic L10
  • Panasonic LF1
  • Panasonic LX5
  • Panasonic LX7
  • Panasonic LX10
  • Panasonic LX100
  • Panasonic LX100 II
  • Panasonic S1
  • Panasonic S1 II
  • Panasonic S1H
  • Panasonic S1R
  • Panasonic S1R II
  • Panasonic S5
  • Panasonic S5 II
  • Panasonic S9
  • Panasonic TS7
  • Panasonic ZS70
  • Panasonic ZS80
  • Panasonic ZS100
  • Panasonic ZS200
  • Pentax 645D
  • Pentax 645Z
  • Pentax K-1
  • Pentax K-1 II
  • Pentax K-3
  • Pentax K-3 II
  • Pentax K-3 III
  • Pentax K-5
  • Pentax K-5 II
  • Pentax K-30
  • Pentax K-50
  • Pentax K-70
  • Pentax K-500
  • Pentax KP
  • Pentax K-S1
  • Pentax K-S2
  • Pentax MX-1
  • Pentax Q
  • Pentax WG-8
  • Pentax WG-90
  • Pentax WG-1000
  • Ricoh GR
  • Ricoh GR II
  • Ricoh GR III
  • Ricoh GR IIIx
  • Ricoh WG-6
  • Ricoh WG-60
  • Samsung NX1
  • Samsung NX30
  • Samsung NX500
  • Sigma fp
  • Sigma fp L
  • Sony A1
  • Sony A1 II
  • Sony A7
  • Sony A7 II
  • Sony A7 III
  • Sony A7 IV
  • Sony A7C
  • Sony A7C II
  • Sony A7C R
  • Sony A7R
  • Sony A7R II
  • Sony A7R III
  • Sony A7R IIIA
  • Sony A7R IV
  • Sony A7R IVA
  • Sony A7R V
  • Sony A7S
  • Sony A7S II
  • Sony A7S III
  • Sony A9
  • Sony A9 II
  • Sony A9 III
  • Sony A58
  • Sony A68
  • Sony A77
  • Sony A77 II
  • Sony A99
  • Sony A99 II
  • Sony A850
  • Sony A900
  • Sony A3000
  • Sony A5000
  • Sony A5100
  • Sony A6000
  • Sony A6100
  • Sony A6300
  • Sony A6400
  • Sony A6500
  • Sony A6600
  • Sony A6700
  • Sony H200
  • Sony H300
  • Sony H400
  • Sony HX80
  • Sony HX90V
  • Sony HX95
  • Sony HX99
  • Sony HX350
  • Sony HX400V
  • Sony NEX-3
  • Sony NEX-3N
  • Sony NEX-5
  • Sony NEX-5N
  • Sony NEX-5R
  • Sony NEX-5T
  • Sony NEX-6
  • Sony NEX-7
  • Sony NEX-C3
  • Sony NEX-F3
  • Sony RX0
  • Sony RX0 II
  • Sony RX1
  • Sony RX1R
  • Sony RX1R II
  • Sony RX1R III
  • Sony RX10
  • Sony RX10 II
  • Sony RX10 III
  • Sony RX10 IV
  • Sony RX100
  • Sony RX100 II
  • Sony RX100 III
  • Sony RX100 IV
  • Sony RX100 V
  • Sony RX100 VI
  • Sony RX100 VII
  • Sony WX800
  • Sony ZV-1
  • Sony ZV-1 II
  • Sony ZV-1F
  • Sony ZV-E1
  • Sony ZV-E10
  • Sony ZV-E10 II
  • YI M1
  • Zeiss ZX1
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Specifications: Leica S1 vs Nikon D3

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 S1 Nikon D3
Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Camera Lens Leica R mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
Launch Date August 1996 August 2007
Launch Price USD 21,499 USD 4,999
Sensor Specs Leica S1 Nikon D3
Sensor Technology CCD CMOS
Sensor Format Medium Format Sensor Full Frame Sensor
Sensor Size 36.0 x 36.0 mm 36.0 x 23.9 mm
Sensor Area 1296 mm2 860.4 mm2
Sensor Diagonal 50.9 mm 43.2 mm
Crop Factor 0.85x 1.0x
Sensor Resolution 26.4 Megapixels 12.1 Megapixels
Image Resolution 5140 x 5140 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
Pixel Pitch 7.01 μm 8.43 μm
Pixel Density 2.04 MP/cm2 1.40 MP/cm2
Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
Movie Capability no Video no Video
ISO Setting 50 - 1,600 ISO 200 - 6,400 ISO
ISO Boost no Enhancement 100 - 25,600 ISO
DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 81
DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 23.5
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 12.2
DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 2290
Screen Specs Leica S1 Nikon D3
Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.70x
Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
LCD Framing Live View
Rear LCD Size 3.0inch
LCD Resolution no LCD 922k dots
LCD Attachment Fixed screen
Shooting Specs Leica S1 Nikon D3
Focus System Manual Focus Phase-detect AF
Continuous Shooting 0.01 shutter flaps/s 11 shutter flaps/s
Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
Storage Medium external CF cards
Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots
Connectivity Specs Leica S1 Nikon D3
External Flash no Hotshoe Hotshoe
Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
USB Connector no USB USB 2.0
HDMI Port no HDMI mini HDMI
Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
Body Specs Leica S1 Nikon D3
Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
Battery Type external Nikon EN-EL4a
Body Dimensions 339 x 214 x 119 mm
(13.3 x 8.4 x 4.7 in)
160 x 157 x 88 mm
(6.3 x 6.2 x 3.5 in)
Camera Weight 2500 g (88.2 oz) 1300 g (45.9 oz)
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