Leica S3 vs Nikon Z6 II

The Leica S3 and the Nikon Z6 II are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2018 and October 2020. The S3 is a DSLR, while the Z6 II is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a medium format (S3) and a full frame (Z6 II) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 64 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 24.3 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Leica S3		Nikon Z6 II
Digital single lens reflex		Mirrorless system camera
Leica S mount lenses		Nikon Z mount lenses
64 MP, Medium Format Sensor		24.3 MP, Full Frame Sensor
4K/24p Video		4K/60p Video
ISO 100-50,000		ISO 100-51,200 (50 - 204,800)
Optical viewfinder		Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)
3.0 LCD, 922k dots		3.2 LCD, 2100k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Tilting touchscreen
3 shutter flaps per second		14 shutter flaps per second
no shake reduction		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
160 x 120 x 80 mm, 1260 g		134 x 101 x 70 mm, 705 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica S3 and the Nikon Z6 II? 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.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Leica S3 and the Nikon Z6 II are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon Z6 II is notably smaller (30 percent) than the Leica S3. Moreover, the Z6 II is substantially lighter (44 percent) than the S3. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

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. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

The power pack in the Z6 II can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Leica S3	6.3 in	4.7 in	3.1 in	44.4 oz	..	Y	Sep 2018	18,995
2.		Nikon Z6 II	5.3 in	4.0 in	2.8 in	24.9 oz	410	Y	Oct 2020	1,999
3.		Leica Q2	5.1 in	3.1 in	3.6 in	25.3 oz	370	Y	Mar 2019	4,995
4.		Leica M-E Typ 240	5.5 in	3.1 in	1.7 in	24.0 oz	..	Y	Jun 2019	3,999
5.		Leica M10-P	5.5 in	3.1 in	1.5 in	23.3 oz	210	Y	Aug 2018	7,995
6.		Leica M10	5.5 in	3.1 in	1.5 in	23.3 oz	210	Y	Jan 2017	6,595
7.		Leica S-E Typ 006	6.3 in	4.7 in	3.1 in	44.4 oz	..	Y	Sep 2014	16,900
8.		Leica S Typ 007	6.3 in	4.7 in	3.1 in	44.4 oz	..	Y	Sep 2014	24,490
9.		Leica S Typ 006	6.3 in	4.7 in	3.1 in	44.4 oz	..	Y	Sep 2012	21,950
10.		Leica S2	6.3 in	4.7 in	3.1 in	49.7 oz	..	Y	Sep 2008	22,995
11.		Nikon D780	5.7 in	4.6 in	3.0 in	29.6 oz	2260	Y	Jan 2020	2,299
12.		Nikon D6	6.3 in	6.4 in	3.6 in	44.8 oz	3580	Y	Feb 2020	6,499
13.		Nikon Z5	5.3 in	4.0 in	2.6 in	23.8 oz	470	Y	Jul 2020	1,399
14.		Nikon Z7 II	5.3 in	4.0 in	2.8 in	24.9 oz	420	Y	Oct 2020	2,999
15.		Nikon Z6	5.3 in	4.0 in	2.6 in	23.8 oz	310	Y	Aug 2018	1,999
16.		Panasonic S5	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.2 in	25.2 oz	440	Y	Sep 2020	1,999
17.		Sony RX10 IV	5.2 in	3.7 in	5.7 in	38.6 oz	400	Y	Sep 2017	1,699
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The Z6 II was launched at a markedly lower price (by 89 percent) than the S3, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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. 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 more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica S3 features a medium format sensor and the Nikon Z6 II a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the Z6 II is 36 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 0.8 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 64MP, the S3 offers a higher resolution than the Z6 II (24.3MP), but the S3 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.59μm versus 5.94μm for the Z6 II). Moreover, the Z6 II is a much more recent model (by 2 years) than the S3, 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 S3 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Leica S3 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the S3 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 49 x 32.7 inches or 124.5 x 83 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 39.2 x 26.1 inches or 99.6 x 66.4 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 32.7 x 21.8 inches or 83 x 55.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon Z6 II are 30.2 x 20.1 inches or 76.8 x 51.1 cm for good quality, 24.2 x 16.1 inches or 61.4 x 40.9 cm for very good quality, and 20.2 x 13.4 inches or 51.2 x 34.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Z6 II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Leica S3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 50000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon Z6 II are ISO 100 to ISO 51200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-204800.

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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Leica S3	Medium Format	64.0	9800	6533	4K/24p	..	..	..	..
2.		Nikon Z6 II	Full Frame	24.3	6048	4024	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
3.		Leica Q2	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/30p	26.4	13.5	2491	96
4.		Leica M-E Typ 240	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	1080/25p	..	..	..	..
5.		Leica M10-P	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	..	..	..	..
6.		Leica M10	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	24.4	13.2	2133	86
7.		Leica S-E Typ 006	Medium Format	37.5	7500	5000	none	..	..	..	..
8.		Leica S Typ 007	Medium Format	37.5	7500	5000	4K/24p	..	..	..	..
9.		Leica S Typ 006	Medium Format	37.5	7500	5000	none	23.9	12.2	824	76
10.		Leica S2	Medium Format	37.5	7500	5000	none	..	..	..	..
11.		Nikon D780	Full Frame	24.3	6048	4024	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
12.		Nikon D6	Full Frame	20.7	5568	3712	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
13.		Nikon Z5	Full Frame	24.2	6016	4016	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
14.		Nikon Z7 II	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
15.		Nikon Z6	Full Frame	24.3	6048	4024	4K/30p	25.3	14.3	3299	95
16.		Panasonic S5	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
17.		Sony RX10 IV	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..	..

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the Z6 II provides a faster frame rate than the S3. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/60p, while the Leica is limited to 4K/24p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the Z6 II has an electronic viewfinder (3690k dots), while the S3 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinder in the Z6 II offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the S3 (98%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. On the other hand, the viewfinder of the S3 has a higher magnification (0.87x vs 0.80x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Leica S3 and Nikon Z6 II in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		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
1.		Leica S3	optical	Y	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
2.		Nikon Z6 II	3690	Y	3.2	2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	14.0	n	Y
3.		Leica Q2	3680	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	20.0	n	Y
4.		Leica M-E Typ 240	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
5.		Leica M10-P	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
6.		Leica M10	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
7.		Leica S-E Typ 006	optical	Y	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/4000s	1.5	n	n
8.		Leica S Typ 007	optical	Y	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5	n	n
9.		Leica S Typ 006	optical	Y	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/4000s	1.5	n	n
10.		Leica S2	optical	Y	3.0	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	1.5	n	n
11.		Nikon D780	optical	Y	3.2	2359	tilting	Y	1/8000s	12.0	n	n
12.		Nikon D6	optical	Y	3.2	2359	fixed	Y	1/8000s	14.0	n	n
13.		Nikon Z5	3690	n	3.2	1040	tilting	Y	1/8000s	4.5	n	Y
14.		Nikon Z7 II	3690	Y	3.2	2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
15.		Nikon Z6	3690	Y	3.2	2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	12.0	n	Y
16.		Panasonic S5	2360	n	3.0	1840	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	7.0	n	Y
17.		Sony RX10 IV	2359	Y	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/2000s	24.0	Y	Y

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The Z6 II has a touchscreen, while the S3 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the Z6 II is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Nikon Z6 II 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 S3 writes its imaging data to Compact Flash or SDXC cards, while the Z6 II uses CFexpress or SDXC cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. Both cameras support UHS-II cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s.

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 S3 and Nikon Z6 II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Leica S3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	-	-
2.		Nikon Z6 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
3.		Leica Q2	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	-	Y	-	Y
4.		Leica M-E Typ 240	Y	mono	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Leica M10-P	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
6.		Leica M10	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
7.		Leica S-E Typ 006	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Leica S Typ 007	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	-	-
9.		Leica S Typ 006	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Leica S2	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Nikon D780	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.1	Y	-	Y
12.		Nikon D6	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.1	Y	-	Y
13.		Nikon Z5	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
14.		Nikon Z7 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
15.		Nikon Z6	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
16.		Panasonic S5	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
17.		Sony RX10 IV	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Leica S3 (unlike the Z6 II) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the S3 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the S3 and the Z6 II are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The S3 replaced the earlier Leica S Typ 007, while the Z6 II followed on from the Nikon Z6. 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 what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Leica S3 better than the Nikon Z6 II or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Leica S3:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (64 vs 24.3MP) with a 62% higher linear resolution.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.87x vs 0.80x).
• Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• 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 2018).

Advantages of the Nikon Z6 II:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (4K/60p versus 4K/24p).
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 98%).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2100k vs 922k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (14 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More compact: Is smaller (134x101mm vs 160x120mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 555g or 44 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (89 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 2 years of technical progress since the S3 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the Z6 II is the clear winner of the contest (21 : 8 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding 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.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica S3 and the Nikon Z6 II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the S3 or the Z6 II. 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.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts 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], 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.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Leica S3	..	..	..	..	..	Sep 2018	18,995
2.		Nikon Z6 II	4.5/5	..	89/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2020	1,999
3.		Leica Q2	..	..	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Mar 2019	4,995
4.		Leica M-E Typ 240	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2019	3,999
5.		Leica M10-P	..	..	..	..	4/5	Aug 2018	7,995
6.		Leica M10	4.5/5	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	6,595
7.		Leica S-E Typ 006	..	..	..	..	..	Sep 2014	16,900
8.		Leica S Typ 007	4/5	..	..	..	..	Sep 2014	24,490
9.		Leica S Typ 006	..	..	..	..	..	Sep 2012	21,950
10.		Leica S2	..	..	..	..	..	Sep 2008	22,995
11.		Nikon D780	5/5	..	87/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2020	2,299
12.		Nikon D6	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2020	6,499
13.		Nikon Z5	4/5	..	89/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jul 2020	1,399
14.		Nikon Z7 II	4.5/5	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2020	2,999
15.		Nikon Z6	5/5	..	..	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2018	1,999
16.		Panasonic S5	4.5/5	+ +	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2020	1,999
17.		Sony RX10 IV	5/5	+	84/100	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2017	1,699
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

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. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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 S3 vs Nikon Z6 II

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.

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