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Leica S3 vs Panasonic FZ1000

The Leica S3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2018 and June 2014. The S3 is a DSLR, while the FZ1000 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a medium format (S3) and an one-inch (FZ1000) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 64 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 20 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Leica S3
versus
Panasonic FZ1000
Leica S3   Panasonic FZ1000
Digital single lens reflex Fixed lens compact camera
Leica S mount lenses 25-400mm f/2.8-4.0
64 MP – Medium Format sensor 20 MP – 1" sensor
4K/24p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 100-50,000 ISO 125-12,800 (80 - 25,600)
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)
3.0" LCD – 922k dots 3.0" LCD – 921k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 12 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodynot weather sealed
160 x 120 x 80 mm, 1260 g 137 x 99 x 131 mm, 831 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica S3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000? 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 S3 and the Panasonic FZ1000. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Leica S3 vs Panasonic FZ1000
Compare S3 versus FZ1000 top
Comparison S3 or FZ1000 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic FZ1000 is notably smaller (29 percent) than the Leica S3. It is worth mentioning in this context that the S3 is splash and dust resistant, while the FZ1000 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the FZ1000 has a lens built in, whereas the S3 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.

Concerning battery life, the S3 gets .. shots out of its Leica BP-PRO1 battery, while the FZ1000 can take 360 images on a single charge of its Panasonic DMW-BLC12 power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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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 (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica S3 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2018 18,995ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic FZ1000 137 mm 99 mm 131 mm 831 g 360 n Jun 2014 899ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G3 X 123 mm 77 mm 105 mm 733 g 300 Y Jun 2015 999ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G5 X 112 mm 76 mm 44 mm 353 g 210 n Oct 2015 799ebay.com
5.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g 500 Y Jun 2019 3,999ebay.com
6.
 
Leica M10 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
7.
 
Leica M10-P 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Aug 2018 7,995ebay.com
8.
 
Leica Q2 130 mm 80 mm 92 mm 718 g 370 Y Mar 2019 4,995 amazon.com
9.
 
Leica S2 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1410 g .. Y Sep 2008 22,995ebay.com
10.
 
Leica S Typ 006 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2012 21,950ebay.com
11.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2014 16,900ebay.com
12.
 
Leica S Typ 007 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2014 24,490ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D6 160 mm 163 mm 92 mm 1270 g 3580 Y Feb 2020 6,499 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony RX10 IV 133 mm 94 mm 145 mm 1095 g 400 Y Sep 2017 1,699 amazon.com
15.
 
Sony RX100 II 102 mm 58 mm 38 mm 281 g 350 n Jun 2013 749ebay.com
16.
 
Sony RX100 III 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 290 g 320 n May 2014 799ebay.com
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 298 g 280 n Jun 2015 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The FZ1000 was launched at a lower price than the S3, despite having a lens built in. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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. 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 associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica S3 features a medium format sensor and the Panasonic FZ1000 an one-inch sensor. The sensor area in the FZ1000 is 91 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 0.8 and 2.7. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Leica S3 and Panasonic FZ1000 sensor measures

With 64MP, the S3 offers a higher resolution than the FZ1000 (20MP), but the S3 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.59μm versus 2.41μm for the FZ1000) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the S3 is a much more recent model (by 4 years and 3 months) than the FZ1000, 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 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 Panasonic FZ1000 are 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm for good quality, 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm for very good quality, and 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica S3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 50000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 are ISO 125 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-25600.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) 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.

S3 versus FZ1000 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). 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 S3 Medium Format 64.0 9800 65334K/24p25.614.4314398
2.
 
Panasonic FZ1000 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.111.751764
3.
 
Canon G3 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.412.352163
4.
 
Canon G5 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.412.347162
5.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p25.214.2282194
6.
 
Leica M10 Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none24.413.2213386
7.
 
Leica M10-P Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none25.114.1273993
8.
 
Leica Q2 Full Frame 46.7 8368 55844K/30p26.413.5249196
9.
 
Leica S2 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000none23.912.5222482
10.
 
Leica S Typ 006 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000none23.912.282476
11.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000none25.113.7276393
12.
 
Leica S Typ 007 Medium Format 37.5 7500 50004K/24p25.113.7276393
13.
 
Nikon D6 Full Frame 20.7 5568 37124K/30p25.314.3288695
14.
 
Sony RX10 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.012.240863
15.
 
Sony RX100 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.512.448367
16.
 
Sony RX100 III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.412.349567
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.659170
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the FZ1000 provides a faster frame rate than the S3. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Leica is limited to 4K/24p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the FZ1000 has an electronic viewfinder (2359k 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 FZ1000 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 0.70x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica S3, the Panasonic FZ1000, and comparable cameras.

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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 S3optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
2.
 
Panasonic FZ10002359 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon G3 Xoptional n3.2 / 1620 tilting Y 1/2000s 5.9/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon G5 X2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/2000s 5.9/s Y Y
5.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
6.
 
Leica M10optical n3.0 / 1037 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
7.
 
Leica M10-Poptical n3.0 / 1037 fixed Y 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
8.
 
Leica Q23680 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s n Y
9.
 
Leica S2optical Y3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 1.5/s n n
10.
 
Leica S Typ 006optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 1.5/s n n
11.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 1.5/s n n
12.
 
Leica S Typ 007optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s n n
13.
 
Nikon D6optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
14.
 
Sony RX10 IV2359 Y3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
15.
 
Sony RX100 IIoptional n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
16.
 
Sony RX100 III1440 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV2359 n3.0 / 1228 tilting n 1/2000s 16.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One feature that is present on the S3, but is missing on the FZ1000 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 FZ1000 has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the S3 does not have a selfie-screen.

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 FZ1000 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 Panasonic FZ1000 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 FZ1000 uses SDXC cards. The S3 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the FZ1000 only has one slot. The S3 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the FZ1000 can use UHS-I cards (up to 104 MB/s).

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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 S3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 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 S3Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0Y--
2.
 
Panasonic FZ1000Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon G3 XYstereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon G5 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240Ymono / ----2.0---
6.
 
Leica M10Y- / -----Y--
7.
 
Leica M10-PY- / -----Y--
8.
 
Leica Q2Ystereo / mono----Y-Y
9.
 
Leica S2Y- / ---mini2.0---
10.
 
Leica S Typ 006Y- / ---mini2.0---
11.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006Y- / ---mini2.0---
12.
 
Leica S Typ 007Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0Y--
13.
 
Nikon D6Ystereo / monoYYmini3.1Y-Y
14.
 
Sony RX10 IVYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony RX100 IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony RX100 III-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Leica S3 (unlike the FZ1000) 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 FZ1000 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The FZ1000 was replaced by the Panasonic FZ2500, while the S3 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the S3 and FZ1000 can be found, respectively, in the Leica S3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic FZ1000 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Leica S3 better than the Panasonic FZ1000 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Reasons to prefer the Leica S3:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (64 vs 20MP) with a 79% higher linear resolution.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
  • Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
  • More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.87x vs 0.70x).
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
  • Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
  • Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
  • More modern: Reflects 4 years and 3 months of technical progress since the FZ1000 launch.

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Arguments in favor of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (4K/30p versus 4K/24p).
  • 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%).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (12 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.
  • Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the S3 requires a separate lens.
  • More compact: Is smaller (137x99mm vs 160x120mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the S3).
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in June 2014).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the S3 emerges as the winner of the contest (19 : 17 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 wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

S3 19:17 FZ1000

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica S3 and the Panasonic FZ1000 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the S3 or the FZ1000. 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 expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular 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
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica S3............ Sep 2018 18,995ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic FZ10004/5+ +..82/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2014 899ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G3 X3.5/5+....4.5/54/5 Jun 2015 999ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G5 X5/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2015 799ebay.com
5.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240............ Jun 2019 3,999ebay.com
6.
 
Leica M104.5/5......4/54.5/5 Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
7.
 
Leica M10-P....3/5....4/5 Aug 2018 7,995ebay.com
8.
 
Leica Q2....4.5/584/1004.5/54/5 Mar 2019 4,995 amazon.com
9.
 
Leica S2............ Sep 2008 22,995ebay.com
10.
 
Leica S Typ 006............ Sep 2012 21,950ebay.com
11.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006............ Sep 2014 16,900ebay.com
12.
 
Leica S Typ 0074/5.......... Sep 2014 24,490ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D6....4/5..4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2020 6,499 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony RX10 IV5/5+3.5/584/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2017 1,699 amazon.com
15.
 
Sony RX100 II5/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 749ebay.com
16.
 
Sony RX100 III5/5+ +..82/1004.5/55/5 May 2014 799ebay.com
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV4.5/5+ +..85/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2015 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted 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. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods 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? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu 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 Panasonic FZ1000

    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 S3 Panasonic FZ1000
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens Leica S mount lenses 25-400mm f/2.8-4.0
    Launch Date September 2018 June 2014
    Launch Price USD 18,995 USD 899
    Sensor Specs Leica S3 Panasonic FZ1000
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Medium Format Sensor 1" Sensor
    Sensor Size 45.0 x 30.0 mm 13.2 x 8.8 mm
    Sensor Area 1350 mm2 116.16 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 54.1 mm 15.9 mm
    Crop Factor 0.8x 2.7x
    Sensor Resolution 64 Megapixels 20 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 9800 x 6533 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.59 μm 2.41 μm
    Pixel Density 4.74 MP/cm2 17.18 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/24p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 50,000 ISO 125 - 12,800 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 80 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor Maestro II Venus
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 64
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 22.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 11.7
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 517
    Screen Specs Leica S3 Panasonic FZ1000
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 98% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.87x 0.70x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2359k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 922k dots 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Swivel screen
    Shooting Specs Leica S3 Panasonic FZ1000
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 12 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/16000s
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium CF or SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-II UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Leica S3 Panasonic FZ1000
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
    USB Connector USB 3.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket Headphone port no Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Geotagging GPS built-in no internal GPS
    Body Specs Leica S3 Panasonic FZ1000
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodynot weather sealed
    Battery Type Leica BP-PRO1 Panasonic DMW-BLC12
    Body Dimensions 160 x 120 x 80 mm
    (6.3 x 4.7 x 3.1 in)
    137 x 99 x 131 mm
    (5.4 x 3.9 x 5.2 in)
    Camera Weight 1260 g (44.4 oz) 831 g (29.3 oz)
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