Leica S3 vs Sony HX400V
The Leica S3 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2018 and February 2014. The S3 is a DSLR, while the HX400V is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a medium format (S3) and a 1/2.3-inch (HX400V) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 64 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 20.2 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica S3 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V? 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
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Leica S3 and the Sony HX400V is provided in the side-by-side display below. 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 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 Sony HX400V is considerably smaller (37 percent) than the Leica S3. It is worth mentioning in this context that the S3 is splash and dust resistant, while the HX400V does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the HX400V 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 HX400V can take 300 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-BX1 power pack.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. 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.
# | 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 | 18,995 | ebay.com | |
2. | Sony HX400V | 130 mm | 93 mm | 103 mm | 660 g | 300 | n | Feb 2014 | 499 | ebay.com | |
3. | Leica Q2 | 130 mm | 80 mm | 92 mm | 718 g | 370 | Y | Mar 2019 | 4,995 | amazon.com | |
4. | Leica M-E Typ 240 | 139 mm | 80 mm | 42 mm | 680 g | 500 | Y | Jun 2019 | 3,999 | ebay.com | |
5. | Leica M10-P | 139 mm | 80 mm | 39 mm | 660 g | 210 | Y | Aug 2018 | 7,995 | ebay.com | |
6. | Leica M10 | 139 mm | 80 mm | 39 mm | 660 g | 210 | Y | Jan 2017 | 6,595 | ebay.com | |
7. | Leica S-E Typ 006 | 160 mm | 120 mm | 80 mm | 1260 g | .. | Y | Sep 2014 | 16,900 | ebay.com | |
8. | Leica S Typ 007 | 160 mm | 120 mm | 80 mm | 1260 g | .. | Y | Sep 2014 | 24,490 | ebay.com | |
9. | Leica S Typ 006 | 160 mm | 120 mm | 80 mm | 1260 g | .. | Y | Sep 2012 | 21,950 | ebay.com | |
10. | Leica S2 | 160 mm | 120 mm | 80 mm | 1410 g | .. | Y | Sep 2008 | 22,995 | ebay.com | |
11. | Nikon D6 | 160 mm | 163 mm | 92 mm | 1270 g | 3580 | Y | Feb 2020 | 6,499 | amazon.com | |
12. | Sony RX10 IV | 133 mm | 94 mm | 145 mm | 1095 g | 400 | Y | Sep 2017 | 1,699 | amazon.com | |
13. | Sony HX350 | 130 mm | 93 mm | 103 mm | 652 g | 300 | n | Dec 2016 | 449 | ebay.com | |
14. | Sony RX100 IV | 102 mm | 58 mm | 41 mm | 298 g | 280 | n | Jun 2015 | 999 | ebay.com | |
15. | Sony HX90V | 102 mm | 58 mm | 36 mm | 245 g | 360 | n | Apr 2015 | 429 | ebay.com | |
16. | Sony H400 | 130 mm | 95 mm | 122 mm | 628 g | 300 | n | Feb 2014 | 319 | ebay.com | |
17. | Sony H300 | 128 mm | 89 mm | 92 mm | 590 g | 350 | n | Feb 2014 | 219 | ebay.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 naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The HX400V 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.
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. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and 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 S3 features a medium format sensor and the Sony HX400V a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the HX400V is 98 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 0.8 and 5.6. The sensor in the S3 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the HX400V offers a 4:3 aspect.
With 64MP, the S3 offers a higher resolution than the HX400V (20.2MP), but the S3 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.59μm versus 1.18μm for the HX400V) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the S3 is a much more recent model (by 4 years and 7 months) than the HX400V, 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 neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the 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 Sony HX400V are 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 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 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V are ISO 80 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-12800.
In terms of underlying technology, the S3 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the HX400V uses a BSI-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.
For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. 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.
# | 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 | 25.6 | 14.4 | 3143 | 98 | |
2. | Sony HX400V | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/60p | 20.1 | 11.4 | 629 | 45 | |
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 | 25.2 | 14.2 | 2821 | 94 | |
5. | Leica M10-P | Full Frame | 23.8 | 5952 | 3992 | none | 25.1 | 14.1 | 2739 | 93 | |
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 | 25.1 | 13.7 | 2763 | 93 | |
8. | Leica S Typ 007 | Medium Format | 37.5 | 7500 | 5000 | 4K/24p | 25.1 | 13.7 | 2763 | 93 | |
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 | 23.9 | 12.5 | 2224 | 82 | |
11. | Nikon D6 | Full Frame | 20.7 | 5568 | 3712 | 4K/30p | 25.3 | 14.3 | 2886 | 95 | |
12. | Sony RX10 IV | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.0 | 12.2 | 408 | 63 | |
13. | Sony HX350 | 1/2.3 | 19.9 | 5152 | 3864 | 1080/60p | 20.5 | 11.9 | 896 | 49 | |
14. | Sony RX100 IV | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.8 | 12.6 | 591 | 70 | |
15. | Sony HX90V | 1/2.3 | 18.0 | 4896 | 3672 | 1080/60p | 20.2 | 11.6 | 738 | 47 | |
16. | Sony H400 | 1/2.3 | 19.9 | 5152 | 3864 | 720/30p | 20.1 | 11.4 | 630 | 45 | |
17. | Sony H300 | 1/2.3 | 19.9 | 5152 | 3864 | 720/30p | 20.1 | 11.4 | 630 | 45 | |
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. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the S3 provides a higher video resolution than the HX400V. It can shoot video footage at 4K/24p, while the Sony is limited to 1080/60p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the HX400V has an electronic viewfinder (210k 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 table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Leica S3 and Sony HX400V in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.
# | 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 S3 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | n | n | |
2. | Sony HX400V | 210 | n | 3.0 / 921 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
3. | Leica Q2 | 3680 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
4. | Leica M-E Typ 240 | optical | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | n | n | |
5. | Leica M10-P | optical | n | 3.0 / 1037 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | n | n | |
6. | Leica M10 | optical | n | 3.0 / 1037 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | n | n | |
7. | Leica S-E Typ 006 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 1.5/s | n | n | |
8. | Leica S Typ 007 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.5/s | n | n | |
9. | Leica S Typ 006 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 1.5/s | n | n | |
10. | Leica S2 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 1.5/s | n | n | |
11. | Nikon D6 | optical | Y | 3.2 / 2359 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 14.0/s | n | n | |
12. | Sony RX10 IV | 2359 | Y | 3.0 / 1440 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 24.0/s | Y | Y | |
13. | Sony HX350 | 202 | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
14. | Sony RX100 IV | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 1228 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 16.0/s | Y | Y | |
15. | Sony HX90V | 638 | n | 3.0 / 921 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
16. | Sony H400 | 210 | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 0.7/s | Y | Y | |
17. | Sony H300 | none | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/1500s | 0.8/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 HX400V 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 S3 writes its imaging data to Compact Flash or SDXC cards, while the HX400V uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The S3 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the HX400V only has one slot. The S3 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the HX400V cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD 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 S3 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
# | Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / 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. | Sony HX400V | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | 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 D6 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
12. | Sony RX10 IV | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
13. | Sony HX350 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
14. | Sony RX100 IV | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
15. | Sony HX90V | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
16. | Sony H400 | - | mono / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
17. | Sony H300 | - | mono / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - |
It is notable that the S3 has a microphone port, which is missing on the HX400V. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.
Studio photographers will appreciate that the Leica S3 (unlike the HX400V) 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 both cameras feature internal geolocalization sensors and can record GPS coordinates in their EXIF data.
Both the S3 and the HX400V have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. Neither of the two has a direct successor, so they represent the end of the respective camera lines from Leica and Sony. Further information on the features and operation of the S3 and HX400V can be found, respectively, in the Leica S3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony HX400V Manual.
Review summary
So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Leica S3 or the Sony HX400V – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.
Reasons to prefer the Leica S3:
- More detail: Offers more megapixels (64 vs 20.2MP) with a 82% higher linear resolution.
- 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 video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/24p vs 1080/60p).
- Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
- Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
- Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
- 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.
- 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 Ultra High Speed (UHS-II) SDXC cards.
- More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
- More modern: Reflects 4 years and 7 months of technical progress since the HX400V launch.
Advantages of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V:
- More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
- More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the S3 requires a separate lens.
- More compact: Is smaller (130x93mm 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 February 2014).
If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the S3 is the clear winner of the match-up (18 : 11 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 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.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica S3 and the Sony HX400V 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 the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the S3 and the HX400V in practical situations. 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 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.
# | 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 | 18,995 | ebay.com | |
2. | Sony HX400V | 4/5 | + + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2014 | 499 | ebay.com | |
3. | Leica Q2 | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Mar 2019 | 4,995 | amazon.com | |
4. | Leica M-E Typ 240 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jun 2019 | 3,999 | ebay.com | |
5. | Leica M10-P | .. | .. | 3/5 | .. | .. | 4/5 | Aug 2018 | 7,995 | ebay.com | |
6. | Leica M10 | 4.5/5 | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2017 | 6,595 | ebay.com | |
7. | Leica S-E Typ 006 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Sep 2014 | 16,900 | ebay.com | |
8. | Leica S Typ 007 | 4/5 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Sep 2014 | 24,490 | ebay.com | |
9. | Leica S Typ 006 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Sep 2012 | 21,950 | ebay.com | |
10. | Leica S2 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Sep 2008 | 22,995 | ebay.com | |
11. | Nikon D6 | .. | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2020 | 6,499 | amazon.com | |
12. | Sony RX10 IV | 5/5 | + | 3.5/5 | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Sep 2017 | 1,699 | amazon.com | |
13. | Sony HX350 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | Dec 2016 | 449 | ebay.com | |
14. | Sony RX100 IV | 4.5/5 | + + | .. | 85/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2015 | 999 | ebay.com | |
15. | Sony HX90V | 4/5 | + + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Apr 2015 | 429 | ebay.com | |
16. | Sony H400 | .. | o | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | Feb 2014 | 319 | ebay.com | |
17. | Sony H300 | .. | + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2014 | 219 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
- Canon 400D vs Leica S3
- Canon 7D II vs Leica S3
- Canon T5 vs Leica S3
- Fujifilm GFX 100 vs Sony HX400V
- Fujifilm X-Pro1 vs Sony HX400V
- Leica S-E Typ 006 vs Sony HX400V
- Leica S3 vs Nikon D7200
- Leica S3 vs Pentax K-5 II
- Leica S3 vs Sony H300
- Panasonic LF1 vs Sony HX400V
- Sony A7 III vs Sony HX400V
- Sony HX400V vs Sony NEX-F3
Specifications: Leica S3 vs Sony HX400V
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 Model | Leica S3 | Sony HX400V |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | Fixed lens compact camera |
Camera Lens | Leica S mount lenses | 24-1200mm f/2.8-6.3 |
Launch Date | September 2018 | February 2014 |
Launch Price | USD 18,995 | USD 499 |
Sensor Specs | Leica S3 | Sony HX400V |
Sensor Technology | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor Format | Medium Format Sensor | 1/2.3" Sensor |
Sensor Size | 45.0 x 30.0 mm | 6.17 x 4.55 mm |
Sensor Area | 1350 mm2 | 28.0735 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 54.1 mm | 7.7 mm |
Crop Factor | 0.8x | 5.6x |
Sensor Resolution | 64 Megapixels | 20.2 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 9800 x 6533 pixels | 5184 x 3888 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 4.59 μm | 1.18 μm |
Pixel Density | 4.74 MP/cm2 | 71.80 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | no AA filter | no AA filter |
Movie Capability | 4K/24p Video | 1080/60p Video |
ISO Setting | 100 - 50,000 ISO | 80 - 3,200 ISO |
ISO Boost | no Enhancement | 80 - 12,800 ISO |
Image Processor | Maestro II | BIONZ X |
Screen Specs | Leica S3 | Sony HX400V |
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | Electronic viewfinder |
Viewfinder Field of View | 98% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.87x | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 210k 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 | Tilting screen |
Shooting Specs | Leica S3 | Sony HX400V |
Focus System | Phase-detect AF | Contrast-detect AF |
Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | no Peaking Feature |
Continuous Shooting | 3 shutter flaps/s | 10 shutter flaps/s |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | Built-in Flash |
Storage Medium | CF or SDXC cards | MS or SDXC cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | Single card slot |
UHS card support | UHS-II | no |
Connectivity Specs | Leica S3 | Sony HX400V |
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 | no MIC socket |
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 | GPS built-in |
Body Specs | Leica S3 | Sony HX400V |
Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | not weather sealed |
Battery Type | Leica BP-PRO1 | Sony NP-BX1 |
Body Dimensions |
160 x 120 x 80 mm (6.3 x 4.7 x 3.1 in) |
130 x 93 x 103 mm (5.1 x 3.7 x 4.1 in) |
Camera Weight | 1260 g (44.4 oz) | 660 g (23.3 oz) |
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