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Leica S3 vs Sony NEX-5

The Leica S3 and the Sony Alpha NEX-5 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in September 2018 and May 2010. The S3 is a DSLR, while the NEX-5 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a medium format (S3) and an APS-C (NEX-5) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 64 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 14 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
Sony NEX-5
Leica S3   Sony NEX-5
Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
Leica S mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
64 MP – Medium Format sensor 14 MP – APS-C sensor
4K/24p Video 1080/60i Video
ISO 100-50,000 ISO 200-12,800
Optical viewfinder Viewfinder optional
3.0" LCD – 922k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
3 shutter flaps per second 7 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodynot weather sealed
160 x 120 x 80 mm, 1260 g 111 x 59 x 38 mm, 287 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica S3 and the Sony Alpha NEX-5? 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

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Leica S3 and the Sony NEX-5 is provided 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 size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The NEX-5 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the S3 is only available in black.

Size Leica S3 vs Sony NEX-5
Compare S3 versus NEX-5 top
Comparison S3 or NEX-5 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony NEX-5 is considerably smaller (66 percent) than the Leica S3. Moreover, the NEX-5 is substantially lighter (77 percent) than the S3. It is worth mentioning in this context that the S3 is splash and dust resistant, while the NEX-5 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. 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.

Concerning battery life, the S3 gets .. shots out of its Leica BP-PRO1 battery, while the NEX-5 can take 330 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FW50 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.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica S3 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2018 18,995ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-5 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 287 g 330 n May 2010 699ebay.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 3,999ebay.com
5.
 
Leica M10-P 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Aug 2018 7,995ebay.com
6.
 
Leica M10 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
7.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2014 16,900ebay.com
8.
 
Leica S Typ 007 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2014 24,490ebay.com
9.
 
Leica S Typ 006 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2012 21,950ebay.com
10.
 
Leica S2 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1410 g .. Y Sep 2008 22,995ebay.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 NEX-5R 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2012 749ebay.com
14.
 
Sony NEX-F3 117 mm 67 mm 42 mm 314 g 470 n May 2012 599ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-5N 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 269 g 460 n Aug 2011 699ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-C3 110 mm 60 mm 33 mm 225 g 400 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
17.
 
Sony NEX-3 117 mm 62 mm 33 mm 297 g 330 n May 2010 599ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will 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 NEX-5 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 96 percent) than the S3, 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 size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. 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 are more costly to manufacture and tend to 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 NEX-5 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the NEX-5 is 73 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 0.8 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Leica S3 and Sony NEX-5 sensor measures

With 64MP, the S3 offers a higher resolution than the NEX-5 (14MP), but the S3 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.59μm versus 5.11μm for the NEX-5). However, the S3 is a much more recent model (by 8 years and 4 months) than the NEX-5, 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 Sony NEX-5 are 23 x 15.3 inches or 58.3 x 38.8 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 12.2 inches or 46.7 x 31 cm for very good quality, and 15.3 x 10.2 inches or 38.9 x 25.9 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 Alpha NEX-5 are ISO 200 to ISO 12800 (no boost).

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 NEX-5 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. 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
# image 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.
 
Sony NEX-5 APS-C 14.0 4592 30561080/60i22.212.279669
3.
 
Leica Q2 Full Frame 46.7 8368 55844K/30p26.413.5249196
4.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p25.214.2282194
5.
 
Leica M10-P Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none25.114.1273993
6.
 
Leica M10 Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none24.413.2213386
7.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000none25.113.7276393
8.
 
Leica S Typ 007 Medium Format 37.5 7500 50004K/24p25.113.7276393
9.
 
Leica S Typ 006 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000none23.912.282476
10.
 
Leica S2 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000none23.912.5222482
11.
 
Nikon D6 Full Frame 20.7 5568 37124K/30p25.314.3288695
12.
 
Sony RX10 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.012.240863
13.
 
Sony NEX-5R APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.191078
14.
 
Sony NEX-F3 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.712.3111473
15.
 
Sony NEX-5N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.612.7107977
16.
 
Sony NEX-C3 APS-C 16.0 4912 3264720/30p22.712.2108373
17.
 
Sony NEX-3 APS-C 14.0 4592 3056720/30p22.112.083068
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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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 NEX-5. It can shoot video footage at 4K/24p, while the Sony is limited to 1080/60i.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the S3 has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the NEX-5 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the NEX-5 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the FDA-SV1. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Leica S3 and Sony NEX-5 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Leica S3optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
2.
 
Sony NEX-5optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
3.
 
Leica Q23680 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s n Y
4.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
5.
 
Leica M10-Poptical n3.0 / 1037 fixed Y 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
6.
 
Leica M10optical n3.0 / 1037 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
7.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 1.5/s n n
8.
 
Leica S Typ 007optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s n n
9.
 
Leica S Typ 006optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 1.5/s n n
10.
 
Leica S2optical Y3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 1.5/s n n
11.
 
Nikon D6optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
12.
 
Sony RX10 IV2359 Y3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
13.
 
Sony NEX-5Roptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
14.
 
Sony NEX-F3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n
15.
 
Sony NEX-5Noptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
16.
 
Sony NEX-C3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n n
17.
 
Sony NEX-3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One feature that is present on the S3, but is missing on the NEX-5 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 NEX-5 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 S3 writes its imaging data to Compact Flash or SDXC cards, while the NEX-5 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 NEX-5 only has one slot. The S3 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the NEX-5 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica S3 and Sony Alpha NEX-5 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica S3Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0Y--
2.
 
Sony NEX-5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Leica Q2Ystereo / mono----Y-Y
4.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240Ymono / ----2.0---
5.
 
Leica M10-PY- / -----Y--
6.
 
Leica M10Y- / -----Y--
7.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006Y- / ---mini2.0---
8.
 
Leica S Typ 007Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0Y--
9.
 
Leica S Typ 006Y- / ---mini2.0---
10.
 
Leica S2Y- / ---mini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D6Ystereo / monoYYmini3.1Y-Y
12.
 
Sony RX10 IVYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
13.
 
Sony NEX-5RYstereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
14.
 
Sony NEX-F3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
15.
 
Sony NEX-5NYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
16.
 
Sony NEX-C3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
17.
 
Sony NEX-3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
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It is notable that the S3 has a microphone port, which is missing on the NEX-5. 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 NEX-5) 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 NEX-5 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The NEX-5 was replaced by the Sony NEX-5N, while the S3 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the S3 and NEX-5 can be found, respectively, in the Leica S3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony NEX-5 Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica S3 and the Sony NEX-5? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Advantages of the Leica S3:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (64 vs 14MP) with a 114% 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 video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/24p vs 1080/60i).
  • 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.
  • Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • 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).
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • 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 8 years and 4 months of technical progress since the NEX-5 launch.

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Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha NEX-5:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (7 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More compact: Is smaller (111x59mm vs 160x120mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 973g or 77 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (96 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in May 2010).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the S3 is the clear winner of the match-up (20 : 9 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.

S3 20:09 NEX-5

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica S3 and the Sony NEX-5 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 technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the S3 or the NEX-5 perform in practice. 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 where reviews by experts come in. 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
# image  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.
 
Sony NEX-53/5+ +..71/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 699ebay.com
3.
 
Leica Q2....4.5/584/1004.5/54/5 Mar 2019 4,995 amazon.com
4.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240............ Jun 2019 3,999ebay.com
5.
 
Leica M10-P....3/5....4/5 Aug 2018 7,995ebay.com
6.
 
Leica M104.5/5......4/54.5/5 Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
7.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006............ Sep 2014 16,900ebay.com
8.
 
Leica S Typ 0074/5.......... Sep 2014 24,490ebay.com
9.
 
Leica S Typ 006............ Sep 2012 21,950ebay.com
10.
 
Leica S2............ Sep 2008 22,995ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D6....4/5..4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2020 6,499 amazon.com
12.
 
Sony RX10 IV5/5+3.5/584/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2017 1,699 amazon.com
13.
 
Sony NEX-5R........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2012 749ebay.com
14.
 
Sony NEX-F34/5....74/1004.5/54.5/5 May 2012 599ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-5N3/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2011 699ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-C33/5+ +..74/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
17.
 
Sony NEX-3......70/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. 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.

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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.

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    Specifications: Leica S3 vs Sony NEX-5

    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 Sony NEX-5
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Leica S mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2018 May 2010
    Launch Price USD 18,995 USD 699
    Sensor Specs Leica S3 Sony NEX-5
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Medium Format Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 45.0 x 30.0 mm 23.4 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 1350 mm2 365.04 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 54.1 mm 28.1 mm
    Crop Factor 0.8x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 64 Megapixels 14 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 9800 x 6533 pixels 4592 x 3056 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.59 μm 5.11 μm
    Pixel Density 4.74 MP/cm2 3.84 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/24p Video 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 50,000 ISO 200 - 12,800 ISO
    Image Processor Maestro II BIONZ
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 69
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 22.2
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 12.2
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 796
    Screen Specs Leica S3 Sony NEX-5
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Viewfinder optional
    Viewfinder Field of View 98%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.87x
    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 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Leica S3 Sony NEX-5
    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 7 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board 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 NEX-5
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
    USB Connector USB 3.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Headphone Socket Headphone port no Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Geotagging GPS built-in no internal GPS
    Body Specs Leica S3 Sony NEX-5
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodynot weather sealed
    Battery Type Leica BP-PRO1 Sony NP-FW50
    Body Dimensions 160 x 120 x 80 mm
    (6.3 x 4.7 x 3.1 in)
    111 x 59 x 38 mm
    (4.4 x 2.3 x 1.5 in)
    Camera Weight 1260 g (44.4 oz) 287 g (10.1 oz)
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