Canon EOS 5DS vs Leica S2

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS 5DS and the Leica S2, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Canon EOS 5DS was introduced in February 2015 and Leica S2 was introduced in September 2008. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon EOS 5DS Highlights

      • 50.6 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 61 Focus Points (61 Cross-type)
      • 3.2" 1,040k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Leica S2 Highlights

      • 38 MP Medium format CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 1,250 Native ISO
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 1.5 fps Continuous Shooting

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Canon EOS 5DS and Leica S2.

      PROS

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 50.6 Megapixel
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 87
      •   Webcam Functionality
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Large Sensor
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,250 Highest Native ISO
      •   High Bit Depth
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots

      CONS

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1410 g (3.11 lb / 49.74 oz)


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      •   Price
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Weight - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   Sensor Resolution - 38 Megapixel
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 76

      Advantage of Canon EOS 5DS

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS 5DS over Leica S2.

      Canon EOS 5DS vs Leica S2
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 50.6 Megapixel vs 38 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 8688 x 5792 vs 7500 x 5000
      Timelapse Recording vs
      Multi Area Autofocus vs
      Center Autofocus vs
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 1,040k dot vs 460k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 100% vs 96%
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/8000 sec vs 1/4000 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.0 fps vs 1.5 fps
      Partial Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 2381 vs 824
      Higher DxO Color Depth 24.7 vs 23.9
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.4 vs 12.2
      Higher DxO Overall Score 87 vs 76
      Interval Recording vs
      Higher USB Speed USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
      Speaker Mono vs
      Built-in Microphone Mono vs
      Microphone Input vs
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Dust Proof vs
      Lighter 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz) vs 1410 g (3.11 lb / 49.74 oz)
      More Storage Slots 2 vs 1

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS 5DS.

      Advantage of Leica S2

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica S2 over Canon EOS 5DS.

      Canon EOS 5DS vs Leica S2
      Larger Sensor Full Frame vs Medium format
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 80
      Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 1,250
      Higher Bit Depth 14-Bit vs 16-bit
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.71x vs 0.86x
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 32 sec
      Longer Battery Life 700 shots vs 1000 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Leica S2.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Canon EOS 5DS Leica S2
        Large SensorFull FrameMedium format
        HDMI Output Mini
      WEAKNESSES Canon EOS 5DS Leica S2
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Canon EOS 5DS has a 3.2" screen with 1,040k dot resolution and Leica S2 has a 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. Canon EOS 5DS has 100% coverage with 0.71x magnification and Leica S2 has 96% coverage with 0.86x magnification.

      Sensor

      Canon EOS 5DS features a 50.6 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 864 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 12,800 in boosted mode. Leica S2 features a 38 megapixel Medium format CCD sensor with dimensions of 45 x 30 mm and a total area of 900 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,250.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Canon EOS 5DS is equipped with Dual DIGIC 6 processor and can take pictures up to 8688 x 5792 resolution. Leica S2 can take pictures up to 7500 x 5000 resolution.


      Lens Mount

      Canon EOS 5DS has Canon EF lens mount and Leica S2 has Leica S lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Canon EOS 5DS its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length. Due to Medium format sensor in Leica S2 its crop factor is equal to 0.79x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 0.79.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Canon EOS 5DS it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Leica S2 nothing can be done. On Leica S2 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS 5DS nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. Canon EOS 5DS has a Mini HDMI and Leica S2 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Canon EOS 5DS comes with LP-E6 battery pack with battery life of 700 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Canon EOS 5DS has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) and one for CompactFlash (UDMA 7). Leica S2 has a single card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS 5DS, and up to 1/4000 sec on Leica S2. Canon EOS 5DS can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Leica S2 can shoot continuously up to 1.5 fps.


      Focusing

      Canon EOS 5DS has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 61 (41 cross-type) focusing points and Leica S2 has . Canon EOS 5DS has detection range from -2 to +18 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Canon EOS 5DS ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Canon EOS 5DS. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS 5DS and and manual exposure adjustment on Leica S2.


      Flash

      Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Canon EOS 5DS.

      Physical Parameters

      Canon EOS 5DS body has dimensions of 152 x 116 x 76 mm (5.98 x 4.57 x 2.99") and Leica S2 body has dimensions of 160 x 120 x 81 mm (6.3 x 4.72 x 3.19"). Canon EOS 5DS weighs 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz) and Leica S2 weighs 1410 g (3.11 lb / 49.74 oz).

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      152 mm

      116 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      160 mm

      120 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      116 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      120 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      76 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      81 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Canon EOS 5DS and Leica S2

      Canon EOS 5DS and Leica S2 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      76
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      74
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   1,250 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      70
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      58
      •   1,250 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots

      Portrait Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      82
      •   Large Sensor
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      80
      •   Large Sensor
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View

      Street Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      79
      •   Large Sensor
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Large Sensor
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1410 g (3.11 lb / 49.74 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      76
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      POOR
      46
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1410 g (3.11 lb / 49.74 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon EOS 5DS and Leica S2 and give them scores of 73 and 63 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      OVERALL
      73
      OVERALL
      63

      Sensor

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      75
      •   Large Sensor
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 50.6 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 87
      GOOD
      82
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 38 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,250 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 76

      Photo

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      75
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   High Bit Depth
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps

      Video

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      BAD
      32
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Webcam Functionality
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      83
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      70
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      74
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      GOOD
      71
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot

      Connectivity

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      77
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      72
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      BAD
      38
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1410 g (3.11 lb / 49.74 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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