Nikon D700 vs Leica S2

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D700 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.

Nikon D700 was introduced in October 2008 and Leica S2 was introduced in September 2008. Let us first list highlights of the models.

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.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D700 over Leica S2.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica S2 over Nikon D700.

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.

Screen

Nikon D700 and Leica S2 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 922k dot and 460k dot resolutions respectively.

Viewfinder

Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. Nikon D700 has 95% coverage with 0.72x magnification and Leica S2 has 96% coverage with 0.86x magnification.

Nikon D700 features a 12.1 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36.0 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 860.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 200 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 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
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Nikon D700 is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 4256 x 2832 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3184 x 2120, 2128 x 1416 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Leica S2 can take pictures up to 7500 x 5000 resolution.

Lens Mount

Nikon D700 has Nikon F lens mount and Leica S2 has Leica S lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Nikon D700 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 Nikon D700 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 Nikon D700 nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon D700 has a Mini Type C HDMI and Leica S2 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D700 comes with EN-EL3e battery pack with battery life of 1000 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D700 has a single CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA) card slot. Leica S2 has a single card slot.

Shutter

Nikon D700 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D700, and up to 1/4000 sec on Leica S2. Nikon D700 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Leica S2 can shoot continuously up to 1.5 fps.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D700 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D700. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D700 and and manual exposure adjustment on Leica S2.

Flash

Nikon D700 has a built-in flash and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. Leica S2 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Nikon D700.

Nikon D700 body has dimensions of 147 x 123 x 77 mm (5.79 x 4.84 x 3.03") and Leica S2 body has dimensions of 160 x 120 x 81 mm (6.3 x 4.72 x 3.19"). Nikon D700 weighs 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz) and Leica S2 weighs 1410 g (3.11 lb / 49.74 oz).

Nikon D700

Leica S2

147 mm

123 mm

160 mm

120 mm

123 mm

120 mm

77 mm

81 mm