• Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 37.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Leica S (Typ 007) advantages over Nikon D500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 4.22 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.09x vs 0.67x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    37.5 vs 20.9 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 200 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon D500 advantages over Leica S (Typ 007)

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More cross-type AF points
    99 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    856g vs 1260g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    2359k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    153 vs 1
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.2 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    1638400 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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  • Body Only
  • Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition
  • Kit with 16-80mm f/2.8-4 Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, comfortable camera body; Sharp articulating touchscreen display; Excellent AF point frame coverage; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K UHD video; Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.

  • Somewhat large for an APS-C camera; Expensive for a DX camera; 4K UHD video doesn't offer full DX field-of-view; No built-in flash; Still uses contrast-detect for Live View AF; Dual slots use two different card types (XQD and SD).

  • Read our Nikon D500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica S2

Leica S (Typ 007)
Leica S2
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $22995
  • Medium format

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Leica S2

Nikon D500
Leica S2
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D500 vs Leica S2

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Leica S (Typ 007)
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $10535
  • Medium format

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Nikon D500
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D500 vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Leica S (Typ 007)
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Nikon D500
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D500 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Leica S (Typ 007)
Pentax K-3 II
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D500
Pentax K-3 II
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Sony A68

Leica S (Typ 007)
Sony A68
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Sony A68

Nikon D500
Sony A68
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A68

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