• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 6.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 37.5 megapixels
  • ISO 80 - 1250

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Differences

Nikon D40 advantages over Leica S2

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $22995 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.88 vs 6.00 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    737g vs 1410g
    Lighter weight
  • More AF points
    3 vs 1
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1250 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica S2 advantages over Nikon D40

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    37.5 vs 6.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax 645D

Nikon D40
Pentax 645D
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Better color depth
Leica S2
Pentax 645D
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Nikon D40
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Better color depth
Leica S2
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • More dots on screen

Compared to Pentax 645Z

Nikon D40
Pentax 645Z
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Leica S2
Pentax 645Z
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Leica S (Typ 007)

Nikon D40
Leica S (Typ 007)
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Leica S2
Leica S (Typ 007)
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Nikon D40
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in GPS
Leica S2
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
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