• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.0 megapixels
  • ISO 320 - 25,000

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $5999 vs $7595
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 6.01 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.6 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 30 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 25000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) advantages over Nikon D4S

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 90 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    680g vs 1356g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    24.0 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

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

  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool

  • Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)

The Competition

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S
Canon 1DX
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Canon 1DX
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Thinner
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S
Nikon D4
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Nikon D4
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Thinner
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Thinner
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Nikon D4S
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Thinner
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Longer exposure
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $7495
  • 35mm

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Nikon D4S
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm
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