• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Leica Q

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 6.00 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,074 vs 2,221 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • 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
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 50000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica Q advantages over Nikon D4S

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $3695 vs $5999
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    640g 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
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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 Q
Canon 1DX
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S
Nikon D4
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
Leica Q
Nikon D4
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO

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 Q
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Leica X-U (Typ 113)

Nikon D4S
Leica X-U (Typ 113)
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $3495
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Leica Q
Leica X-U (Typ 113)
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $3495
  • APS-C
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Leica Q2

Nikon D4S
Leica Q2
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $5447
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Leica Q
Leica Q2
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $5447
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
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