A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Leica S3 vs Nikon D5500

The Leica S3 and the Nikon D5500 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in September 2018 and January 2015. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on a medium format (S3) and an APS-C (D5500) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 64 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 24 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Leica S3
versus
Nikon D5500
Leica S3   Nikon D5500
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Leica S mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
64 MP – Medium Format sensor 24 MP – APS-C sensor
4K/24p Video 1080/60p Video
ISO 100-50,000 ISO 100-25,600
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 922k dots 3.2" LCD – 1037k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Swivel touchscreen
3 shutter flaps per second 5 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodynot weather sealed
160 x 120 x 80 mm, 1260 g 124 x 97 x 70 mm, 470 g
logo
Check S3 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check D5500 offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica S3 and the Nikon D5500? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

ad

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Leica S3 and the Nikon D5500 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The D5500 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the S3 is only available in black.

Size Leica S3 vs Nikon D5500
Compare S3 versus D5500 top
Comparison S3 or D5500 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D5500 is considerably smaller (37 percent) than the Leica S3. Moreover, the D5500 is substantially lighter (63 percent) than the S3. It is worth mentioning in this context that the S3 is splash and dust resistant, while the D5500 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the S3 gets .. shots out of its Leica BP-PRO1 battery, while the D5500 can take 820 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL14a power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica S3 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2018 US$ 18 999ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D5500 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 470 g 820 n Jan 2015 US$ 899ebay.com
3.
 
Canon M5 116 mm 89 mm 61 mm 427 g 295 n Sep 2016 US$ 979ebay.com
4.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g 500 Y Jun 2019 US$ 3 999ebay.com
5.
 
Leica M10 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jan 2017 US$ 6 599ebay.com
6.
 
Leica M10-P 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Aug 2018 US$ 7 999ebay.com
7.
 
Leica Q2 130 mm 80 mm 92 mm 718 g 370 Y Mar 2019 US$ 4 999 amazon.com
8.
 
Leica S2 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1410 g .. Y Sep 2008 US$ 22 999ebay.com
9.
 
Leica S Typ 006 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2012 US$ 21 949ebay.com
10.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2014 US$ 16 599ebay.com
11.
 
Leica S Typ 007 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1260 g .. Y Sep 2014 US$ 24 499ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D6 160 mm 163 mm 92 mm 1270 g 3580 Y Feb 2020 US$ 6 499 amazon.com
13.
 
Nikon D3300 124 mm 98 mm 76 mm 430 g 700 n Jan 2014 US$ 499ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D3400 124 mm 98 mm 76 mm 445 g 1200 n Aug 2016 US$ 499ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D5300 125 mm 98 mm 76 mm 480 g 600 n Oct 2013 US$ 799ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D5600 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 465 g 970 n Nov 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
17.
 
Sony RX10 IV 133 mm 94 mm 145 mm 1095 g 400 Y Sep 2017 US$ 1 699 amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The D5500 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 95 percent) than the S3, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica S3 features a medium format sensor and the Nikon D5500 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the D5500 is 73 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 0.8 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Leica S3 and Nikon D5500 sensor measures

With 64MP, the S3 offers a higher resolution than the D5500 (24MP), but the S3 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.59μm versus 3.91μm for the D5500) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the S3 is a much more recent model (by 3 years and 8 months) than the D5500, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Leica S3 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the S3 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 49 x 32.7 inches or 124.5 x 83 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 39.2 x 26.1 inches or 99.6 x 66.4 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 32.7 x 21.8 inches or 83 x 55.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D5500 are 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm for good quality, 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm for very good quality, and 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica S3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 50000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D5500 are ISO 100 to ISO 25600 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

S3 versus D5500 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Leica S3 Medium Format 64.0 9800 65334K/24p25.614.4314398
2.
 
Nikon D5500 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0143884
3.
 
Canon M5 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.412.4126277
4.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p25.214.2282194
5.
 
Leica M10 Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none24.413.2213386
6.
 
Leica M10-P Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none25.114.1273993
7.
 
Leica Q2 Full Frame 46.7 8368 55844K/30p26.413.5249196
8.
 
Leica S2 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000none23.912.5222482
9.
 
Leica S Typ 006 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000none23.912.282476
10.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000none25.113.7276393
11.
 
Leica S Typ 007 Medium Format 37.5 7500 50004K/24p25.113.7276393
12.
 
Nikon D6 Full Frame 20.7 5568 37124K/30p25.314.3288695
13.
 
Nikon D3300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.312.8138582
14.
 
Nikon D3400 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.813.9119286
15.
 
Nikon D5300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.9133883
16.
 
Nikon D5600 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0130684
17.
 
Sony RX10 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.012.240863
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the S3 provides a higher video resolution than the D5500. It can shoot video footage at 4K/24p, while the Nikon is limited to 1080/60p.

ad

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The S3 and the D5500 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinder in the S3 offers a wider field of view (98%) than the one in the D5500 (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the S3 has a higher magnification (0.87x vs 0.57x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Leica S3 and Nikon D5500 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Leica S3optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
2.
 
Nikon D5500optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon M52360 n3.2 / 1620 tilting Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y n
4.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
5.
 
Leica M10optical n3.0 / 1037 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
6.
 
Leica M10-Poptical n3.0 / 1037 fixed Y 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
7.
 
Leica Q23680 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s n Y
8.
 
Leica S2optical Y3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 1.5/s n n
9.
 
Leica S Typ 006optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 1.5/s n n
10.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 1.5/s n n
11.
 
Leica S Typ 007optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s n n
12.
 
Nikon D6optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
13.
 
Nikon D3300optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
14.
 
Nikon D3400optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
15.
 
Nikon D5300optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
16.
 
Nikon D5600optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
17.
 
Sony RX10 IV2359 Y3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One feature that is present on the S3, but is missing on the D5500 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The D5500 has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the S3 does not have a selfie-screen.

The Nikon D5500 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The S3 writes its imaging data to Compact Flash or SDXC cards, while the D5500 uses SDXC cards. The S3 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the D5500 only has one slot. The S3 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the D5500 can use UHS-I cards (up to 104 MB/s).

ad

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica S3 and Nikon D5500 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica S3Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0Y--
2.
 
Nikon D5500Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
3.
 
Canon M5Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
4.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240Ymono / ----2.0---
5.
 
Leica M10Y- / -----Y--
6.
 
Leica M10-PY- / -----Y--
7.
 
Leica Q2Ystereo / mono----Y-Y
8.
 
Leica S2Y- / ---mini2.0---
9.
 
Leica S Typ 006Y- / ---mini2.0---
10.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006Y- / ---mini2.0---
11.
 
Leica S Typ 007Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0Y--
12.
 
Nikon D6Ystereo / monoYYmini3.1Y-Y
13.
 
Nikon D3300Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
14.
 
Nikon D3400Ymono / mono--mini2.0--Y
15.
 
Nikon D5300Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
16.
 
Nikon D5600Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
17.
 
Sony RX10 IVYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-

It is notable that the S3 has a headphone jack, which is not present on the D5500 This port makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Leica S3 (unlike the D5500) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the S3 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the S3 and the D5500 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D5500 was replaced by the Nikon D5600, while the S3 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the S3 and D5500 can be found, respectively, in the Leica S3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D5500 Manual.

ad

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica S3 and the Nikon D5500? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

ilogo

Arguments in favor of the Leica S3:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (64 vs 24MP) with a 63% higher linear resolution.
  • Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
  • Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
  • More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/24p vs 1080/60p).
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (98% vs 95%).
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.87x vs 0.57x).
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
  • Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
  • More modern: Reflects 3 years and 8 months of technical progress since the D5500 launch.

ilogo

Advantages of the Nikon D5500:

  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1037k vs 922k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (124x97mm vs 160x120mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 790g or 63 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (95 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in January 2015).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the S3 is the clear winner of the match-up (18 : 12 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

S3 18:12 D5500

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica S3 and the Nikon D5500 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the S3 or the D5500. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

scroll hint
Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica S3............ Sep 2018 US$ 18 999ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D55005/5+..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2015 US$ 899ebay.com
3.
 
Canon M54/5+4/582/1004/54/5 Sep 2016 US$ 979ebay.com
4.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240............ Jun 2019 US$ 3 999ebay.com
5.
 
Leica M104.5/5......4/54.5/5 Jan 2017 US$ 6 599ebay.com
6.
 
Leica M10-P....3/5....4/5 Aug 2018 US$ 7 999ebay.com
7.
 
Leica Q2....4.5/584/1004.5/54/5 Mar 2019 US$ 4 999 amazon.com
8.
 
Leica S2............ Sep 2008 US$ 22 999ebay.com
9.
 
Leica S Typ 006............ Sep 2012 US$ 21 949ebay.com
10.
 
Leica S-E Typ 006............ Sep 2014 US$ 16 599ebay.com
11.
 
Leica S Typ 0074/5.......... Sep 2014 US$ 24 499ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D6....4/5..4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2020 US$ 6 499 amazon.com
13.
 
Nikon D33003/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2014 US$ 499ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D34004/5+4/576/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2016 US$ 499ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D53004/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 US$ 799ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D56004/5..4/579/1004.5/54/5 Nov 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
17.
 
Sony RX10 IV5/5+3.5/584/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2017 US$ 1 699 amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

logo
Check S3 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check D5500 offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

~
    loader
    ad

    Specifications: Leica S3 vs Nikon D5500

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Leica S3 Nikon D5500
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Leica S mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2018 January 2015
    Launch Price USD 18,999 USD 899
    Sensor Specs Leica S3 Nikon D5500
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Medium Format Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 45.0 x 30.0 mm 23.5 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 1350 mm2 366.6 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 54.1 mm 28.2 mm
    Crop Factor 0.8x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 64 Megapixels 24 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 9800 x 6533 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.59 μm 3.91 μm
    Pixel Density 4.74 MP/cm2 6.55 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 4K/24p Video 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 50,000 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor Maestro II EXPEED 4
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 84
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 24.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 14.0
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 1438
    Screen Specs Leica S3 Nikon D5500
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 98% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.87x 0.57x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.2inch
    LCD Resolution 922k dots 1037k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Swivel screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Leica S3 Nikon D5500
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 5 shutter flaps/s
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium CF or SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-II UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Leica S3 Nikon D5500
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
    USB Connector USB 3.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket Headphone port no Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Geotagging GPS built-in no internal GPS
    Body Specs Leica S3 Nikon D5500
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodynot weather sealed
    Battery Type Leica BP-PRO1 Nikon EN-EL14a
    Body Dimensions 160 x 120 x 80 mm
    (6.3 x 4.7 x 3.1 in)
    124 x 97 x 70 mm
    (4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8 in)
    Camera Weight 1260 g (44.4 oz) 470 g (16.6 oz)
    logo
    Check S3 offers at
    ebay.com
    logo
    Check D5500 offers at
    ebay.com

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Leica S3 vs Nikon D5500