Leica
M9
 vs
Nikon
D3S

General

 Leica M9 Nikon D3S
Brand
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 Leica Nikon
Lowest price
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 $6,995.00 $5,196.95
Announced
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 September, 2009 October, 2009

Sensor
Type
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 CCD CMOS
Size
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 Full frame 36.0x24.0mm Full frame 36.0x23.9mm
Crop factor
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 1x 1x
Megapixels
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 18.1 MP 12.1 MP
Light sensitivity
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 2,500 ISO 12,800 ISO
Light sensitivity (boost)
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 None 102,400 ISO
Sensor cleaning
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 No Yes

Sensor (Advanced)
True resolution
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 18.1 MP 12.1 MP
Native resolution
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 5212 x 3472 4256 x 2832
Pixel size
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 47.7 µm² 71.4 µm²

Screen
Type
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 LCD LCD
Size
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 2.5" 3.0"
Resolution
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 230k dots 921k dots
Touch screen
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 No No
Flips out
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 No No
Live view
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 No Yes

Lenses
Lens availability
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 22 lenses 121 lenses
Lens focus motor
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 Yes Yes
Lens mount
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 Leica M Nikon FX

Form factor
Size
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 139x80x37 mm 160x157x88 mm
Depth
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 1.5" 3.5"
Weight
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 585 g 1,240 g
Interchangeable lenses
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 Yes Yes
Waterproof
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 No No
Weather sealed
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 No Yes

Viewfinder
Type
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 Rangefinder Pentaprism
Viewfinder size
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 Unknown 0.70x
Coverage
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 Unknown 100%

Movies
Format
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 None 720p @ 24fps
Supports 24p
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 n/a Yes
High-speed framerate
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 n/a None
External mic jack
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 n/a Yes
Autofocus
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 None None
All formats
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 n/a 720p @ 24fps
320 x 216 @ 24fps
640 x 424 @ 24fps

Features
Panorama
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 No No
HDR
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 No No
3D
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 No No
Image stabilization
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 None None
Supports RAW
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 Yes Yes
GPS
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 No No

Performance
Startup delay
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 Unknown 300 ms
Shutter lag
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 Unknown 197 ms
Battery life
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 600 shots 4400 shots
Continuous shooting
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 2 fps 9 fps

Focus system
Autofocus
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 Contrast detection Phase detection
Focus points
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 Unknown 51
Cross type focus points
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 Unknown 15

Shutter
Max
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 1/4000s 1/8000s
Min
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 4s 30s

Flash
Built-in flash
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 No No
External connection
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 Yes Yes

Storage
Storage slots
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 1 2
Supported formats
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 SD
SDHC		 CompactFlash (Type I)
CompactFlash (Type I)

DXO Mark Scores
Image quality
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 69.0 82.0
Color depth
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 22.5 bits 23.5 bits
Dynamic range
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 11.7 EV 12 EV
Low light performance
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 884 ISO 3,253 ISO