Key Features
Sep 23 2008
Announced
38 megapixels
Resolution
| Brand | Leica |
| Sensor Type | Medium format |
| Sensor | CCD |
| Weight | 1410g |
| MSRP | $22995USD |
Other similar cameras
Leica M8.2
Released Sep 15 2008 | 10MP resolution
Leica SL2
Released Nov 06 2019 | 47MP resolution
Leica M8
Released Jul 31 2007 | 10MP resolution
Overview of the S2
If you're in the market for a new camera, you've probably heard of the Leica S2. This camera has gained a reputation as one of the best professional-grade cameras on the market, and for good reason. With its 37.5-megapixel sensor, fast autofocus, and weather-sealed body, the Leica S2 is a formidable camera that can handle almost any situation. But what sets this camera apart from its competitors? In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at some of the features of the Leica S2 that make it such a great choice for photographers.
Leica S2 Pros and Cons
Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Leica S2 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!
Pros
Cons
Build and Construction
Body and dimensions
Leica S2
| Weather sealed | |
| Dimensions | 160 x 120 x 81mm |
| Weight | 1410g |
| Thickness | 81mm |
Weather Sealing
The Leica S2 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.
Design and Handling
Main design features
| View Finder | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Screen Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen Resolution | 460k dots |
| Body type | Large SLR |
Suitable for:
| Photography | Above Avg. |
| Videography | Above Avg. |
| Travel | Above Avg. |
LCD Screen
This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Leica S2 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.
Viewfinder
S2 includes a optical (pentaprism) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 96% and a magnification of 0.86x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.
Image Quality
Leica S2 has a 38MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 38 pixels. Leica S2 has a native ISO range of 80 - 1250 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.
Key Features
Sep 23 2008
Announced
80 - 1250
ISO Range
| Sensor | Medium format |
| Extended ISO | null - null |
| Max resolution | 7500 x 5000 pixels |
DXO Sensor Scores
Overall
76 / 102
Color Depth
23.9 / 26.5
Dynamic Range
12.2 / 14.8
Low Light ISO
824 / 4505
DXO mark sensor scores
The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Leica S2 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the S2 is average
Crop Factor
Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.
Size comparison
Crop factor calculator
Crop factor
1x
Full frame equivalent
24mm
This camera: Medium format
24mm
Connectivity, storage, battery
| Storage | |
| Battery Life | 1000 shots |
| Battery Model |
| HDMI | |
| USD | |
| Wireless Connectivity |
Storage
The Leica S2 supports undefined with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.
Battery
The Leica S2 uses the undefined model of battery pack. This is rated for 1000 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.
Photography Features
Flash
The Leica S2 does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.
Shutter
The Leica S2 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.
With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.
Autofocus
The Leica S2 includes phase detection autofocus (AF), with null number of focus points.
While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.
Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.
On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.
FAQ
The Leica S2 features a CCD sensor
No the S2 does not have weather sealing.
The Leica S2 was announced on Sep 23 2008
No the S2 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.
The S2 has a native ISO range of 80-1250, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.
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