Leica S vs Phase One P40 Plus — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Leica · Medium Format · 37.5 MP · Medium Format
Leica S
52
WINNER
|
Phase One · Medium Format · 40 MP · Medium Format
Phase One P40 Plus
48
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica S and the Phase One P40 Plus are both medium format cameras. The Leica S was released in 2012, three years after the P40 Plus in 2009, so it is the newer body of the pair. Their measurements differ. The Leica S measures 160 x 120 x 80 mm and weighs 1260 g, while the P40 Plus runs 154 x 128 x 184 mm and 1030 g, so the Phase One is 230 g lighter but far deeper front to back. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 17, 2012 | April 29, 2009 |
| Camera type |  Medium Format | Medium Format |
| Camera size | 160 x 120 x 80 mm | 154 x 128 x 184 mm |
| Camera weight | 1260 g | 1030 g |
| Optics | 62/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Phase One P40 Plus offers more exposure control than the Leica S. Its ISO settings run from 50 to 3200 against 100 to 1600, giving a lower base for longer daylight exposures and higher settings available when light fades. Its 1/10000 second top shutter speed is also the shorter exposure option, against 1/4000, for wide apertures outdoors. The Leica S answers with more shooting speed, 3.5 fps against 2 fps, for portrait or product sets where timing matters. Resolution is a smaller difference, with the P40 Plus recording 40 MP against 37.5 MP for slightly more cropping pixels. Sensor type, sensor format, the optical pentaprism viewfinder and the lack of in-body stabilisation are shared. Lenses follow the mounts: Leica S optics or Mamiya 645 AF glass. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
37.5 MP050 | 40 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
7500 x 5000 | 6496 x 4872 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
30 x 45 | 32.9 x 43.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Medium Format | Medium Format |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3.5 fps045 | 2 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Leica S | Mamiya 645 AF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Maestro II | Phase-One |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 |  4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
12544080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 1000080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
10300 | 30300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Leica S and the Phase One P40 Plus are both stills-only cameras: neither records video, and neither offers built-in timelapse. Any motion clips need a separate camera alongside either body. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 28/100 | 14/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Leica S has the much better rear screen for reviewing focus and detail. Its 3-inch LCD shows 921600 dots against 230400 on the 2.2-inch panel of the P40 Plus, so images display larger and with finer detail. Both screens are fixed LCDs without touch control. Flash and connectivity features are shared: both offer WiFi for wireless transfer and an external flash shoe, and neither has a built-in flash, GPS, weather sealing or live view. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9216001150001500000 | 2304001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 60/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Phase One P40 Plus has the far higher battery rating, at 2500 shots per BP-915 charge against 500 shots from the Leica S's SBP PRO 1. That rating favours the P40 Plus for long studio days and extended location sessions. The Leica S has the storage advantage with two card slots accepting SD, SDHC and SDXC cards alongside CompactFlash Type I. The P40 Plus has a single CompactFlash slot, so the Leica offers more card capacity and modern SD media. Neither body charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Compact Flash (Type I) | Compact Flash |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | No |
| Battery type | SBP PRO 1 | BP-915 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 2500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Phase One P40 Plus if endurance and exposure range drive your work. Its 2500-shot battery rating, ISO settings from 50 to 3200, and 1/10000 second shutter suit long sessions and bright-day shooting at wide apertures, especially for photographers already using Mamiya 645 AF lenses.
Choose the Leica S for the more responsive stills workflow. Its 3.5 fps burst suits timed moments, the 921600-dot 3-inch screen makes focus checking easier, and dual card slots take SDXC media. Its Leica S mount keeps the system on that native lens family.