Leica S vs Phase One P45 Plus — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Leica · Medium Format · 37.5 MP · Medium Format
Leica S
52
WINNER
|
Phase One · Medium Format · 39 MP · Medium Format
Phase One P45 Plus
49
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica S and the Phase One P45 Plus are both medium format cameras for high resolution stills work. The Leica S arrived in 2012, five years after the P45 Plus launched in 2007. The Leica S is the lighter body by 540 g, at 1260 g against 1800 g for the P45 Plus. It measures 160 x 120 x 80 mm against 156 x 128 x 184 mm, so the P45 Plus extends much deeper front to back. Those figures matter for studio and travel planning. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 17, 2012 | January 1, 2007 |
| Camera type |  Medium Format | Medium Format |
| Camera size | 160 x 120 x 80 mm | 156 x 128 x 184 mm |
| Camera weight | 1260 g | 1800 g |
| Optics | 62/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsResolution is effectively matched: the P45 Plus holds 39 MP against 37.5 MP for the Leica S, a 1.5 MP difference that gives neither a meaningful crop or print advantage. The lens system is the real decision. The Leica S uses the Leica S mount and the P45 Plus the Mamiya 645 AF mount, so existing lenses decide the path. Moving subjects favour the Leica S at 3.5 fps against 0.67 fps for the P45 Plus. The P45 Plus counters with a shorter 1/10000 second maximum shutter against 1/4000, plus an ISO 50 base, both useful at wide apertures in bright light. The Leica S reaches ISO 1600 against an ISO 800 ceiling, allowing higher settings in dim light. Both use optical pentaprism finders without in body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
37.5 MP050 | 39 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 | 7246 x 5444 |
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 | 37 x 49 |
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 | 0.67 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 | 8003003280000 |
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 | 8003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
12544080 | 360044080 |
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 ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or offers built in timelapse. Any motion project needs a separate camera, and that shared absence of video and timelapse recording is a similarity, not a difference, between them. | ||
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 is the stronger camera for reviewing images on the rear screen. Its 3 inch LCD carries 921600 dots, four times the 230400 dots of the 2.2 inch screen on the P45 Plus, making focus and detail checks more informative. Both support external flash and wifi transfer. Both use fixed, non touch LCDs without live view, and neither has GPS, weather sealing or Bluetooth, so location tagging and weather protection come from neither body. | ||
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 P45 Plus has the advantage for long shooting sessions. Its BP-915 battery is rated for 2500 shots, five times the 500 shot rating of the Leica S, which favours long studio days and location work. Storage favours the Leica S. Its dual slots take SD, SDHC, SDXC and Compact Flash Type I cards, while the P45 Plus takes Compact Flash only in a single slot. Neither 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 P45 Plus for studio and tripod work with Mamiya 645 AF lenses and static subjects. Its 2500 shot battery rating, ISO 50 base and 1/10000 second shutter suit deliberate shooting in bright or controlled conditions. The 0.67 fps rate and single Compact Flash slot point the same way.
Choose the Leica S for handheld medium format photography of anything that moves, thanks to its 3.5 fps rate and ISO range up to 1600. Its larger, higher resolution rear screen and dual card slots support portrait and location work where responsiveness matters.