Leica S vs Phase One P65 Plus — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Leica · Medium Format · 37.5 MP · Medium Format
Leica S
52
WINNER
|
Phase One · Medium Format · 60.5 MP · Medium Format
Phase One P65 Plus
48
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica S and the Phase One P65 Plus are both medium format cameras for high resolution work, but they take different forms. The Leica S, announced in September 2012, is an integrated digital SLR with its own Leica S lens mount. The Phase One P65 Plus, announced in July 2008, is a 60.5 megapixel digital back that attaches through the Mamiya 645 AF mount, so lens selection follows the Mamiya 645 system. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 17, 2012 | July 14, 2008 |
| Camera type |  Medium Format | Medium Format |
| Camera size | 160 x 120 x 80 mm | 155 x 128 x 184 mm |
| Camera weight | 1260 g | 993 g |
| Optics | 62/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Phase One P65 Plus is the stronger choice for heavy cropping or very large prints. Its 60.5 megapixel CCD sensor captures 23 more megapixels than the 37.5 megapixel sensor in the Leica S. A landscape or studio product photographer can reframe a shot later and still keep generous detail for big prints. The Leica S is the better tool for subjects that move. It shoots at 3.5 frames per second against 1 on the P65 Plus, enough to catch a fleeting expression in a portrait session. The P65 Plus offers a wider 50 to 3200 ISO range, and its ISO 50 base suits long daylight exposures. Both share CCD sensors, optical pentaprism viewfinders and a 1/4000 second maximum shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
37.5 MP050 | 60.5 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 | 8984 x 6732 |
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 | 40.4 x 53.9 |
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 | 1 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 | 400080032000 |
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, so both are purely stills tools and filmmakers should look elsewhere. Neither offers a built in timelapse mode either. | ||
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 better screen for confirming focus and reviewing files on location. Its 3 inch LCD offers 921600 dots, while the P65 Plus screen is 2.2 inches with 230400 dots. Connectivity is shared, as both cameras support WiFi for wireless transfer and both work with external flash units. Neither offers GPS, weather sealing, a touch screen, live view or a tilting screen. | ||
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 P65 Plus carries a much higher battery rating, 2000 shots against 500 for the Leica S. That rating favours long studio days and extended landscape trips on its BP-915 pack. The Leica S is the better choice for flexible file handling. It has dual card slots that take SD, SDHC, SDXC and Compact Flash Type I cards, while the P65 Plus has a single Compact Flash slot. More card formats mean easier spare card sourcing and separate storage for client and working files. Neither camera charges its battery 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 | 2000 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Phase One P65 Plus if maximum resolution is the job. Its 60.5 megapixel sensor, ISO 50 base sensitivity and 2000 shot battery rating suit studio product work, architectural photography and tripod based landscapes that end up as very large prints.
Choose the Leica S if you want one camera that handles more situations in the field. Its 3.5 frames per second burst, dual card slots and higher resolution 921600 dot screen suit portrait sessions and reviewing results on the spot. Each camera uses its own lens mount, Leica S or Mamiya 645 AF, so plan around the system that fits your lenses.