Name: S2
Brand: Leica
SKU: 1476
Rating: 4.1 (44 reviews)

4.3

based on all reviews

Leica kept the German tradition alive
friendly
helpful

Leica S2 is not the highest resolution Medium format camera
no optical low-pass filter over the sensor
the skin looks too yellow in the penumbra

Sensor type: CCD
Image sensor format: Medium format
Sensor size: 45x30 mm
Effective pixels: 38 Mpx
Max resolution: 7500, 5000 px
Autofocus: Phase Detect, Single, Continuous
Screen size: 3 in

Leica S2 - Pros & Cons

Leica kept the German tradition alive
friendly
helpful
and talented studio
the Maestro processor makes easy work of image processing and display
Large
bright
clear
uncluttered
beautifully silky bokeh and smooth transitions
a good amount of night shooting in there as well
res LCD makes the text very readable and clear
lenses are extremely solid performers with sharp details and smooth OOF areas
Textures are perfectly rendered
Nice dynamic range and great texture
S2 files are really quite marvelous to look at
styling and simplicity of this kit
It has a four pin connection which seems solid and reliable
feel solid
reliable and has great image quality
very good autofocus and fast shutter speeds
the skin tone is perfect throughout the whole tonal gradient
workflow is simple and uncluttered
performance in a studio people photography was excellent
high contrast and hard light quality
solid and well-built
sheer usability of the camera is fascinating and compelling
make it easy to shoot compelling lifestyle images
hard work and the very interesting conclusions
superb
meticulous review of theses two systems
S2 images were very sharp where in focus and with pleasing out of focus areas
The LCD is nice and can be seen in daylight without any issues
Easy-to-Use Camera Functions The menus are simple and quick
Hasselblad ergonomics are very good
The shutter release falls perfectly under ones index finger
practical
convenient
and inexpensive
fluidity
an elegance
and a pleasure in its use
with amazing color and beautiful images
Leica S2's autofocus is good
it works here exceptionally well
S2's battery system has two very clever features
sits well in your hands
feels solid and well built
S2 is phenomenal and capable of stunning results
LCD on the S2 is nice and does its job well
Battery life is good for this type of camera
Simple controls
easy to understand
VERY exciting and crazy cool

Leica S2 is not the highest resolution Medium format camera
no optical low-pass filter over the sensor
the skin looks too yellow in the penumbra
Leica S2 is not really a medium format camera
Schneider are too shallow for the corresponding focal lengths
Changing from one camera system to another is never cheap
Nikon D800 is not a medium format camera
slow shutter speeds handheld
the streets are somewhat deserted
many of the pictures presented here are a little boring
S2 is limited to a 120 seconds maximum exposure
Only focus distance is shown on the lens
there is no ISO readout in the viewfinder
The download time is a little slow
S2 is not designed to compete with Canon and Nikon's professional cameras
lacking built in flash
the display screen is not a touch screen
S2 Video info Leica S2 does not record video
Leica S2 is heavier when compared to various rivals
doesn't have a built-in flash
Leica S2 have Image Stabilization
Does the Leica S2 have Weather Sealing
Leica S2 have built-in GPS
lack of ISO in the viewfinder
Leica CS lenses were not available for testing
can not be attached to a technical view camera
lack of attention to cable and socket colour coding consistency
exposure compensation will be displayed in the viewfinder
heavy and expensive equipment
the weather was horrible for most of the trip
anything above ISO 320 was not usable
fast film in MF cameras
the colours might be a bit off
the S2 does not provide the possibility to capture videos
Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts
feedback is often incomplete
inconsistent
and biased
it remains incomplete and does no justice
and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down

Leica S2 - Technical Overview

	Poor	Average	Good	Excellent
Screen size	3 in Best: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710 Screen size: 6.7 in
Effective pixels	38 Mpx Best: Hasselblad H6D-100c Effective pixels: 100 Mpx
Max resolution	7500 x 5000 px Best: Leica M11 Max resolution: 9528 x 6328 px

Leica - Video Reviews (9)

The Leica S2 First Look - stevehuffphoto.com

Leica S2 - Full Specifications

Sensor type	CCD
Image sensor format	Medium format
Sensor size	1.77 in
Effective pixels	38.0 Mpx
Max resolution	7500 x 5000 px

Autofocus	Phase Detect Single Continuous
Manual focus	yes

Minimum shutter speed	32.0 s
Maximum shutter speed	1.0 s
Shutter priority	yes
Aperture priority	yes
Manual exposure mode	yes
Subject / scene modes	no
Built-in flash	no
External flash	yes
Continuous drive	1.5 fps
Metering modes	Multi Center-weighted Spot

Weight	49.74 oz
Width	6.3 in
Height	4.72 in
Depth	3.19 in

GPS	no

ISO Auto	yes
Uncompressed format	RAW

Screen size	3.0 in
Articulated LCD	no
Screen dots	460000
Viewfinder	Optical
Viewfinder coverage	96.0 %
Viewfinder magnification	0.86 x

Body type	Large SLR
Colour of product	Black Black

HDMI	yes
USB version	2.0
Remote control	yes

Leica S2 - Q&A

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Leica S2 Leica - Editorial Reviews (8)

4.5

Based on 8 reviews

TechRadar

Published: 21.06.2011

Leica S2 review

4.5

Medium format quality in a DSLR body - too good to be true?

Camera Decision

Leica S2 Review | Camera Decision

Leica S2 is a 38.0MP Pro DSLR camera with a Medium format sized CCD sensor and Leica L mount. Read our S2 review to find its pros and cons.

Luminous Landscape

Published: 13.01.2009

Leica S2 Field and Studio Review - Luminous Landscape

For three quarters of a century Leica has been a brand and company associated with the 35mm format. Now, with the S2 system, Leica breaks the mold and creates a new larger-than-35mm digital format as well as well as a completely new camera and lens system built around it. The S2 also is Leica’s first [Read More]

Leica S2 The Leica S2 Camera Review | Steve Huff Photo

Steve Huff Photo | Real World Camera and Lens Reviews

The Leica S2 Camera Review | Steve Huff Photo

The Leica S2 Camera Review - I have finally decided to sit down and start working on this Leica S2 review, my pick for the best digital camera of 2010.

Imaging Resource

Published: 14.08.2009

Leica S2 Review

Leica S2 review, find out how the S2 stacks up against the competition in our real-world review with in-depth image quality comparisons.

Leica S2 Leica S2 against megapixel arms race

DPReview

Published: 27.02.2012

Leica S2 against megapixel arms race

This exhaustive test was designed to assess color fidelity, image quality and features of Leica S2 and PhaseOne /Leaf Aptus II 12 combo. The goal was to find our whether these two similarly priced systems are otherwise comparable in situations frequently encountered by professional photographers.

Leica S2 Leica S2 - First Impression Review

Digital Photography School

Published: 07.03.2010

Leica S2 - First Impression Review

This Review of the Leica S2 is a guest Post by Justin de Deney from Camera Advice. Invitation to Leica A Lamborghini speeds by as I cross Berkley Square, on my way to the Leica showroom in the heart of Mayfair, central London. I have received an invite to view the new Leica S2 medium […]

Red Dot Forum

Published: 08.11.2009

Leica S2 Review: Test Shooting in Germany | Red Dot Forum

If you read my M9 review, you already know that I traveled to Germany in mid-August to test both the M9 and the S2. I was invited as part of a group of online journalists, consisting of myself, Michael Reichmann of Luminous Landscape, Sean Reid of Reid Reviews, and Phil Askey of DPReview. We had …