Leica SL has a
24.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Maestro II processor. On the other hand, Nikon D3X has a
25.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed processor.
Another difference between these two cameras is that Leica SL's sensor lacks anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the SL and D3X sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Leica SL and Nikon D3X Cameras
Leica SL and Nikon D3X have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
At Camera Decision, we also look at Dxo Mark sensors when available as we think it is a good indicator of image quality.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Leica SL
88
25.0 bits
13.4 Evs
1821 ISO
Nikon D3X
88
24.7 bits
13.7 Evs
1992 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Leica SL
or the
Nikon D3X ,
including hyperfocal distance.
