Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-3 III

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-3 III

35mm 864.0mm²
47.3 megapixels
ISO 50 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica SL2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SL2.

APS-C 361.2mm²
25.7 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1,600,000

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 III.

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Differences

Leica SL2 advantages over Pentax K-3 III

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Thinner
42 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
More pixels
47.3 vs 25.7 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 12.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/40000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Leica SL2

Less expensive
$2344 vs $4900*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

800 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
3 years vs 4 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
1.05x vs 0.78x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
1600000 vs 50000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 III User Reviews

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Buy the Leica SL2

Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 20-40mm F2.8-4 Lens
Kit with 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Lens

All K-3 III Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Leica SL2, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Leica SL2 Shooter's Report

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-3 III, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-3 III First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Pentax KP

Leica SL2

Pentax KP

$6263
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 III

Pentax KP

$1847
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon 90D

Leica SL2

Canon 90D

$6263
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1199
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Canon 90D

Pentax K-3 III

Canon 90D

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1199
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon 90D

Compared to Leica M10-R

Leica SL2

Leica M10-R

$6263
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

$8295
35mm

Bigger pixels
Lighter weight

Compare Leica SL2 vs Leica M10-R

Pentax K-3 III

Leica M10-R

$1847
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$8295
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Leica M10-R

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Leica SL2

Nikon Z7 II

$6263
35mm

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$2730
35mm

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z7 II

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon Z7 II

$1847
APS-C

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$2730
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon Z7 II

Compared to Sony A1

Leica SL2

Sony A1

$6263
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$6499
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Sony A1

Pentax K-3 III

Sony A1

$1847
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$6499
35mm

Larger sensor
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A1

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