• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Leica S3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/200 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    33 vs 1
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.6 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    17 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 50000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica S3 advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.09x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    64.0 vs 36.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 77 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5DS R
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Leica S3
Canon 5DS R
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • More cross-type AF points

Compared to Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II
Pentax K-1
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $1800
  • 35mm
Leica S3
Pentax K-1
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Leica S3
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 6D Mark II

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1266
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Leica S3
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1266
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compared to Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Leica S3
Nikon D850
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in GPS
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
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