Pentax K-3 vs Leica TL

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-3 vs Leica TL

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3.
Compare Pentax K-3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 conclusion.

APS-C 370.5mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,500

Go in depth with our full Leica TL Review.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II

Succeeded by the Leica TL2
Compare TL vs TL2

Compare PENTAX K-3 II vs LEICA TL2

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Leica TL

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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

560 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
24.4 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 12500 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica TL advantages over Pentax K-3

Bigger pixels
~ 4.77 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
33 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Newer
7 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features

Similarities

Common Strengths

Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

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 Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read TL User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

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Buy the Leica TL

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Body Only (Titanium)

Review Excerpt

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

We haven’t reviewed the Leica TL.
Read our Leica TL Preview

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$810
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Leica TL

Nikon D7100

$1350
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Touchscreen

$810
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Leica TL vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Leica TL

Nikon D5300

$1350
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Touchscreen

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica TL vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Pentax K-3

Samsung NX3000

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Samsung NX3000

Leica TL

Samsung NX3000

$1350
APS-C

Touchscreen
Internal flash

$950
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica TL vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1043
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Leica TL

Nikon D7200

$1350
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Touchscreen

$1043
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
NFC

Compare Leica TL vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Leica TL2

Pentax K-3

Leica TL2

$699
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2495
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Leica TL2

Leica TL

Leica TL2

$1350
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2495
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Leica TL vs Leica TL2

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