• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

Buy From

Differences

Pentax KP 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Lighter weight
    699g vs 1260g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    27 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
    7.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    10 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/24000 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 KP

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.59 vs 3.91 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    4 years vs 7 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.09x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    64.0 vs 24.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 35 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax KP
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Silver)
All KP Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica S3

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS

Pentax KP
Canon 5DS
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon 5DS

Leica S3
Canon 5DS
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Pentax KP
Pentax K-3 II
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax KP vs Pentax K-3 II

Leica S3
Pentax K-3 II
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S3 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Pentax K-1

Pentax KP
Pentax K-1
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Lighter weight
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax KP vs Pentax K-1

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

Compare Leica S3 vs Pentax K-1

Compared to Nikon D5600

Pentax KP
Nikon D5600
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1065
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

Leica S3
Nikon D5600
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1065
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica S3 vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Canon T7i

Pentax KP
Canon T7i
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

Leica S3
Canon T7i
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon T7i

Compare Other Cameras?