• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Leica M (Typ 240) advantages over Pentax K-3

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.05 vs 3.91 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,860 vs 1,216 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Pentax K-3 advantages over Leica M (Typ 240)

  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    75 vs 8 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 6400 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
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

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  • Body Only
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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

The Competition

Compared to Leica M Monochrom

Leica M (Typ 240)
Leica M Monochrom
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Leica M (Typ 240) vs Leica M Monochrom

Pentax K-3
Leica M Monochrom
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Leica M Monochrom

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Leica M (Typ 240)
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $7999
  • 35mm

Compare Leica M (Typ 240) vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Pentax K-3
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Compared to Nikon D7100

Leica M (Typ 240)
Nikon D7100
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $745
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M (Typ 240) vs Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3
Nikon D7100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $745
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Leica M (Typ 240)
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Longer exposure
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Leica M (Typ 240) vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Pentax K-3
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Compared to Nikon D7200

Leica M (Typ 240)
Nikon D7200
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M (Typ 240) vs Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3
Nikon D7200
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

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