Leica M Monochrom vs Pentax K-5 II

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Leica M Monochrom vs Pentax K-5 II

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35mm 855.6mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 320 - 10,000

Go in depth with our full Leica M Monochrom Review.

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-5 II Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-5 II.

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Differences

Leica M Monochrom advantages over Pentax K-5 II

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.86 vs 4.81 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Thinner
37 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
More viewfinder magnification
0.68x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Pentax K-5 II advantages over Leica M Monochrom

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1450 vs $7950 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
More dots on screen
921k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
6.7 fps vs 2.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
28 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 10000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-5 II User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Leica M Monochrom.
Read our Leica M Monochrom Preview

Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Sharp, detailed images with very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.
Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.
Read our Pentax K-5 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Leica M Monochrom

Nikon D7000

$7950
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Nikon D7000

Pentax K-5 II

Nikon D7000

$699
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More telephoto lens reach

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Pentax K-30

Leica M Monochrom

Pentax K-30

$7950
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$599
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-30

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Leica M Monochrom

Leica M (Typ 240)

$7950
35mm

Higher extended ISO

$6995
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoots 24p video

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Pentax K-5 II

Leica M (Typ 240)

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$6995
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Leica M Monochrom

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

$7950
35mm

Higher extended ISO

$7999
35mm

Focus peaking

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

Pentax K-5 II

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$7999
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Compared to Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Leica M Monochrom

Leica M-P (Typ 240)

$7950
35mm

Higher extended ISO

$7495
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoots 24p video

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

Pentax K-5 II

Leica M-P (Typ 240)

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$7495
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

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