• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 320 - 10,000
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Leica M Monochrom advantages over Pentax K-500

  • 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 71 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-500 advantages over Leica M Monochrom

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $600 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 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

  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica M Monochrom
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Silver)
All M Monochrom Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-500
Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses
  • Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All K-500 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A57

Leica M Monochrom
Sony A57
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Sony A57

Pentax K-500
Sony A57
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Leica M Monochrom
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax K-500
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

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-500
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-500 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-500
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-500 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-500
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

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