Leica Q vs Pentax K-1 II

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Leica Q vs Pentax K-1 II

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35mm 864.0mm²
24.0 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Leica Q Review.

35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-1 II.
Compare Pentax K-1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-1 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Leica Q2
Compare Q vs Q2
Compare Leica Q2 vs Pentax K-1 II

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Differences

Leica Q advantages over Pentax K-1 II

Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 4.88 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher max flash sync
1/500 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
640g vs 1010g
Lighter weight
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Leica Q

Less expensive
$1997 vs $3695*
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
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
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
7 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
36.4 vs 24.0 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
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 50000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Q User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 II User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

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

Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.
Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.
Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX1R

Leica Q

Sony RX1R

$3695
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2598
35mm

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Leica Q vs Sony RX1R

Pentax K-1 II

Sony RX1R

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$2598
35mm

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony RX1R

Compared to Leica X-U (Typ 113)

Leica Q

Leica X-U (Typ 113)

$3695
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$3495
APS-C

Waterproof
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Leica Q vs Leica X-U (Typ 113)

Pentax K-1 II

Leica X-U (Typ 113)

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$3495
APS-C

Waterproof
Internal flash

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Leica X-U (Typ 113)

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Leica Q

Canon 5D Mark IV

$3695
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2249
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Leica Q vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2249
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Leica Q

Nikon D850

$3695
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

$2464
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Leica Q vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$2464
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compared to Leica Q2

Leica Q

Leica Q2

$3695
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$5559
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Leica Q vs Leica Q2

Pentax K-1 II

Leica Q2

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$5559
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Leica Q2

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