Leica S (Typ 007) vs Pentax K-1

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Leica S (Typ 007) vs Pentax K-1

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Medium format 1,350.0mm²
37.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Leica S (Typ 007) Review.

35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 204,800

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

Succeeded by the Pentax K-1 II
Compare K-1 vs K-1 II
Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Pentax K-1 II

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Differences

Leica S (Typ 007) advantages over Pentax K-1

Larger sensor
Medium format vs 35mm
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 4.88 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
More viewfinder magnification
1.09x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Longer exposure
125 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 74 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-1 advantages over Leica S (Typ 007)

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1800 vs $24500 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Higher max flash sync
1/200 vs 1/125 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
More AF points
33 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
4.6 fps vs 3.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
204800 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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in GPS
Both provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
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
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Leica S (Typ 007)

Body Only (Black)

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Buy the Pentax K-1

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Leica S (Typ 007).
Read our Leica S (Typ 007) Preview

Unlocks the full potential of full-frame Pentax lenses; Excellent image quality; Great ergonomics and build; Very compact for full-frame; Decent performance; Fast autofocus with great low-light capabilities; Very wide sensitivity range; Bright, accurate viewfinder; Articulated LCD; Stabilization, Wi-Fi and GPS in-camera
No built-in flash strobe; Quite heavy compared to APS-C flagships; Somewhat soft images and blown highlights by default in JPEG mode; Warm Auto white balance indoors; Slow startup and buffer clearing; Small top-deck status display; Weak viewfinder illumination; Below-average battery life for DSLR
Read our Pentax K-1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica S2

Leica S (Typ 007)

Leica S2

$19995
Medium format

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$22995
Medium format

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Leica S2

Pentax K-1

Leica S2

$1800
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$22995
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Leica S2

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Leica S (Typ 007)

Leica S (Typ 006)

$19995
Medium format

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$10535
Medium format

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Pentax K-1

Leica S (Typ 006)

$1800
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Leica S (Typ 007)

Leica S-E (Typ 006)

$19995
Medium format

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$16900
Medium format

Less expensive

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Pentax K-1

Leica S-E (Typ 006)

$1800
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$16900
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Leica S (Typ 007)

Canon 5DS R

$19995
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1499
35mm

Lens selection
More cross-type AF points

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS R

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1499
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Leica S (Typ 007)

Pentax K-1 II

$19995
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1697
35mm

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S (Typ 007) vs Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II

$1800
35mm

$1697
35mm

Higher extended ISO

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-1 II

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