• Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 37.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800

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Differences

Leica S-E (Typ 006) 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)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.09x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder

Pentax K-1 advantages over Leica S-E (Typ 006)

  • 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
    $1800 vs $16900 (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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • 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
  • More AF points
    33 vs 1
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • 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
    4.6 fps vs 1.5 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 1600 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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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Review Excerpt

  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Leica S-E (Typ 006)
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $10535
  • Medium format
Pentax K-1
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax 645Z

Leica S-E (Typ 006)
Pentax 645Z
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Built-in GPS
  • Thinner
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
Pentax K-1
Pentax 645Z
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Leica S (Typ 007)

Leica S-E (Typ 006)
Leica S (Typ 007)
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Pentax K-1
Leica S (Typ 007)
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Leica S-E (Typ 006)
Canon 5DS R
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • External Mic Jack
Pentax K-1
Canon 5DS R
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Leica S-E (Typ 006)
Pentax K-1 II
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Pentax K-1
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
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