• Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 37.5 megapixels
  • ISO 80 - 1250
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Leica S2 advantages over Pentax K-3 II

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 3.91 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.08x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    37.5 vs 24.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Leica S2

  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • 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
  • Newer
    10 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    785g vs 1410g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k 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
  • More AF points
    27 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 shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 1250 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica S2
Leica S2

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 II
Body Only (Black)
All K-3 II Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots

  • No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors

  • Read our Pentax K-3 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax 645D

Leica S2
Pentax 645D
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Leica S2 vs Pentax 645D

Pentax K-3 II
Pentax 645D
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax 645D

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Leica S2
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • More dots on screen

Compare Leica S2 vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Pentax K-3 II
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Leica S2
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Leica S2 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Pentax K-3 II
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Canon T6i

Leica S2
Canon T6i
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica S2 vs Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II
Canon T6i
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Compared to Pentax KP

Leica S2
Pentax KP
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica S2 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II
Pentax KP
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

Compare Other Cameras?