Leica S2 vs Pentax K-50

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Leica S2 vs Pentax K-50

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Medium format 1,350.0mm²
37.5 megapixels
ISO 80 - 1250

Go in depth with our full Leica S2 Review.

APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-50 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-50.

Succeeded by the Leica S3
Compare S2 vs S3

Succeeded by the Pentax K-70
Compare K-50 vs K-70

Compare LEICA S3 vs PENTAX K-70

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Differences

Leica S2 advantages over Pentax K-50

Larger sensor
Medium format vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 4.81 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More viewfinder magnification
1.08x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
37.5 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Pentax K-50 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
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
922k 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
11 vs 1
More AF points improve autofocus
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster shutter
1/6000 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
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read S2 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-50 User Reviews

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Leica S2

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Buy the Pentax K-50

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm lenses
Kit with 18-55mm lens

All K-50 Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Leica S2.
Read our Leica S2 Preview

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-50, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-50 First Shots

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-50

Pentax 645D

$149
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$3599
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Pentax 645D

Compared to Sony A37

Leica S2

Sony A37

$22995
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$600
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Leica S2 vs Sony A37

Pentax K-50

Sony A37

$149
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$600
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A37

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-50

Leica S (Typ 006)

$149
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Compared to Nikon D3300

Leica S2

Nikon D3300

$22995
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$206
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

Compare Leica S2 vs Nikon D3300

Pentax K-50

Nikon D3300

$149
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$206
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D3300

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-50

Leica S-E (Typ 006)

$149
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$16900
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

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