• Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000
  • APS-C 361.2mm2
  • 25.7 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1,600,000

Buy From

Differences

Leica S3 advantages over Pentax K-3 III

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.59 vs 3.76 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More pixels
    64.0 vs 25.7 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 30 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Leica S3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Lighter weight
    820g vs 1260g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    101 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
    12.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    1600000 vs 50000 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 III

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Leica S3
Canon 5DS R
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • More cross-type AF points
Pentax K-3 III
Canon 5DS R
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax K-1

Leica S3
Pentax K-1
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Pentax K-3 III
Pentax K-1
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax KP

Leica S3
Pentax KP
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Pentax K-3 III
Pentax KP
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Canon 6D Mark II

Leica S3
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1332
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
Pentax K-3 III
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1332
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon 90D

Leica S3
Canon 90D
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
Pentax K-3 III
Canon 90D
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Compare Other Cameras?