• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

Buy From

Differences

Leica V-LUX 3 advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Less expensive
    $1700* vs $1997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    540g vs 1010g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Leica V-LUX 3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 410 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    7 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica V-LUX 3
Leica V-LUX 3
All V-LUX 3 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-1 II
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-105mm Lens
All K-1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

  • Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic FZ150

Leica V-LUX 3
Panasonic FZ150
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • External Mic Jack
  • Longer exposure
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Panasonic FZ150

Pentax K-1 II
Panasonic FZ150
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Lighter weight

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic FZ150

Compared to Panasonic FZ200

Leica V-LUX 3
Panasonic FZ200
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Panasonic FZ200

Pentax K-1 II
Panasonic FZ200
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic FZ200

Compared to Leica V-LUX 4

Leica V-LUX 3
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Leica V-LUX 4

Pentax K-1 II
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Lighter weight

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Leica V-LUX 4

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Leica V-LUX 3
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Leica V-LUX 3
Nikon D850
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compare Other Cameras?