• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Leica V-LUX 3 advantages over Pentax K-50

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-50 advantages over Leica V-LUX 3

  • Less expensive
    $149 vs $1700*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    71 mm vs 95 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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-50
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm lenses
  • Kit with 18-55mm lens
All K-50 Deals

Review Excerpt

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-50
Panasonic FZ150
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Panasonic FZ150

Compared to Sony A57

Leica V-LUX 3
Sony A57
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • External Mic Jack
  • Longer exposure
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Sony A57

Pentax K-50
Sony A57
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A57

Compared to Sony A37

Leica V-LUX 3
Sony A37
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 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 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-50
Panasonic FZ200
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-50 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-50
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Leica V-LUX 4

Compare Other Cameras?