• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 100,000

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Differences

Pentax K-1 advantages over Leica SL2-S

  • Less expensive
    $1800 vs $4895 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 24.6 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 100000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica SL2-S advantages over Pentax K-1

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.93 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Newer
    4 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    500 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    25.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 74 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

  • Unlocks the full potential of full-frame Pentax lenses; Excellent image quality; Great ergonomics and build; Very compact for full-frame; Decent performance; Fast autofocus with great low-light capabilities; Very wide sensitivity range; Bright, accurate viewfinder; Articulated LCD; Stabilization, Wi-Fi and GPS in-camera

  • No built-in flash strobe; Quite heavy compared to APS-C flagships; Somewhat soft images and blown highlights by default in JPEG mode; Warm Auto white balance indoors; Slow startup and buffer clearing; Small top-deck status display; Weak viewfinder illumination; Below-average battery life for DSLR

  • Read our Pentax K-1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS

Pentax K-1
Canon 5DS
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS

Leica SL2-S
Canon 5DS
  • $4895
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • More pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Leica SL2-S vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-1
Canon 5DS R
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1849
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS R

Leica SL2-S
Canon 5DS R
  • $4895
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1849
  • 35mm
  • More pixels

Compare Leica SL2-S vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-1 II

Leica SL2-S
Pentax K-1 II
  • $4895
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Leica SL2-S vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Canon R6

Pentax K-1
Canon R6
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • High resolution composite
  • Built-in GPS
  • $2149
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon R6

Leica SL2-S
Canon R6
  • $4895
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • High resolution composite
  • $2149
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Leica SL2-S vs Canon R6

Compared to Canon R3

Pentax K-1
Canon R3
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon R3

Leica SL2-S
Canon R3
  • $4895
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Leica SL2-S vs Canon R3

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