• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Leica Q

  • Less expensive
    $830 vs $3695
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Leica Q advantages over Pentax K-3 II

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 3.91 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,221 vs 1,106 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • 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.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots

  • No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II
Canon T6i
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Leica Q
Canon T6i
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Leica X-U (Typ 113)

Pentax K-3 II
Leica X-U (Typ 113)
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $3495
  • APS-C
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels
Leica Q
Leica X-U (Typ 113)
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $3495
  • APS-C
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II
Pentax KP
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Leica Q
Pentax KP
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Canon T7i

Pentax K-3 II
Canon T7i
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Leica Q
Canon T7i
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Leica Q2

Pentax K-3 II
Leica Q2
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $5447
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
Leica Q
Leica Q2
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $5447
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
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