Pentax K-3 II vs Leica S3

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Pentax K-3 II vs Leica S3

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 II.
Compare Pentax K-3 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 II conclusion.

Medium format 1,350.0mm²
64.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica S3 Review.

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Differences

Pentax K-3 II 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
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Lighter weight
785g vs 1260g
Lighter weight
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
More AF points
27 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
8.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.2 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
22 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica S3 advantages over Pentax K-3 II

Larger sensor
Medium format vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.59 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Newer
5 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
1.09x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
64.0 vs 24.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Longer exposure
125 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 60 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
Built-in GPS
Both provide
Geotag your photos
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
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read S3 User Reviews

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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
Read our Pentax K-3 II Review

We haven’t reviewed the Leica S3.
Read our Leica S3 Preview

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T6i

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Leica S3

Canon T6i

$19
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$599
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon T6i

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-3 II

Canon 5DS R

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1729
35mm

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon 5DS R

Leica S3

Canon 5DS R

$19
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1729
35mm

Lens selection
More cross-type AF points

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Pentax K-1

Pentax K-3 II

Pentax K-1

$830
APS-C

Faster JPEG shooting
Faster RAW shooting

$1800
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-1

Leica S3

Pentax K-1

$19
Medium format

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1800
35mm

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S3 vs Pentax K-1

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

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

Leica S3

Pentax KP

$19
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S3 vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon T7i

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T7i

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T7i

Leica S3

Canon T7i

$19
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon T7i

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