• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,500

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Leica TL

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $830 vs $1350
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 720 vs 400 shots
    Capture more 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
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    24.4 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    60 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12500 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica TL advantages over Pentax K-3 II

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.77 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    384g vs 785g
    Lighter weight

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica TL

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 Samsung NX3000

Pentax K-3 II
Samsung NX3000
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Leica TL
Samsung NX3000
  • $1350
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

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 TL
Canon T6i
  • $1350
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

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 TL
Pentax KP
  • $1350
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

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 TL
Canon T7i
  • $1350
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Leica TL2

Pentax K-3 II
Leica TL2
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Leica TL
Leica TL2
  • $1350
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Compare Other Cameras?