Pentax K-3 vs Leica M10

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Pentax K-3 vs Leica M10

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

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

35mm 864.0mm²
24.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica M10 Review.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II

Succeeded by the Leica M11
Compare M10 vs M11

Compare PENTAX K-3 II vs LEICA M11

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Leica M10

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
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

560 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
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
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica M10 advantages over Pentax K-3

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.05 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
38 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Newer
8 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.73x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Longer exposure
125 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

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
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
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read M10 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

We haven’t reviewed the Leica M10.
Read our Leica M10 Preview

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$745
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Leica M10

Nikon D7100

$7995
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$745
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Leica M10 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Leica M10

Nikon D5300

$7995
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica M10 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1016
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Leica M10

Nikon D7200

$7995
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1016
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Leica M10 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Pentax K-3

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$7595
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica M10

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$7995
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Longer exposure

$7595
35mm

Shoots 24p video
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Leica M10 vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Pentax K-3

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$699
APS-C

Rear display
Lens selection

$5995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica M10

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$7995
35mm

Rear display
Focus peaking

$5995
35mm

Compare Leica M10 vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

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