• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 60.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Leica M11

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $1150 vs $8995 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica M11 advantages over Pentax K-3

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    2333k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    60.3 vs 24.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 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
  • 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 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens
All K-3 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica M11

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

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3
Nikon D7100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Leica M11
Nikon D7100
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Internal flash

Compare Leica M11 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Canon 70D

Pentax K-3
Canon 70D
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 70D

Leica M11
Canon 70D
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica M11 vs Canon 70D

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 M11
Nikon D5300
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica M11 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Sony A77 II

Pentax K-3
Sony A77 II
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony A77 II

Leica M11
Sony A77 II
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica M11 vs Sony A77 II

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 M11
Nikon D7200
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • NFC

Compare Leica M11 vs Nikon D7200

Compare Other Cameras?