• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Pentax K-3 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • 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
    7.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    24 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

  • Less expensive
    $19 vs $1150 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Newer
    5 years vs 11 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 75 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3
Nikon D7100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Leica S3
Nikon D7100
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Internal flash

Compare Leica S3 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 S3
Canon 70D
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica S3 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 S3
Nikon D5300
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica S3 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-3
Canon 5DS R
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 5DS R

Leica S3
Canon 5DS R
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Pentax K-1

Pentax K-3
Pentax K-1
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 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

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