Pentax K-3 vs Leica TL2

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Pentax K-3 vs Leica TL2

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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.

APS-C 370.5mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica TL2 Review.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II
Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Leica TL2

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Leica TL2

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
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 250 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
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
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 29 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Leica TL2 advantages over Pentax K-3

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
Thinner
33 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Newer
7 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/40000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read TL2 User Reviews

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Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

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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 TL2.
Read our Leica TL2 Preview

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 TL2

Nikon D7100

$2495
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$810
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Leica TL2 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 TL2

Nikon D5300

$2495
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica TL2 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Samsung NX500

Pentax K-3

Samsung NX500

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$1600
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Samsung NX500

Leica TL2

Samsung NX500

$2495
APS-C

Faster JPEG shooting
Faster RAW shooting

$1600
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica TL2 vs Samsung NX500

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 TL2

Nikon D7200

$2495
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1016
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Leica TL2 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Leica TL

Pentax K-3

Leica TL

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$1350
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Leica TL

Leica TL2

Leica TL

$2495
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1350
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica TL2 vs Leica TL

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