Pentax K-30 vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

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Pentax K-30 vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-30 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-30.

35mm 864.0mm²
24.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Leica M-P (Typ 240) Review.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-50
Compare K-30 vs K-50
Compare Pentax K-50 vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

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Differences

Pentax K-30 advantages over Leica M-P (Typ 240)

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
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
45 vs 24 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica M-P (Typ 240) advantages over Pentax K-30

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.05 vs 4.81 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
M-P (Typ 240) test data on DxO Mark K-30 test data on DxO Mark

1,860 vs 1,129 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
42 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
More viewfinder magnification
0.68x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.0 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Neither provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read K-30 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Pentaprism viewfinder is bright and accurate; Weather-sealed body can handle direct rain; Twin control dials make exposure control a snap; Solid build; Great image quality.
Lower resolution than some rivals; Not as small as recent Pentax entry-level and mid-range models; A couple of ergonomic and UI quirks; Shutter isn't the quietest; 18-55 kit lens isn't weather-sealed.
Read our Pentax K-30 Review

We haven’t reviewed the Leica M-P (Typ 240).
Read our Leica M-P (Typ 240) Preview

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Pentax K-30

Nikon D7000

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Nikon D7000

Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Nikon D7000

$7495
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Internal flash

Compare Leica M-P (Typ 240) vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-30

Canon T4i

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$579
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Canon T4i

Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Canon T4i

$7495
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$579
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Leica M-P (Typ 240) vs Canon T4i

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5 II

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 II

Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Pentax K-5 II

$7495
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica M-P (Typ 240) vs Pentax K-5 II

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Pentax K-30

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$599
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$7595
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$7495
35mm

$7595
35mm

Longer exposure
Higher extended ISO

Compare Leica M-P (Typ 240) vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Pentax K-30

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$599
APS-C

Rear display
Lens selection

$5995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$7495
35mm

Rear display
Focus peaking

$5995
35mm

Longer exposure

Compare Leica M-P (Typ 240) vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

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