Pentax K-30 vs Leica TL

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Pentax K-30 vs Leica TL

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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.

APS-C 370.5mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,500

Go in depth with our full Leica TL Review.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-50
Compare K-30 vs K-50

Succeeded by the Leica TL2
Compare TL vs TL2

Compare PENTAX K-50 vs LEICA TL2

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Differences

Pentax K-30 advantages over Leica TL

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
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
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
5.5 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
45 vs 12 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 12500 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica TL advantages over Pentax K-30

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 71 mm
Thinner
Newer
8 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
410k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-30 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read TL User Reviews

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Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Body Only (Titanium)

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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 TL.
Read our Leica TL 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 TL

Nikon D7000

$1350
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$699
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Longer stills battery life

Compare Leica TL 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 TL

Canon T4i

$1350
APS-C

Larger sensor
Built-in Wi-Fi

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica TL 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 TL

Pentax K-5 II

$1350
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$699
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica TL vs Pentax K-5 II

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Pentax K-30

Samsung NX3000

$599
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Samsung NX3000

Leica TL

Samsung NX3000

$1350
APS-C

Touchscreen
Internal flash

$950
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica TL vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Leica TL2

Pentax K-30

Leica TL2

$599
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2495
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Leica TL2

Leica TL

Leica TL2

$1350
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2495
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Leica TL vs Leica TL2

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