Pentax K-5 II vs Leica S3

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-5 II vs Leica S3

Leave Feedback

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

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-5 II Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-5 II.

Medium format 1,350.0mm²
64.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica S3 Review.

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-5 II 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
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More AF points
11 vs 1
More AF points improve autofocus
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
6.7 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.7 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
22 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-5 II

Less expensive
$19 vs $1450 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
Medium format vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More viewfinder magnification
1.09x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
64.0 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
125 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 28 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-5 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read S3 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-5 II

Body Only

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

All K-5 II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica S3

Review Excerpt

Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Sharp, detailed images with very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.
Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.
Read our Pentax K-5 II Review

We haven’t reviewed the Leica S3.
Read our Leica S3 Preview

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Pentax K-5 II

Nikon D7000

$699
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More telephoto lens reach

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Nikon D7000

Leica S3

Nikon D7000

$19
Medium format

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Internal flash

Compare Leica S3 vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-30

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax K-30

Leica S3

Pentax K-30

$19
Medium format

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$599
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S3 vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-5 II

Canon T4i

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$579
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Canon T4i

Leica S3

Canon T4i

$19
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$579
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon T4i

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-5 II

Canon 5DS R

$699
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

$1729
35mm

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Canon 5DS R

Leica S3

Canon 5DS R

$19
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1729
35mm

Lens selection
More cross-type AF points

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Pentax K-1

Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-1

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-5 II 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

Compare Other Cameras?