• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 60.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-5 IIs advantages over Leica M11

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $1200 vs $8995 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.76 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica M11 advantages over Pentax K-5 IIs

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    2333k vs 921k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    60.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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 GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-5 IIs
Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica M11

Review Excerpt

  • Noticeably better sharpness than standard K-5 II; Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.

  • Prone to moire, aliasing, and false color artifacts; 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 IIs Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A35

Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A35
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A35

Leica M11
Sony A35
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M11 vs Sony A35

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A57
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A57

Leica M11
Sony A57
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M11 vs Sony A57

Compared to Sony A37

Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A37
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A37

Leica M11
Sony A37
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M11 vs Sony A37

Compared to Sony A58

Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A58
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A58

Leica M11
Sony A58
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M11 vs Sony A58

Compared to Pentax K-500

Pentax K-5 IIs
Pentax K-500
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Top deck display
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax K-500

Leica M11
Pentax K-500
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M11 vs Pentax K-500

Compare Other Cameras?