Pentax K-5 IIs vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

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

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

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.2 megapixels
36.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Leica X-E (Typ 102) Review.

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Differences

Pentax K-5 IIs advantages over Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Less expensive
$1200 vs $1795 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More dots on screen
921k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
6.7 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
28 vs 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 12500 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica X-E (Typ 102) advantages over Pentax K-5 IIs

Thinner
51 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
345g vs 740g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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-5 IIs User Reviews

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Body Only

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Buy the Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Leica X-E

All X-E (Typ 102) Deals

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

We haven’t reviewed the Leica X-E (Typ 102).
Read our Leica X-E (Typ 102) Preview

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 X-E (Typ 102)

Sony A35

$1534
APS-C

Thinner
Higher max flash sync

$567
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Sony A35

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Pentax K-5 IIs

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$497
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$1534
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Internal flash

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
More dots on screen

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

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 X-E (Typ 102)

Sony A57

$1534
APS-C

Thinner
Higher max flash sync

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Sony A57

Compared to Leica X2

Pentax K-5 IIs

Leica X2

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$1499
APS-C

Thinner
Lighter weight

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Leica X2

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Leica X2

$1534
APS-C

$1499
APS-C

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Leica X2

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 X-E (Typ 102)

Sony A37

$1534
APS-C

Thinner
Higher max flash sync

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Sony A37

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