Pentax K-5 vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

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Pentax K-5 vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

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APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

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

35mm 855.6mm²
24.0 megapixels
ISO 320 - 25,000

Go in depth with our full Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) Review.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5 II
Compare K-5 vs K-5 II
Compare Pentax K-5 II vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

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Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$800 vs $7595
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
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
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
6.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) advantages over Pentax K-5

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.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.01 vs 4.81 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Thinner
42 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
Newer
10 years vs 14 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
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
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
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
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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Review Excerpt

Excellent high ISO performance, one of the best APS-C sensors yet; 6.5 fps burst mode has very good buffer depths; Weather, dust, and cold resistant; In-body Shake Reduction corrects not only horizontal / vertical, but also rotational motion.
Default saturation and contrast a bit high; Auto white balance too warm in tungsten light; Fewer AF points than main competitors; Only a single card slot, and no UHS-I card support (slow buffer clearing).
Read our Pentax K-5 Full Review

We haven’t reviewed the Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246).
Read our Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) Preview

The Competition

Compared to Canon T3i

Pentax K-5

Canon T3i

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon T3i

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Canon T3i

$7595
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) vs Canon T3i

Compared to Nikon D5100

Pentax K-5

Nikon D5100

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Top deck display

$650
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon D5100

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Nikon D5100

$7595
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5

Pentax K-30

$800
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-30

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Pentax K-30

$7595
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$599
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

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

Compared to Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Pentax K-5

Leica M-P (Typ 240)

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$7495
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

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

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica M-P (Typ 240)

$7595
35mm

Longer exposure
Higher extended ISO

$7495
35mm

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

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Pentax K-5

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$800
APS-C

Rear display
Lens selection

$5995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$7595
35mm

Rear display
Focus peaking

$5995
35mm

Compare Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

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