Pentax K-7 vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-7 vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Leave Feedback

APS-C 369.7mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-7 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-7.

Medium format 1,350.0mm²
37.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Leica S (Typ 006) Review.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5
Compare K-7 vs K-5
Compare Pentax K-5 vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-7 advantages over Leica S (Typ 006)

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1300 vs $21950 (MSRP)
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
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Lighter weight
758g vs 1260g
Lighter weight
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
5.2 fps vs 1.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 1600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica S (Typ 006) advantages over Pentax K-7

Larger sensor
Medium format vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 5.07 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
S (Typ 006) test data on DxO Mark K-7 test data on DxO Mark

824 vs 536 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
S (Typ 006) test data on DxO Mark K-7 test data on DxO Mark

12.2 vs 10.6 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
More viewfinder magnification
1.09x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
37.5 vs 14.6 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

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
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

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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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-7 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-7

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica S (Typ 006)

Body Only (Black)

All S (Typ 006) Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K-7 Full Review

We haven’t reviewed the Leica S (Typ 006).
Read our Leica S (Typ 006) Preview

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-7

Sony DSLR-A380

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Longer stills battery life

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Leica S (Typ 006)

Sony DSLR-A380

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$849
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Leica S (Typ 006) vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Canon T2i

Pentax K-7

Canon T2i

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$692
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Canon T2i

Leica S (Typ 006)

Canon T2i

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$692
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Leica S (Typ 006) vs Canon T2i

Compared to Sony A55

Pentax K-7

Sony A55

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$734
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony A55

Leica S (Typ 006)

Sony A55

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$734
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Leica S (Typ 006) vs Sony A55

Compared to Leica S (Typ 007)

Pentax K-7

Leica S (Typ 007)

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$19995
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Leica S (Typ 007)

Leica S (Typ 006)

Leica S (Typ 007)

$10535
Medium format

$19995
Medium format

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Leica S (Typ 006) vs Leica S (Typ 007)

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Pentax K-7

Leica S-E (Typ 006)

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$16900
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Leica S (Typ 006)

Leica S-E (Typ 006)

$10535
Medium format

$16900
Medium format

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

Compare Leica S (Typ 006) vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compare Other Cameras?