Pentax K-7 vs Leica SL2

Cameras
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Pentax K-7 vs Leica SL2

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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.

35mm 864.0mm²
47.3 megapixels
ISO 50 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica SL2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SL2.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5
Compare K-7 vs K-5
Compare Pentax K-5 vs Leica SL2

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Differences

Pentax K-7 advantages over Leica SL2

Bigger pixels
~ 5.07 vs 4.30 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

740 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Leica SL2 advantages over Pentax K-7

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.
Shoot 4K video
5K vs No
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Thinner
42 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
5 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
2100k vs 921k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
47.3 vs 14.6 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
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
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 20 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/40000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
50000 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-7 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K-7 Full Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Leica SL2, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Leica SL2 Shooter's Report

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 SL2

Sony DSLR-A380

$5245
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$849
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 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 SL2

Canon T2i

$5245
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$692
APS-C

Internal flash
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Leica SL2 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 SL2

Sony A55

$5245
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$734
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Sony A55

Compared to Nikon Z7

Pentax K-7

Nikon Z7

$1300
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2147
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Nikon Z7

Leica SL2

Nikon Z7

$5245
35mm

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$2147
35mm

Tiltable Screen
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z7

Compared to Sony A1

Pentax K-7

Sony A1

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$5498
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony A1

Leica SL2

Sony A1

$5245
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$5498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Sony A1

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