• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Leica S3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    11 vs 1
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.2 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.2 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    9 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica S3 advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $19 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.09x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    64.0 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-S2
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Buy the Leica S3

Review Excerpt

  • Very compact for a weather-sealed DSLR; Good ergonomics and great viewfinder; Excellent image quality; Decent performance for its class; Articulated screen is great for difficult compositions; Offers features not found in other Pentax DSLRs

  • 18-50mm kit lens is fiddly and prone to jamming when retracted; Wi-Fi is slow and unintuitive; Slow startup; Limited movie mode; Poor battery life for a DSLR; Priced too close to its enthusiast-grade sibling

  • Read our Pentax K-S2 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-500

Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-500

Leica S3
Pentax K-500
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S3 vs Pentax K-500

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-S1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-S1

Leica S3
Pentax K-S1
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S3 vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Nikon D5500

Pentax K-S2
Nikon D5500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D5500

Leica S3
Nikon D5500
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica S3 vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Pentax K-1

Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • High resolution composite

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-1

Leica S3
Pentax K-1
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S3 vs Pentax K-1

Compared to Canon 6D Mark II

Pentax K-S2
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Canon 6D Mark II

Leica S3
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica S3 vs Canon 6D Mark II

Compare Other Cameras?