Pentax K-x vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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Pentax K-x vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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APS-C 369.7mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

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

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

Go in depth with our full Leica SL (Typ 601) Review.
How does it shoot? Leica SL (Typ 601) in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL (Typ 601).
What’s the bottom line? Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-r
Compare K-x vs K-r

Succeeded by the Leica SL2
Compare SL (Typ 601) vs SL2

Compare PENTAX K-R vs LEICA SL2

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Differences

Pentax K-x advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Fast startup
~0.60 vs 1.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 SL (Typ 601) advantages over Pentax K-x

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
4K (DCI) vs 720p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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.
SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark K-x test data on DxO Mark

1,821 vs 811 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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
Thinner
39 mm vs 69 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
9 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
1040k 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
More viewfinder magnification
0.80x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.2 vs 12.4 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
10.6 fps vs 4.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 25 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
50000 vs 12800 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
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 Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

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Read K-x User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K-x Full Review

Superb build quality; Amazing EVF; Great image quality from RAW files; Good high ISO performance; Very good dynamic range; Very low shutter lag; Fast AF on stationary objects; Class-leading ~11 fps burst mode; 4K DCI and UHD video; Full HD up to 120p. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS; Dual card slots; Decent battery life for its class.
Big for a full-frame mirrorless camera; Very slow buffer clearing; Contrast-detect AF system struggles with moving subjects; In-camera JPEGs are muted and dull; Very limited native lens selection (but supports many other Leica lenses via adapters); Expensive.
Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-x

Sony DSLR-A380

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony DSLR-A380

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony DSLR-A380

$3802
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$849
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-7

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-7

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Pentax K-7

$3802
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1300
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-r

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-r

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Pentax K-r

$3802
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Pentax K-r

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Pentax K-x

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$702
APS-C

Rear display
Lens selection

$5995
35mm

Larger sensor
Thinner

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

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$3802
35mm

Rear display
Focus peaking

$5995
35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A9

Pentax K-x

Sony A9

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$2997
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

$2997
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

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