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Leica C-Lux vs Pentax K-r

Portability
85
Imaging
54
Features
66
Overall
58
Leica C-Lux front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Leica C-Lux vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Leica C-Lux
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 340g - 113 x 67 x 46mm
  • Announced June 2018
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Leica C-Lux vs Pentax K-r Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Leica C-Lux and Pentax K-r, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Leica and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the C-Lux (20MP) and K-r (12MP) and the C-Lux (1") and K-r (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

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The C-Lux was released 7 years later than the K-r and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Leica C-Lux being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the C-Lux matches up vs the K-r in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica C-Lux over the Pentax K-r

 C-Lux K-r 
IntroducedJune 2018March 2011More recent by 89 months
Screen resolution1240k921kSharper screen (+319k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Leica C-Lux

 K-r C-Lux 

Common features in the Leica C-Lux and Pentax K-r

 C-Lux K-r 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Leica C-Lux vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Leica C-Lux has got external measurements of 113mm x 67mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.8") with a weight of 340 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Pentax K-r has dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Contrast the Leica C-Lux and Pentax K-r in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the C-Lux and the K-r.

Leica C-Lux vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the C-Lux and K-r is 85 and 67 respectively.

Leica C-Lux vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Leica C-Lux vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements just by checking a spec sheet. The visual here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the C-Lux and K-r.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The C-Lux due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh tougher and the Leica C-Lux will resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern C-Lux should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Leica C-Lux vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Leica C-Lux vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

Leica C-Lux vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica C-Lux as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
65
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica C-Lux Street photography info
Pentax K-r Street photography info
76
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW files
includes focus via touch
no articulating screen
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Leica C-Lux Sports photography advice
Pentax K-r Sports photography advice
70
excellent zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
offers tracking focus
good battery power (370 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
55
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12MP)
low battery pack (470 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Leica C-Lux Travel photography details
Pentax K-r Travel photography details
75
good battery power (370 per charge)
connects via bluetooth
includes focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (360mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
47
built-in flash
low battery pack (470 shots)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica C-Lux Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-r Landscape photography highlights
70
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW files
good battery power (370 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica C-Lux
Vlogging with Pentax K-r
34
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone port
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Leica C-Lux vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica C-Lux and Pentax K-r
 Leica C-LuxPentax K-r
General Information
Brand Leica Pentax
Model Leica C-Lux Pentax K-r
Class Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2018-06-10 2011-03-11
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 125 200
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 80 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 49 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-360mm (15.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,240 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,330 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.80 m (at Auto ISO) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 340 gr (0.75 pounds) 598 gr (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 113 x 67 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.8") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 755
Other
Battery life 370 photos 470 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $1,050 $1,100