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Leica CL vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
82
Imaging
69
Features
58
Overall
64
Leica CL front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Leica CL vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Leica CL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 403g - 131 x 78 x 45mm
  • Introduced November 2017
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Launched August 2014
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Leica CL vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Here is a extended comparison of the Leica CL vs Pentax Q-S1, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the CL (24MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the CL (APS-C) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") have totally different sensor measurements.

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The CL was introduced 3 years later than the Q-S1 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the CL scores vs the Q-S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica CL over the Pentax Q-S1

 CL Q-S1 
LaunchedNovember 2017August 2014Fresher by 41 months
Screen resolution1040k460kSharper screen (+580k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Leica CL

 Q-S1 CL 
Manually focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Leica CL and Pentax Q-S1

 CL Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Leica CL vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Leica CL comes with outer measurements of 131mm x 78mm x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") with a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Examine the Leica CL vs Pentax Q-S1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the CL compared to the Q-S1.

Leica CL vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the CL and Q-S1 is 82 and 92 respectively.

Leica CL vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Leica CL vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the CL and Q-S1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The CL having a bigger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Leica CL will give greater detail using its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The newer CL will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica CL vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Leica CL vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica CL vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica CL Portrait photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography information
73
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW files
focusing manually not possible
46
focusing manually
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica CL
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
73
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
comes with touch focus
very good ISO range (50,000)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others in class (203g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Leica CL Sports photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography advice
63
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/25,000s)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (220 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
bad battery life (250 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica CL Travel photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography details
66
comes with touch focus
good megapixels (24MP)
low battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
60
lighter than others in class (203 grams)
flash built-in
bad battery life (250 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica CL as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
69
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (50,000)
exports RAW files
focusing manually not possible
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (220 shots)
55
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
bad battery life (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica CL Vlogging information
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging information
33
touchscreen capability
offers face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no mic port
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (203g)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic socket
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Leica CL vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica CL and Pentax Q-S1
 Leica CLPentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Name Leica Pentax
Model Leica CL Pentax Q-S1
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2017-11-21 2014-08-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Maestro II Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6014 x 4014 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 50000 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 49 -
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Pentax Q
Number of lenses 30 8
Focal length multiplier 1.5 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/25000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 403 gr (0.89 lbs) 203 gr (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 131 x 78 x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 shots 250 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC12 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $3,799 $250