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Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Leica Digilux 3 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Leica Digilux 3
(Full Review)
  • 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
  • Announced September 2006
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2018
  • Replaced the Pentax K-1
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Leica Digilux 3 versus Pentax K-1 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Leica and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the Digilux 3 (7MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the Digilux 3 (Four Thirds) and K-1 II (Full frame) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The Digilux 3 was announced 12 years before the K-1 II and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the Digilux 3 matches up versus the K-1 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica Digilux 3 over the Pentax K-1 II

 Digilux 3 K-1 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Leica Digilux 3

 K-1 II Digilux 3 
LaunchedFebruary 2018September 2006Fresher by 139 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1037k207kCrisper display (+830k dot)

Common features in the Leica Digilux 3 and Pentax K-1 II

 Digilux 3 K-1 II 
Focus manually More precise focus
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Leica Digilux 3 provides outside measurements of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") having a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-1 II has dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

See the Leica Digilux 3 versus Pentax K-1 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the Digilux 3 against the K-1 II.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Digilux 3 and K-1 II is 65 and 55 respectively.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing purely by reviewing technical specs. The graphic here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the Digilux 3 and K-1 II.

As you can tell, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Digilux 3 using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-1 II will offer greater detail with its extra 29 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older Digilux 3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Portrait photography camera
54
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (7MP)
86
manual focus
excellent MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Street photography information
Pentax K-1 II Street photography information
58
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lighter than others (606g)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
70
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
very good high ISO (819,200)
more heavy than others in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica Digilux 3
Sports photography with Pentax K-1 II
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7MP)
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
max fps low (4.4 frames/s)
terrible battery (670 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica Digilux 3
Travel photography with Pentax K-1 II
50
lighter than others (606g)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (7MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
53
environment sealing
excellent MP (36MP)
terrible battery (670 CIPA)
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Landscape photography camera
47
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.5 inches)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7MP)
no Time Lapse recording
82
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (819,200)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
has double storage slots
terrible battery (670 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica Digilux 3
Vlogging with Pentax K-1 II
9
no video
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Digilux 3 and Pentax K-1 II
 Leica Digilux 3Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Make Leica Pentax
Model type Leica Digilux 3 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2006-09-14 2018-02-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 7MP 36MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 3136 x 2352 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 1600 819200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 3 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF4
Amount of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 207k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.47x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed B+s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 606g (1.34 lb) 1010g (2.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 670 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots Single Dual
Retail pricing $1,999 $1,737