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Leica M8 vs Pentax Q

Portability
79
Imaging
50
Features
31
Overall
42
Leica M8 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Leica M8 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Leica M8
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-H Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 2500
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 591g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Launched July 2007
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Leica M8 vs Pentax Q Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Leica M8 versus Pentax Q, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Leica and Pentax. The resolution of the M8 (10MP) and the Q (12MP) is relatively comparable but the M8 (APS-H) and Q (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The M8 was brought out 4 years before the Q which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the M8 scores against the Q in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Pentax Q

 M8 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Leica M8

 Q M8 
ReleasedJune 2011July 2007More modern by 47 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Leica M8 and Pentax Q

 M8 Q 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Leica M8 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Leica M8 provides exterior dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) while the Pentax Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Examine the Leica M8 versus Pentax Q in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the M8 versus the Q.

Leica M8 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the M8 and Q is 79 and 93 respectively.

Leica M8 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Leica M8 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes just by checking out a spec sheet. The pic here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the M8 and Q.

As you can see, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The M8 featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax Q will produce more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged M8 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Leica M8 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Leica M8 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M8 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M8 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
54
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (APS-H)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
45
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Leica M8 Street photography details
Pentax Q Street photography details
62
sensor size is nice (APS-H)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others in class (180 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Leica M8 Sports photography features
Pentax Q Sports photography features
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is nice (APS-H)
great battery power (550 CIPA)
no liveview
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
no phase detect autofocus
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M8
Travel photography with Pentax Q
51
great battery power (550 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
57
lighter than others in class (180g)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (230 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M8 Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q Landscape photography advice
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-H)
no anti aliasing filter
exports RAW formats
great battery power (550 CIPA)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
51
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (230 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M8 Vlogging features
Pentax Q Vlogging features
9
lack of video recording
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (180g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Leica M8 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M8 and Pentax Q
 Leica M8Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Leica Pentax
Model Leica M8 Pentax Q
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2007-07-31 2011-06-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-H 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 27 x 18mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 486.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3936 x 2630 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 2500 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Pentax Q
Number of lenses 59 8
Focal length multiplier 1.3 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 591 grams (1.30 lbs) 180 grams (0.40 lbs)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 59 47
DXO Color Depth score 21.1 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 11.1
DXO Low light score 663 189
Other
Battery life 550 photos 230 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $4,400 $695