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Leica Q2 Monochrom vs Pentax K-30

Portability
60
Imaging
81
Features
66
Overall
75
Leica Q2 Monochrom front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61

Leica Q2 Monochrom vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Leica Q2 Monochrom
(Full Review)
  • 47MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 100000
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • 28mm (F1.7) lens
  • 734g - 130 x 80 x 92mm
  • Introduced October 2020
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced October 2012
  • Successor is Pentax K-50
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Leica Q2 Monochrom vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Leica Q2 Monochrom versus Pentax K-30, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Leica and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the Q2 Monochrom (47MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the Q2 Monochrom (Full frame) and K-30 (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

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The Q2 Monochrom was launched 8 years after the K-30 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Leica Q2 Monochrom being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summation of how the Q2 Monochrom matches up vs the K-30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica Q2 Monochrom over the Pentax K-30

 Q2 Monochrom K-30 
AnnouncedOctober 2020October 2012More modern by 97 months
Display resolution1040k921kCrisper display (+119k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Leica Q2 Monochrom

 K-30 Q2 Monochrom 

Common features in the Leica Q2 Monochrom and Pentax K-30

 Q2 Monochrom K-30 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Leica Q2 Monochrom vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Leica Q2 Monochrom enjoys outside dimensions of 130mm x 80mm x 92mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 734 grams (1.62 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-30 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check out the Leica Q2 Monochrom versus Pentax K-30 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the Q2 Monochrom and the K-30.

Leica Q2 Monochrom vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the Q2 Monochrom and K-30 is 60 and 63 respectively.

Leica Q2 Monochrom vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Leica Q2 Monochrom vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes only by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q2 Monochrom and K-30.

Clearly, both cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Q2 Monochrom because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Leica Q2 Monochrom will provide extra detail utilizing its extra 31MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images more aggressively. The more modern Q2 Monochrom should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Leica Q2 Monochrom vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Leica Q2 Monochrom vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Q2 Monochrom vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica Q2 Monochrom as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Portrait photography camera
88
you can focus manually
above average flash sync (1/500s)
resolution is high (47 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica Q2 Monochrom
Street photography with Pentax K-30
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
features touch focus
weather proofing
very good ISO range (100,000)
no moving screen
more heavy than others in class (734 grams)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Leica Q2 Monochrom as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
80
quiet mode (1/40,000s)
high max frames per second (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is high (47 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery (350 CIPA)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
lacks phase detect autofocus
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (6.0 fps)
bad battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Leica Q2 Monochrom Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Travel photography highlights
66
great battery (350 CIPA)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
features touch focus
resolution is high (47MP)
very good max aperture (f1.7)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (734 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
60
environment proofing
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
bad battery life (410 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica Q2 Monochrom as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
77
you can focus manually
very good max aperture (f1.7)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is high (47 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good ISO range (100,000)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
great battery (350 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
73
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica Q2 Monochrom as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
32
very good max aperture (f1.7)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of microphone port
more heavy than others in class (734g)
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Leica Q2 Monochrom vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Q2 Monochrom and Pentax K-30
 Leica Q2 MonochromPentax K-30
General Information
Brand Name Leica Pentax
Model type Leica Q2 Monochrom Pentax K-30
Category Large Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2020-10-11 2012-10-29
Body design Large Sensor Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 47 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 8368 x 5584 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 100000 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 49 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Highest aperture f/1.7 -
Macro focusing distance 17cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,040k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,680k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/40000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 20.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 734 gr (1.62 lb) 650 gr (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 80 x 92mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.6") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1129
Other
Battery life 350 shots 410 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-SCL4 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $5,995 $525