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Leica SL vs Pentax K-1

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Leica SL vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Leica SL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 50 - 50000
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 847g - 147 x 104 x 39mm
  • Revealed October 2015
  • Other Name is Typ 601
  • Newer Model is Leica SL2
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Later Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Leica SL vs Pentax K-1 Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Leica SL vs Pentax K-1, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Leica and Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the SL (24MP) and K-1 (36MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The SL was introduced 3 months before the K-1 and they are of a similar age. The two cameras offer different body type with the Leica SL being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SL grades vs the K-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Pentax K-1

 SL K-1 
Display resolution1040k1037kCrisper display (+3k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Leica SL

 K-1 SL 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Leica SL and Pentax K-1

 SL K-1 
IntroducedOctober 2015February 2016Same age
Manually focus Very exact focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Leica SL vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Leica SL comes with external dimensions of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has sizing of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica SL vs Pentax K-1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the SL compared to the K-1.

Leica SL vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SL and K-1 is 67 and 55 respectively.

Leica SL vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through technical specs. The picture below might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SL and K-1.

As you have seen, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax K-1 to provide greater detail using its extra 12MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively.

Leica SL vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL Portrait photography details
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography details
83
focusing manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
85
focusing manually
great megapixels (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica SL Street photography highlights
Pentax K-1 Street photography highlights
69
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
features touch focus
environment proofing
good ISO range (50,000)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
70
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
above average high ISO (204,800)
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica SL
Sports photography with Pentax K-1
67
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
no image stabilization
bad battery life (400 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames/s)
not so great battery life (760 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
65
environment proofing
features touch focus
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
bad battery life (400 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
environment proofing
great megapixels (36MP)
not so great battery life (760 per charge)
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica SL Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography factors
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (50,000)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
bad battery life (400 shots)
81
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no low pass filter
above average high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
not so great battery life (760 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL Vlogging factors
Pentax K-1 Vlogging factors
33
touchscreen enabled
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic socket
does not have a selfie friendly display
heavier than competition (1,010g)
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Leica SL vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Pentax K-1
 Leica SLPentax K-1
General Information
Brand Name Leica Pentax
Model Leica SL Pentax K-1
Also called Typ 601 -
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2015-10-21 2016-02-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Maestro II -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 50000 204800
Lowest native ISO 50 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 49 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 30 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 4,400 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash 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
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (120p, 60p, 30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 847 grams (1.87 lbs) 1010 grams (2.23 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 88 96
DXO Color Depth score 25.0 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 14.6
DXO Low light score 1821 3280
Other
Battery life 400 pictures 760 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-SCL4 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots Two Two
Retail cost $7,450 $1,499