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Leica SL vs Pentax K-7

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
55
Features
69
Overall
60

Leica SL vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs

Leica SL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 50 - 50000
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 847g - 147 x 104 x 39mm
  • Announced October 2015
  • Additionally Known as Typ 601
  • Replacement is Leica SL2
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced October 2009
  • Successor is Pentax K-5
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Leica SL vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Leica SL versus Pentax K-7, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Leica and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the SL (24MP) and K-7 (15MP) and the SL (Full frame) and K-7 (APS-C) provide different sensor dimensions.

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The SL was unveiled 6 years after the K-7 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Leica SL being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SL grades against the K-7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Pentax K-7

 SL K-7 
AnnouncedOctober 2015October 2009More modern by 74 months
Screen resolution1040k921kClearer screen (+119k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Leica SL

 K-7 SL 

Common features in the Leica SL and Pentax K-7

 SL K-7 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Leica SL vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Leica SL has outside measurements 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-7 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica SL versus Pentax K-7 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the SL and the K-7.

Leica SL vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SL and K-7 is 67 and 60 respectively.

Leica SL vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizes simply by checking out technical specs. The picture here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SL and K-7.

As you have seen, both the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SL having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Leica SL will produce greater detail having an extra 9MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent SL should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica SL vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography highlights
83
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
73
focusing manually
good resolution (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica SL as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Street photography camera
69
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
supports focus via touch
environment proofing
good ISO range (50,000)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL Sports photography details
Pentax K-7 Sports photography details
67
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (400 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL Travel photography features
Pentax K-7 Travel photography features
65
environment proofing
supports focus via touch
good resolution (24 megapixels)
not so great battery (400 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
65
weather sealing
good resolution (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica SL as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Landscape photography camera
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3")
good resolution (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (50,000)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (400 per charge)
78
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-7 Vlogging highlights
33
touchscreen functionality
has face detect autofocus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
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Leica SL vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Pentax K-7
 Leica SLPentax K-7
General Information
Make Leica Pentax
Model type Leica SL Pentax K-7
Otherwise known as Typ 601 -
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2015-10-21 2009-10-02
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Maestro II Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 50000 2000
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 50 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 49 11
Lens
Lens support Leica L Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 30 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 4,400 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 847 grams (1.87 lbs) 750 grams (1.65 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 88 61
DXO Color Depth rating 25.0 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 10.6
DXO Low light rating 1821 536
Other
Battery life 400 shots 980 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-SCL4 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots Dual 1
Price at release $7,450 $599