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Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
57
Imaging
80
Features
83
Overall
81
Leica SL2 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Leica SL2
(Full Review)
  • 47MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 835g - 146 x 107 x 83mm
  • Revealed November 2019
  • Old Model is Leica SL
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced November 2013
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Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-500, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Leica and Pentax. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the SL2 (47MP) and K-500 (16MP) and the SL2 (Full frame) and K-500 (APS-C) use different sensor sizing.

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The SL2 was introduced 6 years after the K-500 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Leica SL2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SL2 scores versus the K-500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL2 over the Pentax K-500

 SL2 K-500 
AnnouncedNovember 2019November 2013More modern by 73 months
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k921kClearer display (+1179k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Leica SL2

 K-500 SL2 

Common features in the Leica SL2 and Pentax K-500

 SL2 K-500 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Leica SL2 provides physical measurements of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 835 grams (1.84 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Contrast the Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-500 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the SL2 against the K-500.

Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SL2 and K-500 is 57 and 64 respectively.

Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes only by going over specifications. The image underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SL2 and K-500.

Plainly, the 2 cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SL2 with its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Leica SL2 will offer you extra detail using its extra 31 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more modern SL2 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL2 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography factors
88
has manual focus
resolution is great (47MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
74
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica SL2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Street photography camera
72
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
has touch focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (50,000)
no articulating screen
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
very good high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL2 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Sports photography highlights
80
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/40,000s)
max fps high (20.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is great (47 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
bad battery life (370 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
great battery life (710 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica SL2
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
65
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
has touch focus
resolution is great (47MP)
bad battery life (370 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
67
great battery life (710 shots)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica SL2 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography factors
83
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is great (47MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (50,000)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
bad battery life (370 per charge)
79
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (710 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica SL2
Vlogging with Pentax K-500
36
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
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Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL2 and Pentax K-500
 Leica SL2Pentax K-500
General Information
Make Leica Pentax
Model Leica SL2 Pentax K-500
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2019-11-06 2013-11-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Maestro III PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 47 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 8368 x 5584 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 50000 51600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 225 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 30 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 2,100 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1800s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/40000s -
Continuous shutter speed 20.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 835g (1.84 lbs) 646g (1.42 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1087
Other
Battery life 370 photographs 710 photographs
Style of battery Built-in AA
Battery model BP-SCL4 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 1
Price at release $5,995 $600