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Leica TL vs Pentax Q

Portability
85
Imaging
60
Features
58
Overall
59
Leica TL front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Leica TL vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Leica TL
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 384g - 134 x 69 x 33mm
  • Released November 2016
  • Successor is Leica TL2
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
  • Announced June 2011
  • Successor is Pentax Q10
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Leica TL vs Pentax Q Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Leica TL versus Pentax Q, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Leica and Pentax. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the TL (16MP) and Q (12MP) and the TL (APS-C) and Q (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor size.

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The TL was announced 5 years later than the Q and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the TL matches up against the Q in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica TL over the Pentax Q

 TL Q 
AnnouncedNovember 2016June 2011More recent by 66 months
Screen sizing3.7"3"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1230k460kClearer screen (+770k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Leica TL

 Q TL 

Common features in the Leica TL and Pentax Q

 TL Q 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Leica TL vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica TL enjoys physical measurements of 134mm x 69mm x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 384 grams (0.85 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

See the Leica TL versus Pentax Q in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the TL compared to the Q.

Leica TL vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the TL and Q is 85 and 93 respectively.

Leica TL vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Leica TL vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor measurements only by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the TL and Q.

Clearly, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The TL using its bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Leica TL will give you extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more modern TL provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica TL vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Leica TL vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Leica TL Portrait photography info
Pentax Q Portrait photography info
76
manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
45
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Leica TL Street photography highlights
Pentax Q Street photography highlights
70
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
provides focus via touch
fixed screen
no image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than others (180g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Leica TL Sports photography info
Pentax Q Sports photography info
55
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
max fps low (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (230 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica TL Travel photography info
Pentax Q Travel photography info
70
provides focus via touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
57
lighter than others (180 grams)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (230 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica TL Landscape photography info
Pentax Q Landscape photography info
70
manual focus
change lenses (Leica L mount)
very good size screen (3.7 inches)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
51
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (230 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica TL Vlogging features
Pentax Q Vlogging features
33
screen is touchscreen
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have microphone support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (180 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing mic jack
Photography Glossary

Leica TL vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica TL and Pentax Q
 Leica TLPentax Q
General Information
Make Leica Pentax
Model type Leica TL Pentax Q
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2016-11-08 2011-06-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12500 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Leica L Pentax Q
Available lenses 4 8
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.7" 3"
Screen resolution 1,230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.50 m (at ISO 100) 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, off, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 384 grams (0.85 lb) 180 grams (0.40 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 69 x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 47
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 189
Other
Battery life 400 pictures 230 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-DC13 D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Internal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $1,009 $695