Leica SL2vs Pentax K-3 Mark III
VS
Pentax
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
Starting from £1699 new
Best for DSLR enthusiasts & outdoor photographers
View Pentax K-3 Mark III
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Commercial, Landscape, Video — Leica SL2 (2019): Leica's most capable system camera — excellent for photographers who want L-mount glass access.
Dslr Enthusiasts & Outdoor Photographers — Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021): The finest APS-C DSLR ever made — class-leading weather sealing, optical viewfinder, 5-axis IBIS, and extraordinary build for photographers committed to DSLR.
Who should buy what
Leica SL2 (2019)
- Commercial photographers who want Leica quality with modern AF
- Filmmakers who want Leica glass with video capability
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
- DSLR photographers who want the finest APS-C optical viewfinder experience
- Outdoor and weather photographers who need robust all-weather sealing
- Pentax lens owners who want to use their existing K-mount glass
- Photographers who prefer optical viewfinders and refuse to switch to mirrorless
Quick take: The leica sl2 has the highest resolution at 47mp; the pentax k-3 mark iii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Leica SL2 (2019) | Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,200 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | Full-frame CMOS 35mm | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) |
| Resolution | 47.3MP | 25.7MP |
| Video | 5K 30fps, 4K 60fps, 1080p 180fps | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, AI-based scene recognition | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) |
| Burst Rate | 20fps | 12fps |
| Battery Life | 370 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 835g (body only) | 820g body only |
| Dimensions | 146.0 × 107.0 × 80.5mm | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.10M-dot | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L-Mount | Pentax KF-mount |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C 3.1, HDMI full-size | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Leica SL2 | Pentax K-3 Mark III |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Portrait | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
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Camera family history