Leica M10-P vs Pentax K-S2

The Leica M10-P and the Pentax K-S2 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2018 and February 2015. The M10-P is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera, while the K-S2 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a full frame (M10-P) and an APS-C (K-S2) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 23.8 megapixels, whereas the Pentax provides 20 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Leica M10-P		Pentax K-S2
Rangefinder camera		Digital single lens reflex
Leica M mount lenses		Pentax K mount lenses
23.8 MP, Full Frame Sensor		20 MP, APS-C Sensor
no Video		1080/30p Video
ISO 100-50,000		ISO 100-51,200
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 1037k dots		3.0 LCD, 921k dots
Fixed touchscreen		Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
5 shutter flaps per second		5.4 shutter flaps per second
no shake reduction		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
210 shots per battery charge		410 shots per battery charge
139 x 80 x 39 mm, 660 g		123 x 91 x 73 mm, 678 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica M10-P and the Pentax K-S2? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Leica M10-P and the Pentax K-S2 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The M10-P can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the K-S2 is available in six color-versions (black, grey, pink, orange, green, white).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica M10-P and the Pentax K-S2 are of equal size. However, the K-S2 is slightly heavier (3 percent) than the M10-P. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Leica M10-P	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Aug 2018	7,995
2.		Pentax K-S2	123 mm	91 mm	73 mm	678 g	410	Y	Feb 2015	749
3.		Leica M10-R	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Jul 2020	8,295
4.		Leica M-E Typ 240	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Jun 2019	3,999
5.		Leica CL	131 mm	78 mm	45 mm	403 g	220	n	Nov 2017	2,795
6.		Leica M10	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Jan 2017	6,595
7.		Leica TL2	134 mm	69 mm	33 mm	399 g	250	n	Jul 2017	1,950
8.		Leica M Typ 262	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Nov 2015	5,195
9.		Leica Q Typ 116	130 mm	80 mm	93 mm	640 g	300	n	Jun 2015	4,249
10.		Leica M Typ 240	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Sep 2012	6,950
11.		Leica M9	139 mm	80 mm	37 mm	585 g	..	n	Sep 2009	7,999
12.		Leica M8	139 mm	80 mm	37 mm	591 g	..	n	Sep 2006	5,499
13.		Pentax KP	132 mm	101 mm	76 mm	703 g	390	Y	Jan 2017	1,099
14.		Pentax K-70	126 mm	93 mm	74 mm	688 g	410	Y	Jun 2016	649
15.		Pentax K-3 II	131 mm	100 mm	77 mm	800 g	720	Y	Apr 2015	1,099
16.		Pentax K-S1	121 mm	93 mm	70 mm	558 g	410	n	Aug 2014	749
17.		Pentax K-3	131 mm	100 mm	77 mm	800 g	560	Y	Oct 2013	1,299
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The K-S2 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 91 percent) than the M10-P, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica M10-P features a full frame sensor and the Pentax K-S2 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the K-S2 is 57 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 23.8MP, the M10-P offers a higher resolution than the K-S2 (20MP), but the M10-P nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.00μm versus 4.28μm for the K-S2) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the M10-P is a much more recent model (by 3 years and 6 months) than the K-S2, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Leica M10-P implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the M10-P for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 29.8 x 20 inches or 75.6 x 50.7 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 23.8 x 16 inches or 60.5 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 19.8 x 13.3 inches or 50.4 x 33.8 cm. The corresponding values for the Pentax K-S2 are 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm for good quality, 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm for very good quality, and 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica M10-P has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 50000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Pentax K-S2 are ISO 100 to ISO 51200 (no boost).

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Leica M10-P	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	..	..	..	..
2.		Pentax K-S2	APS-C	20.0	5472	3648	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
3.		Leica M10-R	Full Frame	40.9	7864	5200	none	..	..	..	..
4.		Leica M-E Typ 240	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	1080/25p	..	..	..	..
5.		Leica CL	APS-C	24.1	6014	4014	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
6.		Leica M10	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	24.4	13.2	2133	86
7.		Leica TL2	APS-C	24.1	6014	4014	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
8.		Leica M Typ 262	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	none	..	..	..	..
9.		Leica Q Typ 116	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.3	12.7	2221	85
10.		Leica M Typ 240	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	1080/25p	24.0	13.3	1860	84
11.		Leica M9	Full Frame	18.1	5212	3472	none	22.5	11.7	884	69
12.		Leica M8	APS-H	10.4	3936	2630	none	21.1	11.3	663	59
13.		Pentax KP	APS-C	24.1	6016	4000	1080/60i	..	..	..	..
14.		Pentax K-70	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60i	..	..	..	..
15.		Pentax K-3 II	APS-C	24.1	6016	4000	1080/60i	23.6	13.6	1106	80
16.		Pentax K-S1	APS-C	20.0	5472	3648	1080/30p	23.5	13.0	1061	78
17.		Pentax K-3	APS-C	24.1	6016	4000	1080/60i	23.7	13.4	1216	80

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The K-S2 indeed provides for movie recording, while the M10-P does not. The highest resolution format that the K-S2 can use is 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The M10-P and the K-S2 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the M10-P has a higher magnification than the one of the K-S2 (0.73x vs 0.63x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica M10-P, the Pentax K-S2, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Leica M10-P	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
2.		Pentax K-S2	optical	n	3.0	921	swivel	n	1/6000s	5.4	Y	Y
3.		Leica M10-R	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.5	n	n
4.		Leica M-E Typ 240	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
5.		Leica CL	2360	Y	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	n
6.		Leica M10	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
7.		Leica TL2	optional	n	3.7	1230	fixed	Y	1/4000s	7.0	n	n
8.		Leica M Typ 262	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
9.		Leica Q Typ 116	3680	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0	n	Y
10.		Leica M Typ 240	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
11.		Leica M9	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.0	n	n
12.		Leica M8	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	2.0	n	n
13.		Pentax KP	optical	n	3.0	921	tilting	n	1/6000s	7.0	Y	Y
14.		Pentax K-70	optical	n	3.0	921	swivel	n	1/6000s	6.0	Y	Y
15.		Pentax K-3 II	optical	Y	3.2	1037	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.3	n	Y
16.		Pentax K-S1	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/6000s	5.4	Y	Y
17.		Pentax K-3	optical	Y	3.2	1037	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.3	Y	Y

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The M10-P has a touchscreen, while the K-S2 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The Leica M10-P and the Pentax K-S2 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the M10-P and the K-S2 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica M10-P and Pentax K-S2 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Leica M10-P	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
2.		Pentax K-S2	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
3.		Leica M10-R	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
4.		Leica M-E Typ 240	Y	mono	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Leica CL	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
6.		Leica M10	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
7.		Leica TL2	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
8.		Leica M Typ 262	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Leica Q Typ 116	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
10.		Leica M Typ 240	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Leica M9	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Leica M8	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Pentax KP	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	-	2.0	Y	-	-
14.		Pentax K-70	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
15.		Pentax K-3 II	Y	mono	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	-	-	-
16.		Pentax K-S1	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Pentax K-3	Y	mono	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	-	-	-

Both the M10-P and the K-S2 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The K-S2 replaced the earlier Pentax K-S1, while the M10-P followed on from the Leica M9-P. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Leica and Pentax websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica M10-P and the Pentax K-S2? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Leica M10-P:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (23.8 vs 20MP) with a 9% higher linear resolution.
• Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.73x vs 0.63x).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1037k vs 921k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
• More modern: Reflects 3 years and 6 months of technical progress since the K-S2 launch.

Arguments in favor of the Pentax K-S2:

• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/30p video.
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/6000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (410 versus 210) out of a single battery charge.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (91 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in February 2015).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the match-up finishes in a tie (10 points each). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the M10-P and the K-S2 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Leica M10-P	..	..	..	..	4/5	Aug 2018	7,995
2.		Pentax K-S2	4.5/5	..	..	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	749
3.		Leica M10-R	4.5/5	..	..	..	4/5	Jul 2020	8,295
4.		Leica M-E Typ 240	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2019	3,999
5.		Leica CL	..	..	..	..	4/5	Nov 2017	2,795
6.		Leica M10	4.5/5	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	6,595
7.		Leica TL2	3.5/5	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2017	1,950
8.		Leica M Typ 262	..	..	..	..	..	Nov 2015	5,195
9.		Leica Q Typ 116	5/5	..	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2015	4,249
10.		Leica M Typ 240	4/5	..	..	4/5	..	Sep 2012	6,950
11.		Leica M9	..	..	..	4.5/5	..	Sep 2009	7,999
12.		Leica M8	..	..	+ +	..	..	Sep 2006	5,499
13.		Pentax KP	4/5	..	82/100	5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	1,099
14.		Pentax K-70	4.5/5	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2016	649
15.		Pentax K-3 II	4.5/5	..	..	5/5	5/5	Apr 2015	1,099
16.		Pentax K-S1	4/5	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2014	749
17.		Pentax K-3	4/5	..	83/100	5/5	5/5	Oct 2013	1,299
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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Specifications: Leica M10-P vs Pentax K-S2

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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