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Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Leica Digilux 3 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Leica Digilux 3
(Full Review)
  • 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
  • Announced September 2006
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Leica Digilux 3 versus Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Leica and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the Digilux 3 (7MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the Digilux 3 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The Digilux 3 was revealed 8 years prior to the K-3 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the Digilux 3 matches up vs the K-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica Digilux 3 over the Pentax K-3

 Digilux 3 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Leica Digilux 3

 K-3 Digilux 3 
AnnouncedApril 2014September 2006More modern by 92 months
Display dimension3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1037k207kSharper display (+830k dot)

Common features in the Leica Digilux 3 and Pentax K-3

 Digilux 3 K-3 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Leica Digilux 3 offers physical measurements of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") along with a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Leica Digilux 3 versus Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the Digilux 3 and the K-3.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the Digilux 3 and K-3 is 65 and 59 respectively.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by researching technical specs. The pic here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the Digilux 3 and K-3.

As you have seen, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The Digilux 3 having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-3 will provide you with extra detail because of its extra 17MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged Digilux 3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography info
54
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (7MP)
79
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Street photography features
Pentax K-3 Street photography features
58
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (606 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Sports photography information
Pentax K-3 Sports photography information
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (7MP)
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery (560 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Travel photography info
Pentax K-3 Travel photography info
50
lighter than competition (606g)
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
low megapixels (7MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
60
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery (560 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
47
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.5")
no image stabilization
low megapixels (7 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
low battery (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-3 Vlogging highlights
9
lack of video recording
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic port
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Digilux 3 and Pentax K-3
 Leica Digilux 3Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Leica Pentax
Model Leica Digilux 3 Pentax K-3
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2006-09-14 2014-04-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 7MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 3136 x 2352 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 3 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 207 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.47x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed B+s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 606g (1.34 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1216
Other
Battery life - 560 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/MMC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Two
Launch price $1,999 $639