Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-7
65 Imaging
41 Features
38 Overall
39


60 Imaging
54 Features
69 Overall
60
Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
- Launched September 2006
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 2000 (Raise to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Revealed October 2009
- Later Model is Pentax K-5

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-7 Overview
On this page, we will be matching up the Leica Digilux 3 and Pentax K-7, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Leica and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the Digilux 3 (7MP) and K-7 (15MP) and the Digilux 3 (Four Thirds) and K-7 (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

The Digilux 3 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the K-7 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the Digilux 3 scores vs the K-7 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-7 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Leica Digilux 3 and Pentax K-7. The full galleries are available at Leica Digilux 3 Gallery and Pentax K-7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica Digilux 3 over the Pentax K-7
Digilux 3 | K-7 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Leica Digilux 3
K-7 | Digilux 3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | October 2009 | ![]() | September 2006 | More modern by 37 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 207k | Clearer screen (+714k dot) |
Common features in the Leica Digilux 3 and Pentax K-7
Digilux 3 | K-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica Digilux 3 offers external measurements of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) while the Pentax K-7 has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).
Check out the Leica Digilux 3 and Pentax K-7 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the Digilux 3 compared to the K-7.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Digilux 3 and K-7 is 65 and 60 respectively.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison
Usually, its tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes merely by viewing specs. The image underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the Digilux 3 and K-7.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Digilux 3 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-7 will provide you with more detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged Digilux 3 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications
Leica Digilux 3 | Pentax K-7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Leica | Pentax |
Model | Leica Digilux 3 | Pentax K-7 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2006-09-14 | 2009-10-02 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Prime II |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 7 megapixel | 15 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3136 x 2352 | 4672 x 3104 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 2000 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 3 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 45 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.5" | 3" |
Display resolution | 207 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | - | TFT color LCD with AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.47x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | B+ seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 13.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video format | - | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 606g (1.34 lbs) | 750g (1.65 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 61 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 10.6 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 536 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 980 shots |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/MMC card | SD/SDHC/MMC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $1,999 | $599 |