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Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Leica Digilux 3 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Leica Digilux 3
(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
  • Released September 2006
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced January 2006
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Leica Digilux 3 and Pentax ist DL2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Pentax. The image resolution of the Digilux 3 (7MP) and the ist DL2 (6MP) is very well matched but the Digilux 3 (Four Thirds) and ist DL2 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The Digilux 3 was revealed 8 months after the ist DL2 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the Digilux 3 grades versus the ist DL2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica Digilux 3 over the Pentax ist DL2

 Digilux 3 ist DL2 
AnnouncedSeptember 2006January 2006More modern by 8 months

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Leica Digilux 3

 ist DL2 Digilux 3 
Display resolution210k207kCrisper display (+3k dot)

Common features in the Leica Digilux 3 and Pentax ist DL2

 Digilux 3 ist DL2 
Manually focus More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.5"2.5"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica Digilux 3 offers exterior dimensions of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") with a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) and the Pentax ist DL2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Analyze the Leica Digilux 3 and Pentax ist DL2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the Digilux 3 vs the ist DL2.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Digilux 3 and ist DL2 is 65 and 69 respectively.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading through technical specs. The pic below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the Digilux 3 and ist DL2.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Digilux 3 having a tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Leica Digilux 3 will resolve extra detail because of its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The more modern Digilux 3 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Portrait photography camera
54
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (7MP)
50
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
low resolution (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Street photography features
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography features
58
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors (606g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (565g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Sports photography highlights
Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography highlights
40
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7 megapixels)
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Travel photography information
Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography information
50
lighter than competitors (606g)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (7MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
52
lighter than competition (565 grams)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low resolution (6 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Landscape photography camera
47
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7MP)
no Timelapse mode
46
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.5")
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (6 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica Digilux 3
Vlogging with Pentax ist DL2
9
no video shooting
22
lighter than competition (565g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low res video ( resolution)
no mic jack
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Digilux 3 and Pentax ist DL2
 Leica Digilux 3Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Make Leica Pentax
Model Leica Digilux 3 Pentax ist DL2
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2006-09-14 2006-01-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 7 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 3136 x 2352 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 3 5
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Total lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 2.5"
Resolution of display 207 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.47x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed B+s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 606 grams (1.34 lbs) 565 grams (1.25 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 65
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 639
Other
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/MMC card SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $1,999 -