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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic L1
(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
  • Introduced April 2007
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
  • Launched April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the L1 (7MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the L1 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The L1 was manufactured 8 years before the K-3 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the L1 grades against the K-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Pentax K-3

 L1 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic L1

 K-3 L1 
LaunchedApril 2014April 2007More modern by 85 months
Display sizing3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1037k207kCrisper display (+830k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-3

 L1 K-3 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic L1 has exterior dimensions of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the L1 compared to the K-3.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the L1 and K-3 is 65 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes merely by looking through technical specs. The pic here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the L1 and K-3.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The L1 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-3 will result in greater detail due to its extra 17 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged L1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic L1 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography features
54
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
MP count low (7MP)
79
manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic L1 Street photography details
Pentax K-3 Street photography details
58
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (606g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic L1 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-3 Sports photography factors
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
max fps low (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (7 megapixels)
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (560 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic L1 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-3 Travel photography factors
50
lighter than competition in class (606 grams)
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
MP count low (7 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
60
weather proof
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (560 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic L1 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
47
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (7MP)
no Timelapse function
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
terrible battery power (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic L1
Vlogging with Pentax K-3
9
can't record video
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Pentax K-3
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2007-04-11 2014-04-10
Physical type 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 surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 7 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 3136 x 2352 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 1600 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 3 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 207k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m 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
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 606 gr (1.34 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
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
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Dual
Price at launch $1,500 $639