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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Panasonic L1
(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
  • Released April 2007
Pentax K-3 II
(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
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-3 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the L1 (7MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the L1 (Four Thirds) and K-3 II (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

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The L1 was announced 9 years earlier than the K-3 II which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the L1 scores against the K-3 II when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Pentax K-3 II

 L1 K-3 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Panasonic L1

 K-3 II L1 
RevealedApril 2015April 2007Newer by 97 months
Display sizing3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1037k207kClearer display (+830k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-3 II

 L1 K-3 II 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic L1 offers exterior measurements 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 K-3 II has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-3 II in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the L1 against the K-3 II.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the L1 and K-3 II is 65 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions just by looking at specifications. The image underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the L1 and K-3 II.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The L1 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-3 II will give you extra detail with its extra 17MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged L1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

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

Panasonic L1 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Street photography highlights
58
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (606g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
great high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic L1 Sports photography features
Pentax K-3 II Sports photography features
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect AF
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (7 megapixels)
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
low battery pack (720 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic L1 Travel photography information
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography information
50
lighter than competitors in class (606g)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low resolution (7MP)
display is not selfie friendly
56
weather proofing
MP count decent (24MP)
low battery pack (720 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic L1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography advice
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")
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (7MP)
lack of Timelapse function
78
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
2 card slots
low battery pack (720 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic L1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-3 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Pentax K-3 II
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2007-04-11 2015-04-23
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 measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 7 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3136 x 2352 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
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
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3.2"
Screen resolution 207k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 8.3 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 606g (1.34 lbs) 800g (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 Overall score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.6
DXO Low light score not tested 1106
Other
Battery life - 720 pictures
Battery style - 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 2
Price at release $1,500 $829