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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
65
Imaging
42
Features
38
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-5 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
  • Revealed April 2007
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-7
  • New Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic L1 versus Pentax K-5, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the L1 (7MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the L1 (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

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The L1 was launched 4 years before the K-5 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the L1 matches up versus the K-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Pentax K-5

 L1 K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic L1

 K-5 L1 
AnnouncedDecember 2010April 2007Newer by 44 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k207kSharper screen (+714k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-5

 L1 K-5 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic L1 comes with outer 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) whilst the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic L1 versus Pentax K-5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the L1 compared to the K-5.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the L1 and K-5 is 65 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions simply by researching technical specs. The picture below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the L1 and K-5.

As you can tell, both the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The L1 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-5 will render extra detail utilizing its extra 9 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged L1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic L1
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5
55
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (7 megapixels)
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic L1 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 Street photography factors
58
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (606g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic L1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Sports photography highlights
41
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7MP)
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic L1 Travel photography details
Pentax K-5 Travel photography details
50
lighter than competition (606g)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (7 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
environment proofing
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic L1 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography info
48
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
78
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic L1
Vlogging with Pentax K-5
9
no video
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1Pentax K-5
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Pentax K-5
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2007-04-11 2010-12-18
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 7MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 3136 x 2352 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 3 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 207k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
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, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum 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 - 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 606 gr (1.34 lbs) 740 gr (1.63 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 All around rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1162
Other
Battery life - 980 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail price $1,500 $800