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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7 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
  • Introduced April 2007
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released October 2009
  • Later Model is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Lets look closer at the Panasonic L1 versus Pentax K-7, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the L1 (7MP) and K-7 (15MP) and the L1 (Four Thirds) and K-7 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The L1 was brought out 3 years prior to the K-7 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the L1 grades versus the K-7 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Pentax K-7

 L1 K-7 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Panasonic L1

 K-7 L1 
ReleasedOctober 2009April 2007More modern by 30 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k207kClearer screen (+714k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-7

 L1 K-7 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic L1 has outer 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) while the Pentax K-7 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic L1 versus Pentax K-7 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the L1 and the K-7.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the L1 and K-7 is 65 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to see the gap in sensor sizes merely by viewing specs. The pic underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L1 and K-7.

All in all, both of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The L1 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-7 will provide you with more detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged L1 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic L1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography advice
54
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (7MP)
72
you can focus manually
decent MP (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic L1 Street photography information
Pentax K-7 Street photography information
58
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average (606 grams)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic L1 Sports photography information
Pentax K-7 Sports photography information
40
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (7 megapixels)
69
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic L1 Travel photography features
Pentax K-7 Travel photography features
50
lighter than average (606 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (7 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
64
weather sealing
decent MP (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic L1 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-7 Landscape photography features
47
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5")
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (7 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
77
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic L1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-7 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
25
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1Pentax K-7
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Pentax K-7
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2007-04-11 2009-10-02
Body design 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 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
Max resolution 3136 x 2352 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 1600 2000
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 207k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 13.00 m
Flash options 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
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 606 grams (1.34 pounds) 750 grams (1.65 pounds)
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 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC card SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $1,500 $599