Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7
65 Imaging
41 Features
38 Overall
39


60 Imaging
54 Features
69 Overall
60
Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and Pentax K-7. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic L1 Gallery and Pentax K-7 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2009 | ![]() | April 2007 | More modern by 30 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 207k | Clearer screen (+714k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-7
L1 | K-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 | Pentax 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 |