Panasonic LF1 vs Pentax K-3 II

Lets look closer at the Panasonic LF1 versus Pentax K-3 II, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the LF1 (12MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the LF1 (1/1.7") and K-3 II (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The LF1 was revealed 17 months before the K-3 II making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic LF1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the LF1 matches up vs the K-3 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 and Pentax K-3 II. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic LF1 Gallery and Pentax K-3 II Gallery.

In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LF1 has outer measurements of 103mm x 62mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 II has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic LF1 versus Pentax K-3 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the LF1 against the K-3 II.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the LF1 and K-3 II is 92 and 59 respectively.

In many cases, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The pic below might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the LF1 and K-3 II.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The LF1 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-3 II will render greater detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged LF1 will be behind in sensor technology.