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Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
73
Overall
59
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Panasonic LX100
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-75mm (F1.7-2.8) lens
  • 393g - 115 x 66 x 55mm
  • Introduced September 2014
  • Newer Model is Panasonic LX100 II
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Expand 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
  • Superseded the Pentax K-7
  • Successor is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax K-5, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the LX100 (13MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is relatively close but the LX100 (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The LX100 was launched 3 years later than the K-5 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the LX100 matches up versus the K-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX100 over the Pentax K-5

 LX100 K-5 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014December 2010More recent by 46 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic LX100

 K-5 LX100 

Common features in the Panasonic LX100 and Pentax K-5

 LX100 K-5 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution921k921kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic LX100 comes with outside dimensions of 115mm x 66mm x 55mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 2.2") accompanied by a weight of 393 grams (0.87 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Check the Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax K-5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the LX100 and the K-5.

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the LX100 and K-5 is 83 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to picture the difference in sensor measurements merely by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the LX100 and K-5.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The LX100 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-5 will render greater detail utilizing its extra 3MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more recent LX100 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX100 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography features
70
manual focus
resolution is good (13 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX100 Street photography features
Pentax K-5 Street photography features
76
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
offers focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX100 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
67
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (13 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
lack of phase detect autofocus
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX100 Travel photography features
Pentax K-5 Travel photography features
75
offers focus via touch
resolution is good (13MP)
fairly wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.7)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
65
weather proofing
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LX100
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5
73
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.7)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (13 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX100 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 as a Vlogging camera
35
fairly wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.7)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have mic socket
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic port
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX100 and Pentax K-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100Pentax K-5
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 Pentax K-5
Category Large Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-09-15 2010-12-18
Body design Large Sensor Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 13MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4112 x 3088 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 49 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-75mm (3.1x) -
Highest aperture f/1.7-2.8 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,764 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 11.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (with included external flash at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 393g (0.87 pounds) 740g (1.63 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 66 x 55mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 2.2") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 67 82
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 14.1
DXO Low light score 553 1162
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 980 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $800 $800