Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic LZ40

Below is a detailed overview of the Panasonic LX3 versus Panasonic LZ40, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the LX3 (10MP) and LZ40 (20MP) and the LX3 (1/1.63") and LZ40 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The LX3 was launched 6 years prior to the LZ40 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the LX3 matches up vs the LZ40 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic LX3 Gallery & Panasonic LZ40 Gallery.

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic LX3 has got outside dimensions of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ40 has measurements of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") with a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs).

See the Panasonic LX3 versus Panasonic LZ40 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the LX3 and the LZ40.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the LX3 and LZ40 is 91 and 67 respectively.

Typically, it is very hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements just by looking through technical specs. The photograph underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the LX3 and LZ40.

As you have seen, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The LX3 because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic LZ40 will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively. The older LX3 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.