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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced November 2008
  • Refreshed by Panasonic LX5
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Launched May 2012
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Panasonic LX3 versus Pentax K-01, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the LX3 (10MP) and K-01 (16MP) and the LX3 (1/1.63") and K-01 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

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The LX3 was released 4 years prior to the K-01 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the LX3 matches up vs the K-01 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Pentax K-01

 LX3 K-01 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic LX3

 K-01 LX3 
LaunchedMay 2012November 2008More modern by 43 months
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-01

 LX3 K-01 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic LX3 features external dimensions of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-01 has proportions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") along with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic LX3 versus Pentax K-01 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the LX3 compared to the K-01.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the LX3 and K-01 is 91 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes purely by reviewing technical specs. The picture here will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the LX3 and K-01.

As you have seen, both of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The LX3 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-01 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots more aggressively. The more aged LX3 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Portrait photography camera
40
you can focus manually
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
74
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Street photography advice
Pentax K-01 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
more heavy than average (265g)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
more heavy than competitors in class (561 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Sports photography features
Pentax K-01 Sports photography features
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
has no phase detect auto focus
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (540 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Travel photography camera
60
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (265 grams)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
better than average battery life (540 per charge)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
more heavy than competitors in class (561g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Landscape photography camera
52
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
does not have Timelapse mode
80
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (540 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Vlogging info
Pentax K-01 Vlogging info
30
pretty wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than average (265g)
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors in class (561 grams)
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Pentax K-01
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Pentax K-01
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2008-11-04 2012-05-30
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.63" APS-C
Sensor measurements 8.07 x 5.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 44.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 81
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-60mm (2.5x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-2.8 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 4.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265g (0.58 lbs) 561g (1.24 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 39 79
DXO Color Depth rating 19.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 12.9
DXO Low light rating 94 1135
Other
Battery life - 540 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $449 $899