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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-1 II 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
  • Released November 2008
  • New Model is Panasonic LX5
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-1
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Here, we are looking at the Panasonic LX3 versus Pentax K-1 II, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the LX3 (10MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the LX3 (1/1.63") and K-1 II (Full frame) provide different sensor sizes.

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The LX3 was introduced 10 years prior to the K-1 II and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the LX3 grades versus the K-1 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Pentax K-1 II

 LX3 K-1 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Panasonic LX3

 K-1 II LX3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018November 2008Fresher by 113 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-1 II

 LX3 K-1 II 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic LX3 offers physical dimensions of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 II has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic LX3 versus Pentax K-1 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the LX3 against the K-1 II.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the LX3 and K-1 II is 91 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to picture the difference between sensor sizing simply by looking at specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the LX3 and K-1 II.

All in all, each of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The LX3 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-1 II will resolve extra detail using its extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older LX3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic LX3
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1 II
40
has manual focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
86
focusing manually
sensor resolution is high (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Street photography features
Pentax K-1 II Street photography features
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/1.63")
more heavy than average in class (265g)
70
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
very good high ISO (819,200)
heavier than competitors in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Sports photography features
Pentax K-1 II Sports photography features
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
lacks phase detect AF
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is high (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (4.4 frames per second)
terrible battery life (670 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Travel photography info
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography info
60
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (265g)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
53
weather sealing
sensor resolution is high (36 megapixels)
terrible battery life (670 per charge)
heavier than competitors in class (1,010 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography features
52
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
no Timelapse recording
82
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is high (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (819,200)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
has double storage slots
terrible battery life (670 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Vlogging info
Pentax K-1 II Vlogging info
30
really wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
more heavy than average in class (265g)
32
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic port
does not contain selfie friendly screen
heavier than competitors in class (1,010g)
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-1 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-11-04 2018-02-22
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - PRIME IV
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.63" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 8.07 x 5.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 44.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 36MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 6400 819200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF4
Lens focal range 24-60mm (2.5x) -
Largest aperture f/2.0-2.8 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 4.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 4.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.30 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265g (0.58 lbs) 1010g (2.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 39 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 19.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 94 not tested
Other
Battery life - 670 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots One Dual
Price at release $449 $1,737