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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-3 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
  • Updated by Panasonic LX5
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the LX3 (10MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the LX3 (1/1.63") and K-3 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The LX3 was manufactured 6 years before the K-3 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the LX3 grades against the K-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Pentax K-3

 LX3 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic LX3

 K-3 LX3 
AnnouncedApril 2014November 2008More modern by 66 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-3

 LX3 K-3 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic LX3 comes with exterior measurements of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has sizing of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the LX3 versus the K-3.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the LX3 and K-3 is 91 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The picture below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the LX3 and K-3.

As you have seen, both of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The LX3 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-3 will give more detail due to its extra 14 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged LX3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
40
focusing manually
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
79
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/1.63")
more heavy than competition (265g)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Sports photography features
Pentax K-3 Sports photography features
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
has no phase detect auto focus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
low battery pack (560 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic LX3
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
60
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (265 grams)
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
60
weather proof
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
flash built-in
low battery pack (560 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
52
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
doesn't have Timelapse recording
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
low battery pack (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Vlogging info
Pentax K-3 Vlogging info
30
decently wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than competition (265 grams)
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Pentax K-3
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Pentax K-3
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-11-04 2014-04-10
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.63" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 8.07 x 5.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 44.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-60mm (2.5x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-2.8 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 4.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265g (0.58 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 39 80
DXO Color Depth score 19.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 13.4
DXO Low light score 94 1216
Other
Battery life - 560 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One 2
Cost at release $449 $639