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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-5 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
  • Launched November 2008
  • Updated by Panasonic LX5
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-7
  • Updated by Pentax K-5 IIs
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-5, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the LX3 (10MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the LX3 (1/1.63") and K-5 (APS-C) use different sensor dimensions.

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The LX3 was launched 3 years earlier than the K-5 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the LX3 matches up versus the K-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Pentax K-5

 LX3 K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic LX3

 K-5 LX3 
IntroducedDecember 2010November 2008Newer by 25 months
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-5

 LX3 K-5 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic LX3 enjoys outside dimensions of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the LX3 versus the K-5.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the LX3 and K-5 is 91 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions simply by looking at technical specs. The pic below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the LX3 and K-5.

As you have seen, both of those cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The LX3 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-5 will resolve more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged LX3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography information
40
focusing manually
supports RAW formats
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
73
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
heavier than competition in class (265g)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
lack of phase detect autofocus
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Travel photography info
Pentax K-5 Travel photography info
60
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (265g)
MP count low (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
65
environment sealing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography features
52
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
lack of Time Lapse function
78
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 as a Vlogging camera
30
relatively wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
does not have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
heavier than competition in class (265 grams)
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Pentax K-5
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Pentax K-5
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2008-11-04 2010-12-18
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime II
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 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-60mm (2.5x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-2.8 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 4.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format - Motion JPEG
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 Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265 gr (0.58 lbs) 740 gr (1.63 lbs)
Dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 39 82
DXO Color Depth rating 19.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 14.1
DXO Low light rating 94 1162
Other
Battery life - 980 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $449 $800