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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs

Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Renewed by Panasonic LX5
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched October 2009
  • Updated by Pentax K-5
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-7, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the LX3 (10MP) and K-7 (15MP) and the LX3 (1/1.63") and K-7 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The LX3 was brought out 11 months prior to the K-7 and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the LX3 grades vs the K-7 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Pentax K-7

 LX3 K-7 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Panasonic LX3

 K-7 LX3 
LaunchedOctober 2009November 2008More modern by 11 months
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-7

 LX3 K-7 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LX3 has exterior measurements 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 Pentax K-7 has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-7 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the LX3 against the K-7.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the LX3 and K-7 is 91 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to see the gap between sensor sizes purely by checking specs. The pic below should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the LX3 and K-7.

As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The LX3 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Pentax K-7 will give you greater detail having its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged LX3 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Portrait photography camera
40
has manual focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
72
focusing manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-7 Street photography highlights
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
more heavy than average in class (265 grams)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic LX3
Sports photography with Pentax K-7
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
has no phase detect auto focus
69
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Travel photography camera
60
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (265 grams)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
64
weather proofing
MP count good (15MP)
built-in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Landscape photography camera
52
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
missing Timelapse function
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Vlogging info
Pentax K-7 Vlogging info
30
really wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (265g)
25
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Pentax K-7
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Pentax K-7
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2008-11-04 2009-10-02
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.63" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 8.07 x 5.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 44.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 6400 2000
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-60mm (2.5x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.0-2.8 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 4.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.30 m 13.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 grams (0.58 lbs) 750 grams (1.65 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 All around score 39 61
DXO Color Depth score 19.6 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 10.6
DXO Low light score 94 536
Other
Battery life - 980 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $449 $599