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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Released November 2008
  • New Model is Panasonic LX5
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Panasonic LX3 versus Pentax K-r, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the LX3 (10MP) and the K-r (12MP) is relatively close but the LX3 (1/1.63") and K-r (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The LX3 was unveiled 3 years prior to the K-r and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief overview of how the LX3 scores against the K-r in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Pentax K-r

 LX3 K-r 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic LX3

 K-r LX3 
RevealedMarch 2011November 2008Fresher by 28 months
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-r

 LX3 K-r 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LX3 features exterior dimensions of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax K-r has dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic LX3 versus Pentax K-r in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the LX3 versus the K-r.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the LX3 and K-r is 91 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to see the gap in sensor sizing only by looking through specifications. The graphic here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the LX3 and K-r.

Plainly, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The LX3 using its smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh tougher and the Pentax K-r will result in greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older LX3 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-r Portrait photography features
40
has manual focus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.63")
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Street photography information
Pentax K-r Street photography information
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/1.63")
heavier than others (265g)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-r Sports photography factors
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/1.63")
lacks phase detect autofocus
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
low battery (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Travel photography details
Pentax K-r Travel photography details
60
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than others (265g)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
47
built-in flash
low battery (470 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LX3
Landscape photography with Pentax K-r
52
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/1.63")
no Time Lapse function
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery (470 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Vlogging features
Pentax K-r Vlogging features
30
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
heavier than others (265 grams)
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Pentax K-r
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Pentax K-r
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2008-11-04 2011-03-11
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.63" APS-C
Sensor measurements 8.07 x 5.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 44.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
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
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 grams (0.58 pounds) 598 grams (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 39 72
DXO Color Depth score 19.6 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 12.4
DXO Low light score 94 755
Other
Battery life - 470 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $449 $1,100