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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Announced November 2008
  • Newer Model is Panasonic LX5
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Introduced December 2009
Photography Glossary

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Let's look more closely at the Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-x, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the LX3 (10MP) and the K-x (12MP) is pretty well matched but the LX3 (1/1.63") and K-x (APS-C) posses different sensor dimensions.

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The LX3 was announced 13 months prior to the K-x which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a short summation of how the LX3 matches up versus the K-x in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Pentax K-x

 LX3 K-x 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic LX3

 K-x LX3 
IntroducedDecember 2009November 2008More recent by 13 months

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-x

 LX3 K-x 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LX3 enjoys outer dimensions of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-x has dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-x in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the LX3 against the K-x.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the LX3 and K-x is 91 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor measurements just by checking specs. The visual underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the LX3 and K-x.

All in all, both of those cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The LX3 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-x will give more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older LX3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic LX3
Portrait photography with Pentax K-x
40
you can focus manually
supports RAW formats
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.63")
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Street photography details
Pentax K-x Street photography details
60
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/1.63")
heavier than competition (265g)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-x Sports photography highlights
27
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect autofocus
61
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery power (1,900 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-x Travel photography factors
60
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (265 grams)
low MP (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
54
good battery power (1,900 CIPA)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-x Landscape photography info
52
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.63")
does not have Time Lapse recording
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (1,900 per charge)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic LX3
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
30
really wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
heavier than competition (265g)
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic support
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Pentax K-x
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Pentax K-x
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2008-11-04 2009-12-23
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.63" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 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
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Maximum boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-60mm (2.5x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.0-2.8 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 4.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.30 m 16.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180s
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) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 grams (0.58 lbs) 580 grams (1.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 39 72
DXO Color Depth score 19.6 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 12.5
DXO Low light score 94 811
Other
Battery life - 1900 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $449 $600