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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax E90

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Pentax Optio E90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax E90 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
  • Announced November 2008
  • Replacement is Panasonic LX5
Pentax E90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Revealed January 2010
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax E90 Overview

The following is a complete comparison of the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax E90, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the LX3 (10MP) and the E90 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the LX3 (1/1.63") and E90 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizing.

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The LX3 was brought out 14 months earlier than the E90 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple summation of how the LX3 grades vs the E90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Pentax E90

 LX3 E90 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Panasonic LX3

 E90 LX3 
RevealedJanuary 2010November 2008Newer by 14 months

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax E90

 LX3 E90 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LX3 has got external measurements 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 E90 has dimensions of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax E90 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the LX3 and the E90.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax E90 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the LX3 and E90 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to picture the gap in sensor dimensions simply by checking out a spec sheet. The pic here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the LX3 and E90.

As you can see, both the cameras have the same resolution albeit different sensor dimensions. The LX3 features the bigger sensor which should make getting bokeh less difficult. The more aged LX3 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Portrait photography info
Pentax E90 Portrait photography info
40
you can focus manually
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
19
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic LX3
Street photography with Pentax E90
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
heavier than others (265g)
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Sports photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
lacks phase detect AF
16
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Travel photography camera
60
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others (265 grams)
megapixel count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
50
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low resolution (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Landscape photography info
Pentax E90 Landscape photography info
52
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
22
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax E90 Vlogging highlights
30
quite wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than others (265g)
22
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax E90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Pentax E90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Pentax Optio E90
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Pentax Optio E90
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2008-11-04 2010-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 44.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-60mm (2.5x) 32-95mm (3.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-2.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 6cm
Focal length multiplier 4.5 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 8.30 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265g (0.58 pounds) 145g (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 39 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 19.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 94 not tested
Other
Battery ID - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $449 $100